Oil around PCV valve

[dy168]

Hello all,<br /><br />I have the 2004 3.0 MerCruiser Alpha I I/O drive, I have noticed there are oil specks around the engine block cover, hoses and the PCV valve cover, taking a close look at the PCV valve cover, I saw some oil on top and around the PCV valve and inside the PCV valve hose (the one that connects the PCV valve to the arrestor). Yesterday, I wiped everything off, took the boat to the lake, came back and checked, the oil appeared again on top of the valve cover and oil specks around the area. This started to happen after the dealer changed the engine oil last time. Is this OK, did the tech over fill the engine oil into the engine, or is something not fitted properly, hence the oil specks? Also, what is purpose of the hose, especially the end that connected to the arrerstor. Thanks.

 

[Don S]

Re: Oil around PCV valve

The 04 did not have a PCV valve, only a plastic elbow, and a loosly fitting hose going to the carb. A couple of specs of oil is normal.<br />Did you check the oil level with the dip stick???? That should be done every time you take the boat out, or fuel up. Then you would know if the crankcase was overfilled or under filled before you left the dock, now one here can check the oil for you to answer if you have too much oil or not....NEVER take anyones word for the oil level in the engine. It's just way to easy to check.

 

[dy168]

Re: Oil around PCV valve

Don S, thanks for replying. I looked at the Operation and maintenance manual (page 72), it shows there is a PCV valve and a port valve cover and procedure how to replace the PCV valve. Also, only small specs of engine oil around the cover, but right on the little elbow and valve cover, there is a pool of oil covered the whole valve cover, when I dip a paper towel on it, it soaked up a 2in by 2in area.

 

[Don S]

Re: Oil around PCV valve

The owners manuals cover all engines used that year. The "Port Valve Cover" is only on V6 and V8 engines. You have a 3.0L and it only has one valve cover not a port and starboard valve cover or a PVC valve. If you have that much oil gathering around the fitting, then you have a lot of excess blow by. Might be a good time to get a compression test and a leakdown test done to find out why there is that much blow by on such a new engine.

 

[rabidfish]

Re: Oil around PCV valve

Are you not still under warranty?<br /><br />Get another dealer to give you a second opinion...

 

[dy168]

Re: Oil around PCV valve

Yes, engine still under warranty till 05/29, then extended warranty kicks in. Is this covered by extended warranty? Don S, what is "blow by" means? And "compression test", "leaddown test" mean? At least I know what I am talking about when I go back to the dealer. My one year service is up in 2 months. Boat only has 47 hours in it. Remember my trouble with the gear tube thing, the level finally stopped coming down the last few trips. But when the one year service is up, they are going to pull out the drive and check everything completely. I will check the engine oil level tomorrow.

 

[rabidfish]

Re: Oil around PCV valve

"Compression" is how much pressure is being built up by the piston.<br /><br />"Blowby" is the piston leaking compression past the rings.<br /><br />"Leakdown" is a measurement of how much pressure is being lost(either past the rings, valves, gaskets, etc...)You can also identify where the pressure loss is occurring by listening to air movement.<br /><br />Excessive blowby might manifest itself as pressure in the crankcase. This might show up as oil being pushed out the vent fitting.<br /><br />If you have a serious problem that shows up in one of these tests, it may be covered under warranty.

 

[dy168]

Re: Oil around PCV valve

Thanks for the explaination, are these two tests expensive to perform?

 

[Speakrdude]

Re: Oil around PCV valve

Don, Still waiting on machine shop to give the final results of the tear down of my 3.0 blow-by problem. They said they didn't really find much. Maybe a little leakage on #3. They said they will re-ring, hone and reassemble. I'll keep my fingers crossed. A buddy said if they found something really stupid, they probably wouldn't share just to save face..<br /><br />Jim

 

[Don S]

Re: Oil around PCV valve

are these two tests expensive to perform?

Depending on access to your engine, they should only take about an hour at most, but the expense has nothing to do with the problem. If you want to find the problem, you have to do the tests. If you are still under warranty, it won't cost you anyway.<br /><br />Jim<br />If they didn't hone it the first time, the rings wouldn't seat in. That may have been the problem.

 

[rabidfish]

Re: Oil around PCV valve

I'm with Don here. If you're concerned, do the test. If there's a problem, it needs to be addressed... While it's paid for.

 

[dy168]

Re: Oil around PCV valve

OK, guys, let see what kind of excuse the dealer give me this time. They will say once the test is performed and everything is fine, I then have to pay for the job.

 

[deputydawg]

Re: Oil around PCV valve

Take the PCV valve out and shake it. It should rattle. if not replace it and see if that helps. <br />If this has a valve that is <br />PCV stands for posative crankcase ventilation. If this is plugged engines will sometimes build up pressure and leak a few splatters.<br />The pooling your talking of though is too much. Either the engine was overfilled, a valve seal is leaking, or a ring is not holding. <br />If the compression test is done wrong it will show all good in your engine. I have seen experienced mechanics that don't know how to do a proper test. Make sure the engine is at operating temp, open the throttle and turn it over. They should then pressurize each cylinder and see where and how much compression is being lost.<br />Forgot to add, if the engine oil is too high, drain some off immediately. Overfilling will cause leaks.