2.3L ('83-'97) EGR and PCV valve- replace or delete?

[scotts90ranger]

Yes, that's the factory PCV, they haven't been made of bakalite in a while

 

[Chapap]

Yes, that's the factory PCV, they haven't been made of bakalite in a while

Bakalite? Please explain. This valve has no vacuum line to control it. Isn’t that how most pcv work? Can I convert? I can’t seem to find this particular one anywhere.

 

[cbxer55]

The PCV is connected to a vacuum line. That one line that connects to it goes to the intake manifold. Intake vacuum sucks in the crankcase fumes through that line. When you shake that PCV, it should rattle. That's what controls it. If it doesn't rattle, it's no good.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Bakelite is a type of plastic, I'm not sure that's what they were made of, but it's similar...

The off the shelf PCV valves are usually sheet metal with a crimp in the middle with a plastic elbow on the top, pull that elbow off and you have what you need...

 

[Chapap]

The PCV is connected to a vacuum line. That one line that connects to it goes to the intake manifold. Intake vacuum sucks in the crankcase fumes through that line. When you shake that PCV, it should rattle. That's what controls it. If it doesn't rattle, it's no good.

I think I’ve about figured out how this system works. I had knew generally before but not the details. I thought it was computer controlled, but it’s basically a check valve/ flow metering valve. I bet they started with just a hose but turned out to need a varying flow rate

 

[Roert42]

I think I’ve about figured out how this system works. I had knew generally before but not the details. I thought it was computer controlled, but it’s basically a check valve/ flow metering valve. I bet they started with just a hose but turned out to need a varying flow rate

They started out with a hose hanging under the car, used the draft from the car moving instead of the engine vacuum

 

[Chapap]

They started out with a hose hanging under the car, used the draft from the car moving instead of the engine vacuum

I’ve read about that. Would i be correct if I said that was before it was an emissions thing? If you don’t have a vacuum on the case, water gets in the oil and it gets frothy?

 

[Roert42]

I’ve read about that. Would i be correct if I said that was before it was an emissions thing? If you don’t have a vacuum on the case, water gets in the oil and it gets frothy?

I believe having a vacuum on the case helps the engine run more efficiently, less resistance on the rotating assembly = better fuel economy and more available power.

 

[scotts90ranger]

It's partially to keep the combustion gasses from corroding stuff I believe, there's always going to be a little blowby so it sucks it in and keeps it from getting acidic and whatnot. For emissions it's used to contain and attempt to burn all of the hydrocarbons possible instead of letting them vent into the atmosphere, that's why the crankcase vent line is in the intake as well for when the crankcase pressure exceeds what the PCV can deal with as well as feeding the crankcase with filtered air...

 

[cbxer55]

They started out with a hose hanging under the car, used the draft from the car moving instead of the engine vacuum

Or breathers on the valve covers. That's what I always did anyway. Toss the hose and replace it with one of those small filtered breathers. There are some Lightning guys who have deleted the PCV system and replaced it with breathers. Myself, I believe it's beneficial to have that cold air going through the block from one side to the other.

 

[Roert42]

Or breathers on the valve covers. That's what I always did anyway. Toss the hose and replace it with one of those small filtered breathers. There are some Lightning guys who have deleted the PCV system and replaced it with breathers. Myself, I believe it's beneficial to have that cold air going through the block from one side to the other.

I have a breather filter on my mustang. The issue with the that is you no longer have a vacuum being pulled on the crankcase, so you loose those benefits.

 

[scotts90ranger]

PCV and forced induction can be a pain in the rear, positive pressure to the vacuum line doesn't work very well...

Breather filters are fine and all, but the hose between the breather and the intake tube behind the air filter is basically the same... so if it ain't broke, don't fix it...

 

[cbxer55]

PCV and forced induction can be a pain in the rear, positive pressure to the vacuum line doesn't work very well...

Breather filters are fine and all, but the hose between the breather and the intake tube behind the air filter is basically the same... so if it ain't broke, don't fix it...

The PCV system on the Lightning causes a lot of oil in the intake above the blower. The blower and the intercooler end up being caked with oil from the PCV. That's why some guys delete it. Others like myself install an oil separator in the line between the PCV valve and the plenum to capture that oil. I removed the blower and intercooler from mine in 2019, cleaned up the intercooler, which I could not see through from all the oil in it. Installed a Magnum Powers blower and an oil separator. Been good ever since. Just have to remember to put a rattle can lid under the thing and crack the valve every thousand miles or so.

 

[Chapap]

The PCV system on the Lightning causes a lot of oil in the intake above the blower. The blower and the intercooler end up being caked with oil from the PCV. That's why some guys delete it. Others like myself install an oil separator in the line between the PCV valve and the plenum to capture that oil. I removed the blower and intercooler from mine in 2019, cleaned up the intercooler, which I could not see through from all the oil in it. Installed a Magnum Powers blower and an oil separator. Been good ever since. Just have to remember to put a rattle can lid under the thing and crack the valve every thousand miles or so.

I ordered a catch can for my ranger. Got a $20 Chinese one that looked like a copy of some high dollar brand. The intake manifold was pretty filthy, but I didn’t bother cleaning it. Might consider pulling the top half again and scrubbing it. The bottom half looks a bit more involved to remove tho.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Catch cans are a good workaround for forced induction, especially if the inlet side of them is at the bottom and they are above the valve cover like yours then they are self draining, yours the inlet is a little high up so it will hold some like you are seeing... The oil separator on a 2.3L isn't quite sufficient to pull the oil out...

That's pretty dirty, but likely from the EGR and oil mist.