The PCV, or positive crankcase ventilation, is a relatively simple system, but one that can literally grind your vehicle’s engine to pieces if it happens to be functioning incorrectly. The degree of damage that this part can cause it literally astounding, so being sure that the PCV valve hose and the associated grommets are in good working order is a great way to keep your vehicle in good working order.
Fortunately, these components are not very costly at all. It is important to ensure that the PCV valve hose has a tight connection with the crankcase, which will keep the line from drawing air. This would allow unfiltered air to enter the crankcase, which in turn could overload the oil filter and damage the bearings. This part functions as a bridge between the crankcase and the positive crankcase ventilation valve, which is one of the parts that helps reduce the emissions coming from the engine.
Here are a few tips when choosing the right PCV valve for your vehicle:
Location: The PCV valve hose can be located under either the driver’s or passenger’s side of the vehicle; read the description carefully for the part and be sure it matches the location where your PCV valve hose can be found before you purchase it.
Car specific: While there are universal fit products available, it is always best to get one that is specifically made to fit the make and model of your vehicle to ensure the tightest fit.
OEM for peace of mind: With a part as critical as this one is, buying OEM parts is another way to ensure that this relatively inexpensive part functions properly and fits well – and doesn’t cause very expensive problems to other parts like the engine and crankcase.
It’s not a bad idea to replace the PCV valve hose whenever you change the air filter to ensure that you always have a properly-installed and highly functional hose bringing adequate positive ventilation to your engine.
YourMechanic supplies top-quality PCV valve hoses to our certified mobile technicians. We can also install a PCV valve hose that you've purchased. Click here to get a quote and more information on PCV valve hose replacement.