ME Wagner adjustable PCV valve

[lippy]

So I adjusted the PCV per ME wagner's instructions and I also installed the Moroso oil separator. The car does run and idle better. I drove 100 mi this morning and collected 0.69 in^3 of oil, which equates to about 0.11 qt in 1000 miles. When you look at it, it seems like a lot of oil but in the context of 1000 miles I guess it seems right.

[blykins]

Remember, at part throttle, you're still pulling vacuum and if the PCV is open, you're going to be sucking in whatever oil is bouncing around in the valve covers.

I don't understand how adding this would make the engine idle and run better, as a PCV valve is emissions control only.

[lippy]

Originally Posted by blykins

I don't understand how adding this would make the engine idle and run better, as a PCV valve is emissions control only.

From what I read a PCV is generally good because it keeps blow-by and moisture out of the engine, and lowers crankcase pressure. If you change your oil every 500mi then maybe you don't care, but if you leave it in a PCV probably helps. If you believe that, then you want a PCV that works properly with your engine.

They claim a few things:

(1) While the PCV that comes with a stock car may be matched perfectly to that engine (I'd assume it is), you are effectively guessing with an aftermarket engine. Consequently, with a random PCV valve, you may be pulling in far more air than necessary at idle or at cruise, making it more difficult to tune the car. If your idle adjustment is off on your carb then the car may not run right throughout the range.

(2) They have data that shows that a stock PCV is open usually from 3-50% of the time. Theirs is adjustable so it's open most of the time, except full throttle. When it is open consistently you don't get a buildup of crankcase vapors and acid. When it isn't you get blow-by and moisture, and possibly excess pressure.

(3) More to do with the oil separator, but it keeps oil out of the PCV flow. Oil lowers the octane of the fuel and can foul plugs over time. And if you have a PCV that is flowing too much, you get more oil in the mixture.

You can check out some of the articles here: Press and Media Coverage | M/E Wagner Performance Products

Their valve is open at cruise, so they emphasize the importance of valve cover baffles. Mine are fully baffled, so I think the amount of oil I'm getting in the separator seems reasonable and not excessive.

[blykins]

I understand all of that....

But saying a Pcv makes your engine idle and run better means that some air is being introduced into the system to change the air flow ratio. The same thing could have been done with a bleed or jet change.

I agree that the amount of oil you are getting is not excessive and prob can be reduced further by limiting the suckage at cruise rpm.

I have never really been a PCV valve fan simply because it's something else that's not really necessary (unless you're in an emissions testing state) and it's something else that can fail with bad consequence. A pair of valve cover breathers are sufficient for crankcase venting and *most* guys will drive long enough to get the oil hot and boil any condensation out of the system.

With all that being said, the above setup is kinda cool from an engineering standpoint.