Engine oil on PCV valve......

[pillage2001]

Is it suppose to be normal?? I found that engine oil has been leaking out through the seal along the PCV valve. I believe this was cause the mechanic put in too much oil in the engine. The level is above the max on dip stick.

 

[DaTT]

How much did he overfill?...and yes, oil on the PCV valve is normal.

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: pillage2001
Is it suppose to be normal?? I found that engine oil has been leaking out through the seal along the PCV valve. I believe this was cause the mechanic put in too much oil in the engine. The level is above the max on dip stick.

How far over max? A half-quart or so shouldn't kill anything.

 

[tfinch2]

The PCV valve is in the valve cover, where oil shoots up and sloshes all over the place.

If there is too much oil, one of the few ways it can escape is through the PCV valve.

 

[pillage2001]

I was under the impression that the oil might sip into the valve and through the tubes. So it's pretty alright for oil to appear on the valve? I think he went over by a litre which is about 1/4 quart. That shouldn't be too bad right?

 

[rezinn]

1/4 quart is no big deal. You might want to replace your pcv valve, though. They are supposed to allow oil to be sucked into the intake and shouldn't allow oil to seep out.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: pillage2001
I was under the impression that the oil might sip into the valve and through the tubes. So it's pretty alright for oil to appear on the valve? I think he went over by a litre which is about 1/4 quart. That shouldn't be too bad right?

Umm, a liter is almost a full quart. That's a lot.

 

[DaWhim]

side question, I wonder where shall I found the PCV valve for my car? 96 subura impreza L

 

[RCN]

Originally posted by: rezinn
1/4 quart is no big deal. You might want to replace your pcv valve, though. They are supposed to allow oil to be sucked into the intake and shouldn't allow oil to seep out.

PCV valves should not allow oil into the intake. Improper PCV system designs, no seperators/ catch cans, or a stuck valve will.

OP replace the valve. It is either stuck closed or has a bad seal. This is not likely to be a result of an oil overfill...

 

[rezinn]

PCV relies on vacuum from the intake manifold, how else are you going to suck oil vapor out of the crankcase?

 

[RCN]

Originally posted by: rezinn
PCV relies on vacuum from the intake manifold, how else are you going to suck oil vapor out of the crankcase?

If what you are trying to say is that there are oil droplets in the blow-by gases that the PCV valve recirculates I know this and a properly designed PCV system addresses this to keep oil from getting to the air filter and also prevent coking.

It is not however designed to "allow oil to be sucked into the intake".

 

[Rogeee]

First off, never run your engine with an overfilled crankcase, an overfilled crankcase will expose the oil to the spinning crank thus causing the oil to faom, oil pressure to drop and subsequent engine damage.

Second, the PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) system relies on engine vacuum from a vacuum port below the throttle body/carb, inside the valve cover lies a sheetmetal baffle preventing oil from being drawn into the intake system, it is normal to see a little oil seepage at the PCV valve grommet, if there is excessive leakage it would not be caused by an overfilled crankcase, check the grommet for pliability,if the grommet has hardened from the exposure to heat and oil over time,replace it.

 

[DivideBYZero]

A litre is alot. Not cool.

 

[pillage2001]

My bad, a quart is about a litre. Yeah, that mechanic messed up and filled in that much into the crankcase. He sucked some of the oil up already and it's abit above maximum now. I'm not sure if the PCV valve is stuck or not. I just don't like the idea where oil and leak out from there.

 

[RCN]

Originally posted by: pillage2001
My bad, a quart is about a litre. Yeah, that mechanic messed up and filled in that much into the crankcase. He sucked some of the oil up already and it's abit above maximum now. I'm not sure if the PCV valve is stuck or not. I just don't like the idea where oil and leak out from there.

As crustyoldman said it can simply be the seal/ grommet. It can also be stuck closed and the increased pressure can cause seapage depending on the locarion of the PCV valve although you would likely begin to see it elsewhere like the valve cover gasket . Either way I would just replace it.