Can a plugged/worn PCV valve cause the engine to overheat?

[AnyMal]

I have noticed in the last couple of days that temperature gauge is fluctuating medium to high. I can hear my radiator fan running at high speeds all the time and even with the heat turned off my cabin gets very toasty near the engine compartment. I have checked the oil and coolant levels and they are normal. I have checked my air filter and noticed some oil residue which tells me it may be plugged PCV valve.

Problem is, my car is a 1994 Infinity Q45 and PCV valve is not readily available off the shelf and also nearly impossible (for me) to get to. So, here's my question, can a plugged PCV valve cause engine to overheat or should I look at something else?

 

[bctbct]

Doubtful, when the car temp is high does the heater work? If you start the car and drive and the temp starts getting high but your heater does not work, thermostat is sticking.

 

[tfinch2]

Look somewhere else.

 

[AnyMal]

Originally posted by: bctbct
Doubtful, when the car temp is high does the heater work? If you start the car and drive and the temp starts getting high but your heater does not work, thermostat is sticking.

It's been fairly worm last couple of days so I didn't use the heat but I'll try. So you're saying that a faulty thermostat may cause car to overheat?

 

[bctbct]

Originally posted by: AnyMal

Originally posted by: bctbct
Doubtful, when the car temp is high does the heater work? If you start the car and drive and the temp starts getting high but your heater does not work, thermostat is sticking.

It's been fairly worm last couple of days so I didn't use the heat but I'll try. So you're saying that a faulty thermostat may cause car to overheat?

Does the car overheat and then suddenly go back to normal temp?

 

[mooseracing]

yea if the thermo doesn't open or only partially opens not enough coolant can flow.

 

[AnyMal]

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: AnyMal

Originally posted by: bctbct
Doubtful, when the car temp is high does the heater work? If you start the car and drive and the temp starts getting high but your heater does not work, thermostat is sticking.

It's been fairly worm last couple of days so I didn't use the heat but I'll try. So you're saying that a faulty thermostat may cause car to overheat?

Does the car overheat and then suddenly go back to normal temp?

Yes

 

[iamaelephant]

Very, very unlikely. It's possible that the PCV is stuck open which could lead to the engine running lean and burning oil, both of which could lead to detonation causing higher running temps. Both of these situations by itself are not unlikely, but for the engine to pull that much air and oil from the PCV would mean that your rings would have to be very worn out. Simply put, the PCV isn't causing your problems.

Most common causes of overheating are thermostat (most common by a big margin), poor coolant quality, worn water pump and blocked radiator. The thermo is really easy to check and replace so start there.

 

[91TTZ]

You have a sticking thermostat. Get a new one.

 

[bctbct]

Originally posted by: AnyMal

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: AnyMal

Originally posted by: bctbct
Doubtful, when the car temp is high does the heater work? If you start the car and drive and the temp starts getting high but your heater does not work, thermostat is sticking.

It's been fairly worm last couple of days so I didn't use the heat but I'll try. So you're saying that a faulty thermostat may cause car to overheat?

Does the car overheat and then suddenly go back to normal temp?

Yes

Thats a sign that the thermostat is sticking. Part is usually about $10 and pretty easy to fix depending where it is located. Now this is the thermostat in the radiator hose not on your heater controls.

PCV would effect engine performance.

 

[AnyMal]

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: AnyMal

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: AnyMal

Originally posted by: bctbct
Doubtful, when the car temp is high does the heater work? If you start the car and drive and the temp starts getting high but your heater does not work, thermostat is sticking.

It's been fairly worm last couple of days so I didn't use the heat but I'll try. So you're saying that a faulty thermostat may cause car to overheat?

Does the car overheat and then suddenly go back to normal temp?

Yes

Thats a sign that the thermostat is sticking. Part is usually about $10 and pretty easy to fix depending where it is located. Now this is the thermostat in the radiator hose not on your heater controls.

PCV would effect engine performance.

Well, it's a strart. Thanks for your help

Edit: would replacing it require me to drain the radiator?

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: AnyMal

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: AnyMal

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: AnyMal

Originally posted by: bctbct
Doubtful, when the car temp is high does the heater work? If you start the car and drive and the temp starts getting high but your heater does not work, thermostat is sticking.

It's been fairly worm last couple of days so I didn't use the heat but I'll try. So you're saying that a faulty thermostat may cause car to overheat?

Does the car overheat and then suddenly go back to normal temp?

Yes

Thats a sign that the thermostat is sticking. Part is usually about $10 and pretty easy to fix depending where it is located. Now this is the thermostat in the radiator hose not on your heater controls.

PCV would effect engine performance.

Well, it's a strart. Thanks for your help

Edit: would replacing it require me to drain the radiator?

Depends where it's located.

 

[iamaelephant]

Originally posted by: AnyMal

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: AnyMal

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: AnyMal

Originally posted by: bctbct
Doubtful, when the car temp is high does the heater work? If you start the car and drive and the temp starts getting high but your heater does not work, thermostat is sticking.

It's been fairly worm last couple of days so I didn't use the heat but I'll try. So you're saying that a faulty thermostat may cause car to overheat?

Does the car overheat and then suddenly go back to normal temp?

Yes

Thats a sign that the thermostat is sticking. Part is usually about $10 and pretty easy to fix depending where it is located. Now this is the thermostat in the radiator hose not on your heater controls.

PCV would effect engine performance.

Well, it's a strart. Thanks for your help

Edit: would replacing it require me to drain the radiator?

No, you just need to remove the thermostat housing. A lot of coolant will come out of course so you will need to re-fill the radiator but you don't need to drain it before doing the job. Remember to either catch all the coolant in a bucket is make sure you wash it ALL down the drain because animals like to drink it and it kills them.

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: AnyMal
I have noticed in the last couple of days that temperature gauge is fluctuating medium to high. I can hear my radiator fan running at high speeds all the time and even with the heat turned off my cabin gets very toasty near the engine compartment. I have checked the oil and coolant levels and they are normal. I have checked my air filter and noticed some oil residue which tells me it may be plugged PCV valve.

Problem is, my car is a 1994 Infinity Q45 and PCV valve is not readily available off the shelf and also nearly impossible (for me) to get to. So, here's my question, can a plugged PCV valve cause engine to overheat or should I look at something else?

UM one its a Nissan build so find its counterpart and buy the pcv you need, and 2 no because all that does is allow the gasses in the engine block that gets past the rings get recycled back into the combustion chamber.

If I was a betting man though I would say that you have a stuck thermostat, hence why your fluid is supposedly full, fan runs all the time, and the temp goes up. Your just unlucky enough to have one stick closed. 99% of the time they stick open.

One way to be sure though is to let the car start and once it starts to register a temp remove the rad cap. Use a heavy towle so not to get burned. If they water like to shoot out or you see hardly to no movement at all then you for sure have a stuck thermo. $16.95 part, $1.99 gasket, 2 13mm bolts, and 1 hour time. Or at the stealership $150 or more, and just so you know you can get the same service cheaper on your car at a Nissan dealership then you would at Infinity. When I was the service manager for Infinity and we didnt have the part I sent my guy to the sister dealership (you guessed it, Nissan ) to get the parts I needed to finish a job.

 

[Squisher]

c/o Autozone:

On your 1994 Infiniti Q45, the Thermostat is:
Under hood, center, upper engine area, engine end of upper radiator hose, mounted in coolant outlet housing

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: iamaelephant

Originally posted by: AnyMal

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: AnyMal

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: AnyMal

Originally posted by: bctbct
Doubtful, when the car temp is high does the heater work? If you start the car and drive and the temp starts getting high but your heater does not work, thermostat is sticking.

It's been fairly worm last couple of days so I didn't use the heat but I'll try. So you're saying that a faulty thermostat may cause car to overheat?

Does the car overheat and then suddenly go back to normal temp?

Yes

Thats a sign that the thermostat is sticking. Part is usually about $10 and pretty easy to fix depending where it is located. Now this is the thermostat in the radiator hose not on your heater controls.

PCV would effect engine performance.

Well, it's a strart. Thanks for your help

Edit: would replacing it require me to drain the radiator?

No, you just need to remove the thermostat housing. A lot of coolant will come out of course so you will need to re-fill the radiator but you don't need to drain it before doing the job. Remember to either catch all the coolant in a bucket is make sure you wash it ALL down the drain because animals like to drink it and it kills them.

NO DO NOT DUMP IT DOWN THE DRAIN!!!!!!!!! It is highly poisonous and in every state it is against the law to dump antifreeze down the drain, (DON'T corrected for Goku) let it run out onto the ground, or into a storm sewer. Catch it all, bottle it back up in the coolant jug and then take it to any parts place for proper recycling.
PLEASE!

I also forgot to mention that a lot of oil build up inside the air cleaner is a sign of a worn out engine. One sure way to check this is start the car, wait for it to come to temp, and pull the oil cap off. If you see smoke coming out of that hole where the oil goes your engine is worn out, you have combustion gases getting past the rings, at times when this gets bad enough can cause enough pressure to push the oil up the pcv tube into your air cleaner. If smoke coming out of there be the case then sorry to say you better start looking for another car.

 

[imported_goku]

Originally posted by: funboy42

Originally posted by: iamaelephant

Originally posted by: AnyMal

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: AnyMal

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: AnyMal

Originally posted by: bctbct
Doubtful, when the car temp is high does the heater work? If you start the car and drive and the temp starts getting high but your heater does not work, thermostat is sticking.

It's been fairly worm last couple of days so I didn't use the heat but I'll try. So you're saying that a faulty thermostat may cause car to overheat?

Does the car overheat and then suddenly go back to normal temp?

Yes

Thats a sign that the thermostat is sticking. Part is usually about $10 and pretty easy to fix depending where it is located. Now this is the thermostat in the radiator hose not on your heater controls.

PCV would effect engine performance.

Well, it's a strart. Thanks for your help

Edit: would replacing it require me to drain the radiator?

No, you just need to remove the thermostat housing. A lot of coolant will come out of course so you will need to re-fill the radiator but you don't need to drain it before doing the job. Remember to either catch all the coolant in a bucket is make sure you wash it ALL down the drain because animals like to drink it and it kills them.

NO DO NOT DUMP IT DOWN THE DRAIN!!!!!!!!! It is highly poisonous and in every state it is against the law to dump antifreeze down the drain, let it run out onto the ground, or into a storm sewer. Catch it all, bottle it back up in the coolant jug and then take it to any parts place for proper recycling.
PLEASE!

That is even worse advice than the one you're quoting... WTF would you let it go on the ground and into the storm drain? HTF are you suppose to 'catch' it once it hits the storm drain? Whats worse is that you're letting that stuff touch the ground and get into the storm drain, it will still contaminate the ground and then get washed away with the rain which is bad.

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: goku

That is even worse advice than the one you're quoting... WTF would you let it go on the ground and into the storm drain? HTF are you suppose to 'catch' it once it hits the storm drain? Whats worse is that you're letting that stuff touch the ground and get into the storm drain, it will still contaminate the ground and then get washed away with the rain which is bad.[/quote]


Huh?

Did you even read his post? He said DON'T.

 

[AnyMal]

Originally posted by: Squisher
c/o Autozone:

On your 1994 Infiniti Q45, the Thermostat is:
Under hood, center, upper engine area, engine end of upper radiator hose, mounted in coolant outlet housing

Thanks for the pointer

 

[AnyMal]

Originally posted by: goku

Originally posted by: funboy42

Originally posted by: iamaelephant

Originally posted by: AnyMal

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: AnyMal

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: AnyMal

Originally posted by: bctbct
Doubtful, when the car temp is high does the heater work? If you start the car and drive and the temp starts getting high but your heater does not work, thermostat is sticking.

It's been fairly worm last couple of days so I didn't use the heat but I'll try. So you're saying that a faulty thermostat may cause car to overheat?

Does the car overheat and then suddenly go back to normal temp?

Yes

Thats a sign that the thermostat is sticking. Part is usually about $10 and pretty easy to fix depending where it is located. Now this is the thermostat in the radiator hose not on your heater controls.

PCV would effect engine performance.

Well, it's a strart. Thanks for your help

Edit: would replacing it require me to drain the radiator?

No, you just need to remove the thermostat housing. A lot of coolant will come out of course so you will need to re-fill the radiator but you don't need to drain it before doing the job. Remember to either catch all the coolant in a bucket is make sure you wash it ALL down the drain because animals like to drink it and it kills them.

NO DO NOT DUMP IT DOWN THE DRAIN!!!!!!!!! It is highly poisonous and in every state it is against the law to dump antifreeze down the drain, let it run out onto the ground, or into a storm sewer. Catch it all, bottle it back up in the coolant jug and then take it to any parts place for proper recycling.
PLEASE!

That is even worse advice than the one you're quoting... WTF would you let it go on the ground and into the storm drain? HTF are you suppose to 'catch' it once it hits the storm drain? Whats worse is that you're letting that stuff touch the ground and get into the storm drain, it will still contaminate the ground and then get washed away with the rain which is bad.

OK, let's all be nice. Funboy did not tell me to dump it down the drain, read again

Jason, I know not to dumpt it, don't worry.

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: goku

Originally posted by: funboy42

Originally posted by: iamaelephant

Originally posted by: AnyMal

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: AnyMal

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: AnyMal

Originally posted by: bctbct
Doubtful, when the car temp is high does the heater work? If you start the car and drive and the temp starts getting high but your heater does not work, thermostat is sticking.

It's been fairly worm last couple of days so I didn't use the heat but I'll try. So you're saying that a faulty thermostat may cause car to overheat?

Does the car overheat and then suddenly go back to normal temp?

Yes

Thats a sign that the thermostat is sticking. Part is usually about $10 and pretty easy to fix depending where it is located. Now this is the thermostat in the radiator hose not on your heater controls.

PCV would effect engine performance.

Well, it's a strart. Thanks for your help

Edit: would replacing it require me to drain the radiator?

No, you just need to remove the thermostat housing. A lot of coolant will come out of course so you will need to re-fill the radiator but you don't need to drain it before doing the job. Remember to either catch all the coolant in a bucket is make sure you wash it ALL down the drain because animals like to drink it and it kills them.

NO DO NOT DUMP IT DOWN THE DRAIN!!!!!!!!! It is highly poisonous and in every state it is against the law to dump antifreeze down the drain, let it run out onto the ground, or into a storm sewer. Catch it all, bottle it back up in the coolant jug and then take it to any parts place for proper recycling.
PLEASE!

That is even worse advice than the one you're quoting... WTF would you let it go on the ground and into the storm drain? HTF are you suppose to 'catch' it once it hits the storm drain? Whats worse is that you're letting that stuff touch the ground and get into the storm drain, it will still contaminate the ground and then get washed away with the rain which is bad.

Learn how to read you stupid ****. its against the law to do anything I said, its all one thing not just down the drain, but to let it drain onto the ground, and not all people live where it is paved ass hat so letting it drain onto the earth when your neighbor may be on a well system isnt to smart. I was just covering all basses so the op, and other members, understand it needs to be recycled and not drained anywhere. You drain it into a drain bucket, you buy at the parts store (it has a drain spout built into the bucket), and then pour that into your now empty antifreeze container. DUH

Wow, wow, wow, wow, I complement you again for a wonderful reply. It was well thought out and well written, and I feel you should keep up the good work. Complements all around to you my good man for the fine reading job you did before commenting my reply.

 

[BoomerD]

Getting back on topic...(ah hell, I forgot...this is OFF-topic. ) Zygmunt is one of my favorite places for import part.
Note, these are for the Q45 NOT the touring model...check the base URL site if you have the touring model...


Edit...crap, can't hotlink to the parts
Here's the address...look them up yourselt:
http://www.bimmerparts.com/index.html

 

[imported_goku]

Originally posted by: funboy42

Originally posted by: goku

Originally posted by: funboy42

Originally posted by: iamaelephant

Originally posted by: AnyMal

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: AnyMal

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: AnyMal

Originally posted by: bctbct
Doubtful, when the car temp is high does the heater work? If you start the car and drive and the temp starts getting high but your heater does not work, thermostat is sticking.

It's been fairly worm last couple of days so I didn't use the heat but I'll try. So you're saying that a faulty thermostat may cause car to overheat?

Does the car overheat and then suddenly go back to normal temp?

Yes

Thats a sign that the thermostat is sticking. Part is usually about $10 and pretty easy to fix depending where it is located. Now this is the thermostat in the radiator hose not on your heater controls.

PCV would effect engine performance.

Well, it's a strart. Thanks for your help

Edit: would replacing it require me to drain the radiator?

No, you just need to remove the thermostat housing. A lot of coolant will come out of course so you will need to re-fill the radiator but you don't need to drain it before doing the job. Remember to either catch all the coolant in a bucket is make sure you wash it ALL down the drain because animals like to drink it and it kills them.

NO DO NOT DUMP IT DOWN THE DRAIN!!!!!!!!! It is highly poisonous and in every state it is against the law to dump antifreeze down the drain, let it run out onto the ground, or into a storm sewer. Catch it all, bottle it back up in the coolant jug and then take it to any parts place for proper recycling.
PLEASE!

That is even worse advice than the one you're quoting... WTF would you let it go on the ground and into the storm drain? HTF are you suppose to 'catch' it once it hits the storm drain? Whats worse is that you're letting that stuff touch the ground and get into the storm drain, it will still contaminate the ground and then get washed away with the rain which is bad.

Learn how to read you stupid fvck. its against the law to do anything I said, its all one thing not just down the drain, but to let it drain onto the ground, and not all people live where it is paved ass hat so letting it drain onto the earth when your neighbor may be on a well system isnt to smart. I was just covering all basses so the op, and other members, understand it needs to be recycled and not drained anywhere. You drain it into a drain bucket, you buy at the parts store (it has a drain spout built into the bucket), and then pour that into your now empty antifreeze container. DUH

Wow, wow, wow, wow, I complement you again for a wonderful reply. It was well thought out and well written, and I feel you should keep up the good work. Complements all around to you my good man for the fine reading job you did before commenting my reply.

your screen name is decieving.

 

[Squisher]

Yeah back On topic, drain like 1/2 to 1 gallon out of the radiator bottom pitcock, save it, and pour it back in when you're done.

 

[funboy6942]

See that 42 at the end of my name, it mainly implies Im fun for(4) two(2) people. Me and my wife. All others are screwed, depending on my mood and what is spoken towards me.

Sorry op for the trouble. I was trying to help people understand it was not ok just to dump that crap down the drain or anywhere as that poster made it sound.