PCV and Oil

Hi

I have a 1997 Honda Civic LX and the engine seems to burn way too much
oil. I suspect that one of the "rings" may be shot. However, someone
told me that the "PCV" value can also cause oil to be "burned".

Can anyone confirm this?

I was thinking of changing the valve, way easier than changing a
piston ring.


The only problem is that the amount of oil being burned is way to high
for the PCV to be the cause, in my opinion.

The car burns about 2 liters per oil change cycle.

Thank you in advance.
Frank

 

"http://www.ClubPlug.net -

A malfunctioning PCV valve can cause oil loss, but not by
burning. Reports are that they fail shut or get plugged,
causing pressure to build in the oil crankcase, causing
pressure to build and various oil seals to fail, leaking
oil. So you want to check the lower exterior of your engine
and see if it's more oil covered than usual. Do you have
spots on your garage floor?

Other seals may be failing too. E.g. the valve cover gasket,
or the gaskets in the spark plug tubes.

If this is the original PCV valve, I would either (1) clean
with carb cleaner (which typically says on the can it's also
for PCV system cleaning; or (2) just replace it. There are
some checks you can do to see if it's working, too.

Yes, this sounds like a lot. Eliminate all the possibilities
listed above first.

How many miles on your car?

 

Hi Elle

The car has about 160 000 km or 100 000 miles.

I will check the engine again to see if there is any heavy oil
deposit. As for the garage floor, the answer is "No Spots" on the
floor.

The problem with changing the PCV valve is getting to it, Honda surely
did not make it easy to change a small valve. I think the valve is
underneath and behind the engine.
Geez...
:-(

Thank you in advance.
Frank

 

"http://www.ClubPlug.net - Your Source for Online Spark Plug Cross

What is the duration of the "oil change cycle"? How many miles in between
changes?

 

Hi Tegger

I usually change the oil every 3000-3500 mile intervals.

Thanks
Frank

 

"http://www.ClubPlug.net -

Not sure if you found it yet. If not, here are drawings of
where it should be, plus instructions for checking the valve
in place:

http://media.honda.co.uk/car/owner/media/manuals/CivicManual/pdf/11-109.pdf

http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/jsp/mws/prddisplay.jsp?inputstate=5&catcgry1=Civic&catcgry2=1997&catcgry3=3DR+DX&catcgry4=KA4AT&catcgry5=BREATHER+CHAMBER+%28DOWN+FLOW%29

On some Hondas, it is easy to get to. On others I have read,
as you indicate, that one has to get at it from underneath.

Have you looked at your exhaust fume's color? Blue-ish
suggests oil is being burned, and so the PCV valve is not
the problem.

 

"http://www.ClubPlug.net - Your Source for Online Spark Plug Cross

How many miles on the car?

 

not true. a faulty pcv can cause huge oil consumption. especially on a
worn engine with heavy blow-by.

pcv valves fail both ways - stuck open or stuck closed. stuck closed
causes excess crank case pressure and subsequent oil leakage. stuck
open causes too low crank case pressure and excess oil consumption.

 

http://www.ClubPlug.net - Your Source for Online Spark Plug Cross

change the pcv and check the connecting hoses. if that doesn't work,
look for other problems. a blown ring may be the cause. should be
evident by one plug showing greater degree of deposits or even oil fouling.

 

Honda says 3750 for oil and 7500 for oil and filter. 3000 or 3750 for
both is common.

 

that's the recreational oil change schedule. normal service schedule is
7.5k for older hondas, 10k+ on newer ones. why propagate oilco
propaganda? they suck enough money out of your wallet at the gas pump -
don't need to waste more of it from the oil drain plug.

 

Hi Folks

Thank you for all the information.

I will take a look at it, this coming weekend.


Thank you again.
Frank