Product Information
Product Description
Volvo uses a small in-line filter to manage positive crankcase ventilation on their 4 cylinder engines. The ventilation system incorporates a small flame trap filter (PCV) to protect against possible crankcase explosions due to a backfire. This filter is overlooked in most workshop manuals and without periodic maintenance it will plug up with oil deposits and cause excessive crankcase pressure, which in turn cause significant oil leaks all over the engine. An additional contributor to this problem is the fact that on these models, the filter and filter holder are buried below the intake manifold and pretty tough to access. We recommend checking the flame trap condition at every oil change.
Additional Technical Information
Common issues with Volvo PCV Systems:
There are a couple of things that get overlooked in the PCV system issue. The lifespan of PCV components varies widely based on operating conditions.
Usage: The PCV system likes to be used at higher RPM for long periods of times (like a trip on the freeway). It also likes higher temperatures to help vaporize the negative contamination in the oil and burn it through the PCV. But in the other direction, a car that is used in a cooler environment and shorter distances will load up and plug/fail the system rapidly. We have an employee who completely rebuilt their PCV system in their daily commuter about every 18 months, due to the cool/damp environment and a 7 mile commute on surface streets.
Wear: The contaminants in the oil are volatized and burned up by the PCV system. But, the amount of blow-by in an engine (the primary source of contaminants) changes dramatically as the engine goes through its life cycle. So, the amount of contamination the PCV system is required to handle in a 300k engine is dramatically different from the contaminants in a 100k engine.
Final: Kind of a combination of both of the above topics. The majority of contamination and plugging in your system happens during warm-up. This is why cars that are used for short distances need so much more PCV work. So you can’t really measure life cycle of PCV components in miles, but they are really measured in key cycles (temperature cycles).
If you have any further comments, questions or concerns about the PCV System in your Volvo, please contact our customer service team at 800-444-6473 or by email at sales@ipdusa.com
Check out our Blog on the Volvo PCV System here:
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About Aftermarket
Aftermarket parts are a reasonably priced and good alternative to OE products. We often supply aftermarket products in place of OE parts that are no longer available as well.
Some items will be better than stock or considered an upgrade from the OE design in the aftermarket brand.
Other items will work as a less expensive alternative to stock.
We will not sell a product that we do not believe in, so rest assured you are fine with the aftermarket brand in most applications!
If you have any questions, contact our customer service team to advise on the best aftermarket products for your Volvo.
