What Is Crankcase Emission Control System?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Your crankcase emissions control system is

responsible for maintaining positive pressure inside the crankcase

. The system moves exhaust gases from the crankcase and through the intake so that they’re re-burned. This not only reduces emissions, but boosts fuel economy.

What is crankcase emission?

Crankcase emissions means

airborne substances emitted to the atmosphere from any part of the engine crankcase’s ventilation or lubrication systems

. … Crankcase emissions means airborne substances emitted to the atmosphere from any portion of the engine crankcase ventilation or lubrication systems.

How do you reduce crankcase emissions?

To prevent crankcase emissions, your car is

equipped with a Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) System

which routes blowby gases from the crankcase, through the PCV valve and intake manifold, into the combustion chamber.

How do I know if my crankcase is bad?

  1. Oil leaks. Oil leaks are one of the symptoms most commonly associated with a bad crankcase vent filter. …
  2. High idle. Another symptom of a potential problem with the crankcase vent filter is an excessively high idle. …
  3. Decrease in engine performance.

How is crankcase blowby controlled?

When the engine is running, fresh air is drawn into the crankcase through the vented oil filler cap. This air mixes with the crankcase vapours, travels to the intake manifold, and is drawn into the engine cylinders. A

PCV valve

(Fig. 17.6) regulates airflow from the crankcase.

How do you reduce crankcase pressure?

This usually happens when the engine is under load or at high rpm, which is when pressure builds up quickly and needs to be relieved the most. The extreme solution to prevent all of this is to

install a vacuum pump that continuously draws the pressure out of the crankcase

.

What will happen if blowby gases are not removed from the crankcase of a vehicle?

Source of crankcase gases

These blow-by gases, if not ventilated,

inevitably condense and combine with the oil vapour present in the crankcase

, forming sludge or causing the oil to become diluted with unburnt fuel.

How do you check crankcase pressure?

Not only can you measure crankcase pressure with a

vacuum gauge or manometer

, you can also use an accurate pressure transducer such as a Pico WPS500 to measure crankcase pressure with a scope.

What causes too much crankcase pressure?


If the engine is producing blow-by gases faster than the PCV system can dispose of them

, an increasing surplus becomes trapped in the crankcase, causing excess pressure and, inevitably, oil leaks. Even the most carefully sealed gaskets leak when confronted by rising internal crankcase pressure.

What is normal crankcase pressure?

On engines using the factory designed crankcase ventilation system (a PCV or “positive crankcase ventilation” system), we typically measure peak crankcase pressures on the order of

2.5 to 6.0 psi

when the engine is in normal running order.

How often should I change my crankcase filter?

To keep the crankcase vent filter in good working condition, it should be changed

every time you replace your spark plugs

. If this is not done, oil sludge will build up in your filter and cause serious problems and damage your engine.

What are the symptoms of a bad crankcase breather hose?

  • Poor fuel economy. If the PCV valve hose is clogged or has a leak, it may cause poor fuel economy. …
  • Check Engine Light comes on. The Check Engine Light may come on for a variety of reasons, and one of them is a failing PCV valve hose. …
  • Misfiring while idling. …
  • Noise from the engine.

Why is Blowby bad?

Blow-by that makes it

into the cylinder can lower the effective octane rating of the air-fuel mixture

. If the octane rating of the air-fuel mixture drops enough, it can cause knock (also known as pre-ignition), where the fuel mixture ignites before the spark plug fires, causing very high cylinder pressures.

How do you check Blowby engines both diesel and gas?

How to Identify and Test for Blow-By. First, rough idling and misfiring can indicate there is a problem. However, one of the tell-tale signs of excessive blow-by is

white smoke billowing from the oil-fill tube or opening on a valve cover

. To check this, set the oil-filler cap upside down on the tube or opening.

What is too much Blowby?

You have what we call excessive “blowby.” … That means that

the engine is producing too much blow by–

that the pistons, rings, or cylinder walls are all worn out and that too much exhaust is getting into the crankcase. That means it’s time for an engine rebuild.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.