Check or replace PCV if high oil consumption

SportsterDoc · Apr 29, 2019

To minimize the arguments I seem to get from my 2 cents, the following is quoted from the cars.com link:

The PCV system is seldom listed as a maintenance item, but an old valve that is no longer functioning like it should can cause performance and emissions problems...If the valve doesn’t open and close on schedule, or if any part of the system clogs, the result can be a rough idle, sluggish acceleration or increased oil consumption. Rough idling is commonly caused by bad spark plugs, so problems with the PCV valve are often misdiagnosed. If you have a bad PCV valve, PCV valve replacement could eliminate the problems listed above.

This appears to fit my 2019. It is listed for production models Aug 2016 and after. May be a different design for earlier Gen 2:

https://www.kiapartsnow.com/genuine...5;02=D2;04=1;05=7)&Location=pd:20224A11,26740

For earlier Gen 2, research
https://www.kiapartsnow.com/genuine...ubmodel=&Filter=()&Location=pd:20224B11,26740

GeoSoul · Apr 29, 2019

Thanks SportsDoc. I definitely vote to replace the PCV. Like you said, it's cheap and an integral part of the system.

If you screw around and play chicken with how long it will last, it could ruin an otherwise nice day

SportsterDoc · Apr 29, 2019

Welcome!
Wonder how many CAT failures may be caused by excess oil from a cruddy PCV?

SoNic67 · May 3, 2019

That's so easy to do and so cheap... Instead of spending money on fancy K&A air filters, I just replaced the PCV valve.
Also, adding an oil catch can on that line is, IMO, a must for any GDI engine.

Greg_E · May 13, 2019

My catch can is waiting for time to install it. But if it starts filling faster, and new (and cheap) PCV will be installed. It took Chevy more than a year of cars burning (what I consider) excessive oil to decide to warranty the PCV on the Spark, they jerked me around so much that I'll never own another Chevy. Took a loss and traded for a Fiesta before they decided to recall my car.

MOKia1419 · May 21, 2019

My Soul has over 100,000 miles on it and my oil life was drastically declining. At first, I thought it might be due just because it does have so many miles on it, but I did some research and came across the PCV valve and how to change it. I ordered the part and went to changed it out. All I have to say is that the old valve was so clogged, no wonder it was using oil so much. I have a suspicion that the previous owners did not change the oil as often as they should have. I did find in my research that this can be a cause of bad PCV's. Glad to see there is a dedicated thread for this now.

SoNic67 · May 21, 2019

MOKia1419 said:
My Soul has over 100,000 miles on it and my oil life was drastically declining. At first, I thought it might be due just because it does have so many miles on it, but I did some research and came across the PCV valve and how to change it. I ordered the part and went to changed it out. All I have to say is that the old valve was so clogged, no wonder it was using oil so much. I have a suspicion that the previous owners did not change the oil as often as they should have. I did find in my research that this can be a cause of bad PCV's. Glad to see there is a dedicated thread for this now.

Cheap oil will also clog that valve faster...

GeoSoul · May 21, 2019

MOKia1419 said:
My Soul has over 100,000 miles on it and my oil life was drastically declining. At first, I thought it might be due just because it does have so many miles on it, but I did some research and came across the PCV valve and how to change it. I ordered the part and went to changed it out. All I have to say is that the old valve was so clogged, no wonder it was using oil so much. I have a suspicion that the previous owners did not change the oil as often as they should have. I did find in my research that this can be a cause of bad PCV's. Glad to see there is a dedicated thread for this now.

What type and weight of oil do you use in your Soul?

Soulstice2015 · Dec 1, 2020

GeoSoul said:
What type and weight of oil do you use in your Soul?

I used full synth 5/20 but saw in the manual that 5/30 was just as good for the engine and I'm at 140k Km's and burn nearly a quart every 1000km so made the switch and do notice I burn less. WIll now be ordering a PCV after reading this thread, though.

Anyone try the CRC intake valve cleaning spray?

GeoSoul · Dec 2, 2020

Soulstice2015 said:
I used full synth 5/20 but saw in the manual that 5/30 was just as good for the engine and I'm at 140k Km's and burn nearly a quart every 1000km so made the switch and do notice I burn less. WIll now be ordering a PCV after reading this thread, though.

Anyone try the CRC intake valve cleaning spray?

Keep us posted on using the heavier oil. The PCV will take you just a few minutes to change, no problem.

As you browse through the forum, you'll find there are some folks who use CRC or other brand of intake spray.

Also be sure to check the status of your air filter. Be sure to pull it out and look at the underside (that's where the catch is).

All the best and welcome to the forum.

Soulstice2015 · Dec 19, 2020

UPDATE:
Changed the PCV and used the CRC intake valve cleaner. Easily getting 10-20% better fuel economy and feels more peppy with acceleration. The PCV still worked but shaking it sounded like carbon buildup inside muffled the insides compared to the new one.
Heavier oil is burning less, for sure, too. Used to burn nearly a litre every 800km but now burn half a L every 1200km ish. I also plan to change to 5-W30 GDI specific oil which alleges to have less evaporative loss to the oil, or something like that, so it tends to burn less in GDI's. Costco has it right next to their Kirkland 5w30 i've been using last year or so, and it's cheap enough at $25-30/per 5L jug

overall, definitely recommend the higher oil viscosity if burning oil and a good thorough intake valve cleaning

Kerig3 · Dec 19, 2020

Soulstice2015 said:
Changed the PCV and used the CRC intake valve cleaner. Easily getting 10-20% better fuel economy and feels more peppy with acceleration. The PCV still worked but shaking it sounded like carbon buildup inside muffled the insides compared to the new one.

I replaced our PCV last September and even though our car has only 20k miles on it, replacing it made a huge difference in how quick the engine now responds. Costing less than $10 and taking less than 10 minutes to replace, my car's PCV will now be replaced every 2 years or 20k miles. Plus being able to compare how freely the ball bearing rolls within the old PCV compared to a new one is a good way to determine whether your PCV system is getting gunked up with carbon sludge. Our old PCV wasn't much different sounding than a new one—our system is relatively clean—yet the new PCV gave our engine a little extra umph. A no-brainer fix going forward! 👍

Joemsj51 · Dec 19, 2020

Soulstice2015 said:
UPDATE:
Changed the PCV and used the CRC intake valve cleaner. Easily getting 10-20% better fuel economy and feels more peppy with acceleration. The PCV still worked but shaking it sounded like carbon buildup inside muffled the insides compared to the new one.
Heavier oil is burning less, for sure, too. Used to burn nearly a litre every 800km but now burn half a L every 1200km ish. I also plan to change to 5-W30 GDI specific oil which alleges to have less evaporative loss to the oil, or something like that, so it tends to burn less in GDI's. Costco has it right next to their Kirkland 5w30 i've been using last year or so, and it's cheap enough at $25-30/per 5L jug

overall, definitely recommend the higher oil viscosity if burning oil and a good thorough intake valve cleaning

Thumbs-up

Joemsj51 · Dec 19, 2020

Kerig3 said:
I replaced our PCV last September and even though our car has only 20k miles on it, replacing it made a huge difference in how quick the engine now responds. Costing less than $10 and taking less than 10 minutes to replace, my car's PCV will now be replaced every 2 years or 20k miles. Plus being able to compare how freely the ball bearing rolls within the old PCV compared to a new one is a good way to determine whether your PCV system is getting gunked up with carbon sludge. Our old PCV wasn't much different sounding than a new one—our system is relatively clean—yet the new PCV gave our engine a little extra umph. A no-brainer fix going forward! 👍

Thumbs-up

westslope · Dec 20, 2020

The PCV valve can also be cleaned with brake cleaner and then blown out with pressurized air.

On similar valves, some competent do-it-yourself mechanics use WD-40 as the cleaning agent.

MonsterSoul · Dec 20, 2020

I didn't se this before. Maybe I should change the PCV, I don't think it has been changed. Not in the 2 years I have owned it anyway. Thanks for the links, SportsterDoc, I think I can manage "Disconnect the vapor hose (A). Remove the PCV valve (B)." Can I use a Fosters can for a catch can. Hopefully they still make them as sturdy as they used to.

SportsterDoc · Dec 21, 2020

As a minimum, I would check every couple years... or more often if crud is found. It is possible for a PCV to rattle/move, but not seal when it should.

Kerig3 · Dec 21, 2020

MonsterSoul said:
I didn't se this before. Maybe I should change the PCV, I don't think it has been changed. Not in the 2 years I have owned it anyway. Thanks for the links, SportsterDoc, I think I can manage "Disconnect the vapor hose (A). Remove the PCV valve (B)." Can I use a Fosters can for a catch can. Hopefully they still make them as sturdy as they used to.

It was so easy and cheap to replace I see no reason why anyone wouldn't change it regularly. Our car was running perfectly smooth beforehand, but after its replacement our car ran so much better—peppier acceleration and smoother idling—that I was surprised how such a small, plastic part could make that much of a difference. You really ought to replace yours, you'll be surprised yourself. 👍

celronart · Dec 21, 2020

Can I use a Fosters can for a catch can.

Don't Blaspheme!!

🙏

HankC · Dec 28, 2020

westslope said:
The PCV valve can also be cleaned with brake cleaner

That is what I do with my GM cars, but they are metal valves! I never needed to replace one even at 150K+ miles. My 2014 1.6L Soul is near 40K, time to check. I can't imagine Kia cars need PCV valve replaced at this mileage, but not hurt to check and clean.

Check or replace PCV if high oil consumption

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