2014 Dodge Caravan 3.6L PCV Failure?

[badtlc]

I had someone bring me the vehicle in the subject because they found dark liquid on top of the air filter when they took the case/cover off. From a quick inspection is was blackish and seemed oily. I noticed a tube that connects directly into the filter housing (not the intake piping, weird) and it appears the oil substance is coming from this tube. Following the tube, it goes around to the back of the engine. I think this is the ventilation tube that connects to the PCV.

If the PCV valve fails, would it allow blowby to go up this tube and into the air box? Is it possible to clean a PCV valve? Anyone know how hard it is to get this PCV valve out and back in?

Thanks for any help you all can provide.

 

[JC1]

Originally Posted By: badtlc
I had someone bring me the vehicle in the subject because they found dark liquid on top of the air filter when they took the case/cover off. From a quick inspection is was blackish and seemed oily. I noticed a tube that connects directly into the filter housing (not the intake piping, weird) and it appears the oil substance is coming from this tube. Following the tube, it goes around to the back of the engine. I think this is the ventilation tube that connects to the PCV.

If the PCV valve fails, would it allow blowby to go up this tube and into the air box? Is it possible to clean a PCV valve? Anyone know how hard it is to get this PCV valve out and back in?

Thanks for any help you all can provide.


I've got a 2015 caravan and I haven't needed to replace the PCV valve.
Have a look at this link.
http://forum.chryslerminivan.net/showthr...t?highlight=PCV

How many miles are on the 2014? That hose and PCV valve can be cleaned. I would try some brake cleaner first.

Here's a video for the PCV on a Challenger (same motor).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SqF1kJhpIs

 

[Lubener]

Usually the PCV itself or its plumbing will plug up. Pressure will build up in the crankcase, oil leaks start to appear. Oil will find its way out the breather and will collect in the air filter area. This can happen even with a working PCV if it cannot handle excessive blowby due to engine problems.Some cars do not have a PCV but use a fixed orfice for the vapors to be burned. Not sure on your vehicle. Generally, you just replace the PCV because of its low cost( Go with OEM). I usually spray some carb cleaner in the PCV while the engine is running to clean out the plumbing. The valve or orfice will push into a grommet, just pull it out.

 

[badtlc]

Originally Posted By: JC1


I've got a 2015 caravan and I haven't needed to replace the PCV valve.
Have a look at this link.
http://forum.chryslerminivan.net/showthr...t?highlight=PCV

How many miles are on the 2014? That hose and PCV valve can be cleaned. I would try some brake cleaner first.

Here's a video for the PCV on a Challenger (same motor).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SqF1kJhpIs


Thanks for that link.

This 2014 has about 44,500 miles on it. After reading that link I think this might be the make up air hose and not the PCV hose that goes to the filter box. It is much longer than what images show for the PCV hose on parts sites. Also, this hose doesn't appear to attach to anything removable when it gets to the engine block. The PCV is $60 on its own so it was preferred to not have to buy one unless necessary.

But then the question comes, how would oily substances be coming from the make up air hose? maybe it isn't. The owner just admitted to just detailing under the hood with spraying methods. I wonder if some nasty dirty water just happened to find its way into the air filter housing somehow.

I think I'm going to have to just clean off the air filter and housing and check it again later to find out for sure.