8 replies to this topic

[johnmcm]

Hello, After doing my research on this site (thanks to all who post on Volvospeed) I have came to the conclusion that I have a plugged pvc/oil separator issue. My question is can the oil separator be cleaned out and reused? I know the right answer is to replace it along with all related hoses but I am really cheap and thought if I could get by with just a $10 intake gasket and a couple hours of garage time that is the way I would go. Has anyone done this? or do I bite the bullet and and fork out the $100 to IPD for the new parts. Thanks in advance. John

[cn90]

NOT a serviceable item.

Do the whole PCV tuneup for about $100 in parts because alot of labor is involved (removing the Intake Manifold etc.).
Don't be cheap, you don't have a choice.
Just stop drinking beer for a week then you have $100 (j/k).

[erikv11]

It's your call. These parts can definitely be cleaned out and reinstalled. The main issue wit that is really the hoses, they experience a lot of heat etc so they get old and brittle and can crack easily. No one cleans out and reinstalls the parts because it is quite a bit of work to take everything apart and reassemble. It isn't worth the hassle to know you are putting suspect parts back in. You won't necessarily know right away the instant an old PCV hose goes bad, whereas if you replace it then you can be pretty sure PCV parts aren't the cause the next time the car starts hiccuping.

I'd swap in new parts.

[the commissar!]

johnmcm, on 15 March 2010 - 02:30 PM, said:

Hello, After doing my research on this site (thanks to all who post on Volvospeed) I have came to the conclusion that I have a plugged pvc/oil separator issue. My question is can the oil separator be cleaned out and reused? I know the right answer is to replace it along with all related hoses but I am really cheap and thought if I could get by with just a $10 intake gasket and a couple hours of garage time that is the way I would go. Has anyone done this? or do I bite the bullet and and fork out the $100 to IPD for the new parts. Thanks in advance. John

You will get lots of opinions on this...Mine is: You can clean and reuse the separator itself if it is in good shape, but all the lines/connectors/tubes should be replaced. Last time I replaced mine, I cleaned it to see if it could be done adequately. I thought it looked fine. So I have a clean used one laying around .

That being said, if you buy a kit vs parts you can likely get the separator for almost "free" so...

[erikv11]

Also, put the car model etc in your signature, helps people to know how to reply (is your car a turbo? they have more PCV issues than NAs).

[johnmcm]

cn90, on 15 March 2010 - 02:45 PM, said:

NOT a serviceable item.

Do the whole PCV tuneup for about $100 in parts because alot of labor is involved (removing the Intake Manifold etc.).
Don't be cheap, you don't have a choice.
Just stop drinking beer for a week then you have $100 (j/k).

Thanks for the advice, But the only time I get to drink beer is after the wife and kids are in bed and I have "work to do in the garage" so no beer for a week is not an option. Thanks again. John

[johnmcm]

Thanks all for the advice, I am going to sleep on it for a couple days and then probably get new parts.

[helveta]

aftermarket hoses suck! Buy the volvo brand you'll be glad you did!

[johnmcm]

helveta, on 19 March 2010 - 02:11 AM, said:

aftermarket hoses suck! Buy the volvo brand you'll be glad you did!

Sounds good. Where did you get yours?