This has me a little puzzled... When I picked up my wagon, I drove the car a little and pulled the dip stick to check the condition of the PCV system. I figured that I would see smoke coming out of the tube and it would be clogged and I would replace it soon. So I pulled the stick and yes it was smoking pretty good.

Well, I've driven about 2,000 miles and thought I'd double check to see how bad it was smoking. I drove about 5 miles which took me 30 minutes. Good and warmed up, especially since it's 90+ degrees. Well, I got back home, pulled the stick, and NO SMOKE . I'm puzzled.

My guess is that is it NOT clogged, but I had a false possitive because the car had been sitting and had not been driven over 100 miles when I initially checked it. From what I can tell the car was sitting at least 5 months, then it was awaken for me. What do you guys think? Go ahead and replace the PCV or not???

 

no, im sure its clogged. Better safe than sorry.
maybe this time was a fluke.

 

Is there any other way to tell if it's clogged? It has no other signs.

 

Not really. I would replace it. It's one of those things that if it is clogged and you leave it, will eventually blow out your other seals, like your cam seals and your RMS.

 

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!! I wish there was a way to check it. This is one of those things where SERVICE RECORDS would help. Those things take me 6 hours to do.

 

rspi: 6 hours? seriously? I've done 3 or 4 now and have it down to about 2 1/2 hours.

Just remember to order the intake manifold gasket when you order the pcv system - I forgot that the first time....

 

To jump in on this discussion is one that also has me puzzled. My '96 I bought with 100,000 on the clock. Did a stage one. Now it has 173xxx and I have not done anything to the PVC. No smoke, no oil on top of motor, etc. In fact the mechanic who did the initial check out though the seal between the engine and trans was going as a leak started. After two years, that leak has stopped and I recently fixed the lower turbo hose that was messing up the right side of the motor. So underneath is pretty clean.

To tackle the PVC and take of the intake, I just hate to open up motors when I might not have too. It seems this is a long procedue just like rspi mentioned. So how often do you guys clean out the PVC system?

 

The owners manual recommends inspecting it every 60,000. If clogged, it's best to simply replace it. I don't want to do it unless I have to.

 

Hows the amount of oil around and in the PTC?

Cant we blow air (not high pressure of course) back into the lines to see if its clogged?
I would inagine if its not clogged you would hear the air escaping in the box behind the intake.

 

I don't know if mine was ever done, but changing it anyway! 158k on it! Kit comes with all the hard and soft lines canister and intake gaskets $120! Not bad I think?

 

FCPEuro has it for $115 +10% off using volvoforums10 code and free shipping because its over $100.

They have been shipping really fast lately, I ordered my new studs and they got here in 1 day

 

I've done 2 of them. One on my yellow sedan and the other on my daughters S70. I did NOT do the gasket on either, well, maybe I did. I can't remember. I got one kit from iPd and the other from FCP. I actually like the kit from iPd a little better. Anyway, the job sucked, not hard, just dirty and time consuming.

I'm starting to wonder if gentle driving has anything to do with these things getting plugged up. Maybe WOT driving makes them get clogged up faster. These lines don't look new but they appear to be in good condition.

I do not see any evidance of blow by. No fresh oil near the filler, the dip stick is snug, all connections seem tight. I think I'm going to clean the motor soon so things will look better.

 

Yes, there is a way to check PCV. I have the instructions on my other laptop which crashed and being worked on.

Basically, take out the dipstick. Insert a vacuum gauge into the tube. At idle, vacuum should be 2-3 HGa. If not, then there is blockage.

Next, pinch the vacuum line from the TB to the PTC. Use a piece of rubber and your pliers. If engine speed remains the same, PCV is clogged. Otherwise PCV is good.

 

Correct, max blow-by is at WOT, which means more oil vapor through the lines, ie more junk through the turbo and IC. Cans are a good idea.

Another thing we do not bring up as often is that besides oil, maybe crude pieces go through the Oil Separator to the crankcase, to the oil pick-screen. This means worse lubrication, which means ring-wear, more junk etc. etc.

 

I do NOT understand what you are trying to say.

 

Can you find a picture of this, highlight where to pinch, and post it?

 

I don't have a photo. There is a rubber vacuum line that goes from the PTC to the Vacuum Tree on the Throttle body. Just pinch it somewhere in the middle where you can -- the idea is to block the vacuum flow and see if RPMs drop. Here is the long-version of the Testing Procedures Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV)