SaltyF

I'm replacing parts of my PCV system and took the pancake PCV valve off in the process. There was quite a bit of gunk in the valve and the metal tube leading to it.

I did my best to clean it out, but I cant' figure out if the valve is working or not. I tried blowing out of either end and the air seems to be just blowing straight through.

I see a metal spring inside the valve but I can't figure out what it is holding and how the valve is supposed to work.

So is mine bad? How do I test if it is working?

TTschwing

The culprit is the real PCV valve down under your manifold. (Pic). Clean the Pancake out...It's really a simple relief valve and rarely goes bad..

<img src="http://images26.fotki.com/v891/photos/7/7305/4077386/IMG_1459-vi.jpg">

Lowcountry

For shame, Hans. For shame. ;-)

TTschwing

Yes...I was aghast!

TTGram

I've had to replace the hoses it conects to.

SaltyF

Replaced the real PCV valve, the T housing, and the breather hose. Vacuum pump was clogged, so that one is new, too.

The small hose from the PCV valve to vacuum pump was in a peretty bad shape. A lot of deterioration from all the oil, small pieces of rubber coming out, when you blow in it. The dealer din't have one in stock, so had to put the old hose back in. A little concerned that all the debree will clog the vacuum pump and the PCV valve again.

All other vacuum lines were in a good shape. PCV hoses downstream had a lot of gunk in them, but not very oily. Same for the pancake PCV, both ends of it. The lower IC hose had several ounces of oil in it (quite a lot more than I expected).

That's all at 60K. A little upset at Audi for having the same problems with rubber hoses (lots of deterioration from oil) as when I had my 92 100 S. I would think 10 years is enough time to figure out some way to fix it, e.g silicone hoses, or control the amount of oil entering the PCV system, or something..

So, back to the pancake PCV. Can't figure out if I need to change mine (it's a little pricy too). Is there anything I should look out for?

TTschwing

But vented everything through a catch can..

SaltyF

Which one did you get?

Is there a good place in there to put one? Before or after the pancake PCV? (Just want it to look clean, as close to stock as possible).

TTschwing

Honestly mine caught 1/2 teaspoon of oil in 4 years..

Made out of a compressor filter with the element drilled a little for some relief. $35 at Sears. "T" both the pancake inputs into one end, other goes down to the TIP...<ul><li><a href="http://public.fotki.com/ttschwing/catch_can/oil_catch_can/">Pics in my Fotki..</a></li></ul>

SaltyF

I'll just wait till the next oil change and check if the new PCV valve made a difference.