Upon doing some routine maintenance on our family car this weekend, 1997 Chevy Lumina - 73,000 km, I was shocked to find the PCV valve to be covered with a white/light brown soft residue. I couldn't even make the valve rattle by shaking it. This car is very well looked after, including inspecting and cleaning the PCV valve 2x a year (spring and fall) with throttle body cleaner. The coolant level has not dropped in the overflow tank, rad is full. Would this resemble the white residue under the oil fill cap? Would it have eventually went away? The vehicle is mainly a short trip one, with the occasional long highway run. I did take a peek at the valve last month for something to do, it was fine, nothing on it. What gives?
PCV valve covered in white residue
- Thread starter rocketman
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Oil water emulsion.
Oil from crankcase venting. Water probably from condensation.
Your main clue is the short drives. If really worried do a used oil analysis. But probably longer drives will cure. (or a stuck open thermostat). With GM's coolant ingress cannot be ruled out.
Oil from crankcase venting. Water probably from condensation.
Your main clue is the short drives. If really worried do a used oil analysis. But probably longer drives will cure. (or a stuck open thermostat). With GM's coolant ingress cannot be ruled out.
There is also the slight possibility that you are leaking coolant into the oil.
But most likely, it is simply water condensation. A good blast down the highway after cleaning the valve will help, or an oil change if it is milky now. There isn't much in the valve to wear out - a good cleaning works well.
But most likely, it is simply water condensation. A good blast down the highway after cleaning the valve will help, or an oil change if it is milky now. There isn't much in the valve to wear out - a good cleaning works well.
Here is some more info on PVC valves: http://www.filtercouncil.org/techdata/tsbs/94-2R1.html
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