Buying Quality Car Parts: PCV Valves and Filters

Introduction

If you are in the market for car parts, you likely have at least some questions. Through this article, you are provided with some basic information about some of the more common car parts that people find themselves in need of from time to time.

Car Parts: The PCV

The PCV—which stands for positive crankcase ventilation—is a system that provides a constant supply of fresh air to the crankcase of the internal combustion engine. When an engine runs, it produces what is often called “blow by” gasses, which are gasses that escape the piston rings. These gasses contain hydrocarbons (unburned fuel), water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other gasses that can damage an engine. Eventually these gasses will begin to condense into a highly-damaging precipitate which will cause problems ranging from clogged air conduction passages to raised emissions. The PCV prevents much of this from happening by keeping the air clean through ventilation.

One of the first pollution emission control devices to be mass produced and required on automobiles, the PCV valve works by rerouting the blow by gasses produced in the everyday use of your car and the PCV’s breather tube supplies the fresh air from an air cleaner. It does this by sending them back into the intake manifold, where it’s all reburned. This process eliminates the emissions in and around the crankcase that not only creates air pollution itself, but greatly reduces damage to the engine and components.

The PCV system also removes the vapors which combine with the corrosives to form the sludge. It does this by the use of a filter that is designed to trap mists and particulates. Another advantage of this filter is that it also helps screen out other flammable gasses and debris which could cause explosions inside the intake manifold.

This system, while one of the oldest pollution control systems in existence on current automobiles, is one of the most efficient means to reduce pollution and works simply by reburning unused fuel and keeping other parts of the engine cleaner than they normally would have. The operation depends on the intake manifold having a lower pressure than that of the crankcase; should it become higher for some reason, the valve will close to prevent re-entry of the gasses into the crankcase.

Car Parts and Car Repair Specialists

The PCV system is best repaired by a specialist. Because it is directly connected to the engine—and malfunctions can cause serious problems and damage to engines—it’s constantly in motion and subject to wear. Some manufacturers recommend that the PCV valve be replaced when the owner has spark plugs replaced. Frequent oil changes also affect the life of the PCV, since much of its operation depends on tiny oil mists that circulate through the valve along with the air.