Ok...I didn't know where to post this however since it sorta has to do with my Open Air Element Cleaner I felt here was a good place to start.

Well like alot of you here, I installed an Open air element on my TBI based engine. Well once you install the open air element the tube that goes from the crankcase to the air box is disconnected as it won't fit. Well I went to canadian tire and bought an intimidator crank case filter which just plugs into the hole. Not sure if this is the route that alot of you took however this is what my mechanic told me to do.

Well tonight we went out for a cruise after getting off work. Car was driving fine, everything seemed ok until we pulled into a coffee shop cuz I had to go to the washroom. As I came out my buddy had the hood popped on teh car and noticed that there was black smoke come out of the crankcase breather.

I haven't had a chance to check my oil yet. I am running mobil 1 full synthetic oil. my kPa guage was about 100kPa and temps were about 1/4.

Is the black smoke supposed to come out of that filter? Should I have the crank case valve hooked up a different way? Any advice would be greatly apreciated.

 

when was the last time you changed your pcv valve? Mine started smoking from the push in breather on the valve cover, i changed the pcv valve smoke went away.

Kevin

 

thats weird, i have a push in crankcase filter and i havent had any problems. Are you sure the smoke was coming from the filter. Is there a possibility you had oil on the exhaust manifolds, or intake, or valve covers and it was just burning off. Also, how long has it been since you changed your PCV valve.

 

Guaranteed it was coming from the filter. I am gonna look into that PCV valve as that could be the cause. Is there a way I can test the PCV Valve to see if its doing what it should be doing....or should I just go out and buy a new one?

I am not sure when the valve was last changed. I haven't done it yet and the previous owner was a moron so chances are it has never been done. I think I will give that a try and see where I stand.

 

just go and buy a new one, they are only a few bucks. If you dont know the last time it was replaced or cant remember, then definately change it.

 

is there a model number on the valve...or do I just go to my local car store and tell them what I have and what I need?

 

at the kragen auto parts where i live they have a FRAM booklet right next to the PCV valves, crankcase filters, fuel filters, etc. Just look up your car and you should be able to find it, or the person at the parts counter should be able to look up the part number for you.

 

Ok...I just installed the PCV Valve. Wow it was easier then I thought. The one that was on there was lookin pretty rough. It was pretty carbon'ed up. I read on the package for the PCV that changing the valve can fix problems such as hard starts and rough idle. What does the PCV Valve do that makes this possible?

 

I'm not sure about the hard starts but rough idles can be caused by vac. leaks and when the pcv valve sticks open it is a vac. leak.

DM

 

Well the PCV Valve definately fixed a few problems. The major one being the black smoke from the crankcase. Also I no longer have the smell of carbon comming through my vents "which probably is tied to the black smoke" or the hardcore rich smell of gas comeing through my vents when teh heater is turned on.

Thanks for the advice. Seems that this PCV valve has been craven attention as I asked the previous owner when it was last changed and her response was "whats a pcv valve". Thanks again!