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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Out West
    Posts
    1,311

    Default Do these pics show symptoms of a PCV problem?

    I've used Mobile 1 exclusively since 5,000 miles, up to the current 196,000 miles. As such, I thought my motor was immune from PCV gunk and I never paid any attention to the threads about PCV problems. My throttle body failed a couple of weeks ago (I think it failed, anyway). I started looking at how difficult it will be to replace, and see this gunk build up on it and in the general area (17.5 years worth). Is this oil residue spritzing out of a leak in the boost tube, indicating a problem with the PCV system routing oil mist back into the intake?
    Click image for larger version. 

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ID:	9442Click image for larger version. 

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    '04 XC70, Ice White, Taupe. Original owner (196K miles as of may21). 6 wheel bearings, broken ignition switch, broken turbo downtube flange, failed throttle body, many warped rotors, and a myriad of weird crap. Still my favorite car ever.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Virginia Beach
    Posts
    4,116

    Default

    Looks pretty light for 17.5 years of gunk and oil vapor...

    Really, the only way to know you need to replace the PCV is to dig into it, or when a seal fails. Oil leaks are a big clue, but if your engine has only a bit of gunk like that, you're probably OK.

    Dropping the oil pan, which takes an hour or two, will give you a look up into the oil separator (flame trap) and if you see carbon, you should do the whole thing.

    Honestly, I wouldn't worry about it right now. 5,000 miles on Mobil 1 is pretty conservative. The big issue isn't the quality of oil, it's the additive package. If the oil maintains its acid-neutralizing properties, that keeps sludge from forming. Regular Mobil 1 isn't designed for extended drains, but should be plenty basic (anti-acidic) for a short run of 5,000 miles.

    I'm a fan of the better European-specification oils. Two of the most stringent long-drain oil specifications are the Porsche A40 and MB 229.5. Look for an oil that meets either, or both, of those and you're good.
    Current Fleet:
    2016 Tundra Crewmax 4WD 1794
    2005 MB S600 (126K, Michelin AS4, HPL 0W40)
    2005 MB SL600 (55K Michelin AS4, Mobil 1 0W40)
    2004 V70R (143K, six speed M66, HPL 5W40)
    2004 XC90 (235K, HPL 0W30 Euro)
    2002 V70-XC (295K, HPL 0W30 Euro)
    2002 V70-T5 (225K, IPD bars, Bilsteins)
    2001 V70-T5 (125K, IPD downpipe, cat back and other mods)
    1932 Packard Sedan (straight 8, dual sidemounts, original paint and interior, Shell Rotella 15W40)

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