pcv elbow woes

[DARKSCOPE001]

Hello all. I am the resident mechanic in my house. My gf has a 1999 ls malibu with the 3.2 v6.

Early this year I replaced the pcv valve as it has never been done. The origonal pcv elbow broke when I pulled it off the valve. It was made of hard plastic not rubber. Well about 3 months ago her car started making a strange sound. (best way I can describe it is a kid pulling the neck of an inflated balloon and making that farty winey sound that everyone loves)

Today we were coming back from a road trip to the local shoping meca. As we rolled into the neighborhood the car made the sound again only this time it was louder and the car had a rough idle. I told her put the car in park. Leave the engine running and i would listen.

I pinched the pcv elbow. it was soft and the sound went away as I applied pressure. then returned when I released. So I sighed and said. ITS THE #@%$ING PCV ELBOW AGAIN!" and started making calls. Every auto shop has the cheep doorman help elbows (that is whats currently installed) but cant order the entire tube. I dont mind replacing the elbow but one every oil change is excessive.

Anyone have a suggestion? I am running penzoil plat. is that my problem? is there a chemical in the oil that attacking the rubber and making it soft? or are these just [censored] cheep parts? Ive been thinking about just taking a legth of vac line and making my own elbow because its frustrating.

Thanks and sory for the longwindedness.
Sean Scott

 

[terry274]

I had a problem with the Dorman elbows also. I went to the dealership and bought AC/Delco. No problems for the last six months. Part of the Dorman problem was the cheap O-rings on the elbow.
Terry

 

[The_Eric]

Buy from the dealer. I too have had problems with the Dorman/Help Line products. FWIW, if you don't have a GM dealer nearby you can use a MOPAR elbow too. The shop I work at stocks some MOPAR PCV elbows and I've installed more than one on a GM 3.1/3.4. Just Cut/pry the elbow off the plastic tube and stick the new one on.

 

[mechanicx]

The PCV elbow is really part of the tube that runs to top of the throttle body. The elbow is glued to the plastic tube and is really suppose to be serviced as a one part assembly and not separated. The dealer has the tube. It should be under $8.

 

[DARKSCOPE001]

thanks guys. I just picked up another doorman elbow just to get her home for the night. I called a few Chevy dealers in my local area and they both sell the tube assembly. and its sitting right around 15 bucks. so ill just run this for a while. (not till it fails completely) and then ill just buy the tube assembly and be done with it.

And im not sure but I swear that the original elbow was not glued to the tube. because it just slipped right off and there is no residue. But it could be so old that the residue got dissolved or came off completely.

Thanks guys
Sean Scott

 

[ltslimjim]

^Unless your friend had it replaced before incorrectly compared to factory recommendation?

 

[mechtech2]

Often we can simply use good fuel/vacuum line [like 3/8"] and omit the elbows and fittings.
Usually extra line is needed to make a loop so it won't kink - this is important.