PTC questions
 

Hello,
So as I have stated in other threads, my 94 850 has been having PCV related issues. I have a PCV kit sitting here, just looking for time to put it in. Anyway, after more research the PTC came into consideration. Now I am thinking the PTC was the culprit because the top vent house has a normal style hose clamp instead of the Oetiker style. This hints to me that maybe the system has already been serviced. But tonight I cleaned out my PTC, which was almost blocked. I'm going to put everything back together tomorrow in the light. My question is what exactly does the PTC do and how does it work? Sorry if the post seems all over the place, but I thought the "extra" info might lend a view into my thought process on the issue.

The PTC resistor is basically a heating element that keeps condensation in the PCV system from freezing in cold weather. If it was plugged, there's a good chance your breather box and/or oil pan are sludged too. Do you have pressure in the crankcase?

The bottom of the PCVs black box is where that clogging can take place. It's best to try and make sure the passage from the bottom of the black box into the engine block and then into the pan is clear.

ES6T: I do have some pressure. I am planning on replacing the kit tomorrow or Friday.
Kiss: I have read that. What is the best way to clear those? With chemicals or just scrape it out?

You will only be able to see the ports through the block to outside. The only other way to see the entire passage is to pull the pan.

You can scrape out what you can, and use carb cleaner to get out what you can't see. Before you put it together, blow compressed air into the lower hole and see of you can hear the air coming out of the oil dipstick tube hole. Then, change the oil.

thanks for the tips. ill make sure everything is cleaned well before re-assembly.
Can someone post a list of the tools they needed to complete the whole job? I don't want to be half way through and not have what I need.

LOL, good luck with that. I went back and forth to the store 2 or 3 times when I did my first PCV job. Took me between 6 and 7 hours. Now I can do them in 2-1/2 hours.

The link on Matt's site is about the best that I have seen.

I'll check that one out then. I don't have the luxury of going back and forth because this is my only functioning car at the moment lol