Back to all

PCV Valve Replacement

July 18, 2021



Hello Pickerington, let's talk about your often-unnoticed but extremely important PCV valve. The energy from exploding fuel is what powers your engine. But some of the vapors from the explosions escape into the lower part of the engine, called the crankcase. The crankcase is where your engine oil hangs out. These gases are about 70% unburned fuel. If the gases were allowed to stay in the crankcase, they would quickly contaminate the oil and turn it to sludge. Pickerington folks know that sludge is one of the biggest enemies of your engine, clogging it up and eventually leading to expensive failures. Also, the pressure buildup would cause seals and gaskets to blow out. Therefore, these gases need to be vented out.

Pre-1963, gasoline engines had a hose that let the  fumes vent out into the air. In 1963, the federal government required gas engines to have a special one-way valve installed to help reduce dangerous emissions. (Can you imagine how polluted our Ohio air would be if every car had been releasing those poisonous fumes for the last 50 years?) Diesel engines are not required to have these valves.

The positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve routes crankcase gases through a hose and back into the air intake system where they are re-burned in the engine. Fresh, clean air is brought into the crankcase through a breather tube. It's really a pretty simple system, but it does the job. The re-circulating air removes moisture and combustion waste from the crankcase, preventing sludge. This extends not only the life of your oil but the engine as well. The PCV relieves pressure in the crankcase, preventing  oil leaks.


Eventually, the PCV valve can get gummed up. Then it can't move enough air through the engine to keep it working properly for Pickerington vehicles. If the PCV valve is sticking enough, you could have oil leaks, excess oil consumption and a fouled intake system. If you experience hesitation,  surging or an oil leak, it may be a sign of PCV valve problems. Your vehicle's owner's manual may give a recommendation for when the PCV valve should be replaced - usually between 20,000 mi/32,000 km and 50,000 mi/80,000 km. Unfortunately, some don't list a recommendation in the manual, so it can be easy to overlook.


Many PCV system problems can be diagnosed by our technicians at Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Pickerington . Fortunately, PCV valve replacement is both quick and inexpensive at Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Pickerington. Proper oil changes will greatly extend the life of the PCV valve. Skipping a few recommended oil changes can allow varnish and gum to build up in the valve, reducing its efficiency. So now when your Pickerington service technician tells you its time to replace your PCV valve, you will know what he's talking about. If you have had your car for a while and this is the first you've ever heard of a PCV valve, ask your technician to check yours out or call Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Pickerington at 614-751-0111.

Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Pickerington
1223 Hill Road N.
Pickerington, Ohio 43147
614-751-0111
http://www.tuffypickerington.com

Need Service?

Request a Quote

More articles from Tuffy Pickerington

When You Hear the Crash in Pickerington: What to Do After an Accident

March 24, 2024

Motorists in North America drive about 3 trillion miles/4.8 trillion kilometers every year. There are over 250+ million licensed drivers, and approximately 6.2 million accidents happen every year. Unfortunately, if we're going to drive vehicles, there are going to be accidents. Knowing what to do... More

Engine Air Filter from Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Pickerington

March 17, 2024

Many Pickerington drivers have found themselves in the following situation: They go to get their oil changed and their friendly service advisor at Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Pickerington recommends a new engine air filter. They say yes, but don't know what an air filter is or what it does.If this... More

Your Well Trained Technician at Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Pickerington

March 10, 2024

When your vehicle has a problem or just needs some routine service, you might get a little nervous. Your vehicle's so important to your life in Pickerington, you need to get back on the road as soon as possible with the problem fixed right the first time.If you've ever checked into some of the t... More