17 replies to this topic

[WhiteT5]

Alright, I had the classic smoke coming out of the dipstick thing going on for a little while. It was a good amount of smoke too, not just a lil. Over the past coupla days, I've had time to tear into it and see what's goin' on. Alright so here's what I did:

- Replaced oil seperator with a new one from the dealer. The old one wasn't really "clogged".
- Completely removed ALL PCV lines and cleaned out the smaller lines with pipe cleaner and completely sprayed out the bigger lines w/ a high pressure washer thing. All the parts dried over night. I verified that none of the lines had ANY blockage whatsoever.
- I re-installed everything today exactly as it was using VADIS as a guide as well.

So, I started the car up, let it get up to operating temperature and.... still smoke coming out of the dipstick tube and oil filler cap. I know 100% that there is NO blockage in the PCV system. Can anyone explain why this is still happening?

[Bay13]

How about the intake pipe that connects to the turbo, where two of the hoses attach, one big from the PCV box and the smaller one for vacuum. Anyway that hose needs replacing sometimes cause it gets all clogged up.

[merlin390]

Rich, I did the same thing and I have the same results, mine is a NA though

[Bay13]

On the NA, make sure the vacuum line is clear to help suck the fumes in.

[WhiteT5]

How about the intake pipe that connects to the turbo, where two of the hoses attach, one big from the PCV box and the smaller one for vacuum.  Anyway that hose needs replacing sometimes cause it gets all clogged up.

I totally cleaned that one out too with the pipe cleaner and blew through it afterwards to verify that it was clear.

[Nebor]

I figured these turbo cars didn't have a PCV system since I couldn't see it easily. Where the heck is it? Is it something I should look at as part of stage 0?

[merlin390]

I replaced the vacuum line with a new silicone hose.

[hoyt]

Stupid question, but what is being harmed in the engine when your PCV system isn't working properly? I remember my dipstick tube and oil cap smoking as much as 5 years ago...

Thanks,

--hoyt

[merlin390]

added crank case pressure pushing seals out and thus leaking. Namely the RMS

[prasamin]

wow...that sucks alot...after a thorough cleaning like that?....does the smoke thing have any connection to the Evap canister or the lines to the evap sensor/system?....maybe that has something to do with it?

How long did it take you to pull everything apart and back together, and what is a part number for that oil separator???

Also, did you REPLACE anything else man?

There has to be another clog somewhere, or maybe some gas or condensation in the oil?....did you change the oil after the cleaning?

[merlin390]

i am going to pull it all apart again I used round wire brushes to clean out the ports and A LOT of carb spray.

[WhiteT5]

wow...that sucks alot...after a thorough cleaning like that?....does the smoke thing have any connection to the Evap canister or the lines to the evap sensor/system?....maybe that has something to do with it?

How long did it take you to pull everything apart and back together, and what is a part number for that oil separator???

Also, did you REPLACE anything else man?

There has to be another clog somewhere, or maybe some gas or condensation in the oil?....did you change the oil after the cleaning?

There was hardly any build-up even in the oil box or where it connects in to the block. I know the guy that owned the car before me and it was meticulously maintained. Taking everything apart took no more than 2 hours. Getting it all back together took about twice as long. It doesn't have anything to do with the EVAP system. A few tips for anyone doing the job:

1. EGR makes this job a helluva lot more difficult than it would otherwise be. Make sure you remove the hard to get to 8mm bolt first.

2. When re-installing the pipe that goes from the top of the oil box to where it goes into the head, you have to install it simultaneously with the intake manifold. Otherwise, you'll sit there wondering why the bloody thing won't go back into its bloody spot. Maybe this is due to my lack of sleep before doing the job though .

3. Be VERY careful with the long plastic lines in the PCV system. They are brittle and break quite easily due to all of the heat over the years.

I am going to clean all of the lines again including the one that Rich originally suggested. I will report any progress .

[Joe_m]

So would it be safe to wait for smoke from the dipstick before attending to the PCV system on my NA? I have a bunch of stuff in line before tending to it (trans flush, coolant/thermostat, oil change, cabin and air filter change, brake fluid flush, life).

[orange850t]

Ok i have read all of the PCV threads and i have a couple of solid questions which I think haven't been asked yet (hard to believe.)

1. What is the part number of a replacement induction hose for the 850 turbo and does it include the junction block??

2. If we were to replace the induction hose with say a stainless pipe, 10mm barb on the intake pipe and then plumb a closed catch between it and the oil separator box, would this do the trick?

Just thinking out loud.

[WhiteT5]

Oh monkey! I just figured it out! OK, the vacuum line that runs from the intake manifold over to the air intake pipe got melted closed somehow. It has been rigged with some 4 mm silicon hose and I no longer have smoke from the dipstick tube . I did all that work for nothing. Silly me .

[merlin390]

Ichecked that too. mine was good. I pulled the spark plug cover off this morning and that hose and it was clean, no build up NOTHING. I am going to pull the intake Sunday probably and replace the factory catch can and double check all the passages for blockage. If tihs doesnt cure it then I am just going to hook a 12v electric vacuum pump to it and let it ride. 15" of vac in the crackcase at all times can't hurt

Edited by merlin390, 25 March 2005 - 06:29 PM.