moisture coming through pcv
moisture coming through pcv i've got kind of an odd issue. first of all it's an '02 SS, long tubes, no cats, K&N intake, vette MAF, ported TB, stock pcv system with a catch can. ok, i have a missfire. it's not bad but if you listen next to the cutout you can hear it. i thought it was my maf sensor because i just swapped to the vette sensor so i took it off and when i did, i noticed there was a few water droplets in the TB. i checked my catch can and there was about 2-3 ounces if i had to guess of water in the bottom. there was condensation on the oil cap but the dipstick looked fine and i pulled the valve covers and everything looked normal under there. you can see smoke coming out the exhaust and it's leaving water dropplets from the tips just like if you crank any car up in the morning but it does it after a 30 minute drive just sitting idling.
also, just prior to all the water in the catch can, TB, exhaust, oil cap, etc. i changed the oil, cleaned all the sensors in the intake, cleaned the TB, cleaned the pcv catch can, swapped pcv valves, swapped back to the vette MAF, seafoamed the car, etc. so this isn't somthing that's been building up, it's happened in about 2 days time.
also, just prior to all the water in the catch can, TB, exhaust, oil cap, etc. i changed the oil, cleaned all the sensors in the intake, cleaned the TB, cleaned the pcv catch can, swapped pcv valves, swapped back to the vette MAF, seafoamed the car, etc. so this isn't somthing that's been building up, it's happened in about 2 days time.
i understand why it would help in not getting that condensation into the intake but i don't see what it would keep the condensation from forming though. i'd like to know where it's actually coming from.
The stock PCV has a special cable that ties the PCV casing to the throttle body to heat it up and prevent condensation from happening.
If your catch can doesn't get hot with the engine, then you'll get condensation on cold days.
Also, do you have
If your catch can doesn't get hot with the engine, then you'll get condensation on cold days.
Also, do you have
TECH Resident
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 843
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From: Roseville, Ca.
Some condensation and milky stuff in the catchcan, dipstick or filler cap is normal. Especially if you make a lot of short trips in cold conditions where your engine oil isn't at normal operating temps long enough to burn off contaminates and moisture. If your coolant temps indicate that it's warm, it doesn't mean your oil is. If you go WOT before your engine oil is hot enough, you'll blow even more of that crap into your catchcan. Also, a 160 degree thermostat can just add to the problem.
Last edited by Steve Gunn; Mar 19, 2011 at 07:49 AM.
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well i guess it just burnt off all the condensation. i took a long trip and by the time i got home, everything was clean and moisture free. i just wish i knew where it came from. i hardly ever shut it off before it warms up completely. most of my drives are a good distance. who knows.
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