I'm getting some oil leaking around my oil filler
cap and the rear of the valve cover gasket
near the firewall. I suspect it's the pcv hose
or the oil seperator it's connected to.

Is it hard to remove the oil seperator? Could anyone
give me pointers on how to best do this. I was also
wondering about how to check and clean this part.

For awhie I had a bad oil filler gasket. It had hardened
over the years. In addition there was minor leakage
around the valve cover but very little, it mostly
came out of the cap. However now with a new filler cap
gasket on, I suspect the pressure is forcing oil out
the weak spots in the valve cover gasket. Is this
correct? Am I correct to assume it might be a clogged
pcv hose or oil seperator?

Thanks
Drew
1984 242Ti glt

Yes, your assumptions are correct that the oil leaks could be caused by a clogged or partially clogged PCV system.

Our 86 has a plug at the back of the head just below the valve cover that can blow out at leak a lot really fast. I don't know if the 84's have that plug or not. You might want to find out, and if it does, check to be sure the plug is not about to blow out.

Here are some good tests of the PVC system. Do this with the engine off and cool. Get a two-foot length of 5/8 ID hose. (If you buy PVC hose, you can use it later, in conjunction with a three-inch section of 5/8 OD copper pipe from a plumbing store or building site, to relocate the flame trap if you want.) Pull the flame trap assembly off the breather box, and push the new hose over the nipple on the breather box. Take off the oil filler cap, and try to blow by mouth through the hose that you just connected to the breather box. With a new or super clean breather box, you'll be able to easily blow through it. The easier you can blow through it, the easier your crankcase will breathe. Your breath will come out the oil filler cap hole in the valve cover. This test just checks the breather box. Also, check all the hoses and fittings downstream (above) the breather box, and clean or replace any part that is sludged up or clogged. This includes the brass fitting in the manifold where the little hose connects.

Often people fail to check the breather box when inspecting the PCV system. If it's clogged, a new flame trap with new hoses and fittings won't do any good whatsoever. My breather box was totally clogged so I replaced it, although some people do clean the dirty old boxes out. It's nice to have the old crankcase breathing like new.

Regarding removing the breather box, it can be quite a chore. I replaced mine on my 81 which is a K-Jet engine with all kinds of gas lines running all over the place under the manifold. I removed the manifold and starter, and moved the fuel distributor to do the job. I'm not familiar with the B23 yet, so I don't know if the box can be removed on your engine without removing the intake. Someone who has the knowledge will probably post to help you out.

Good luck.

Thanks to everyone for the help,Doug C. 81 242 Brick Off Blocks, stock, M46; 86 240, 131k

I believe my engine is a b21ft and according
to the manual this turboed engine
has no flame trap or metering orfice. The hose
goes straight from the breather box to the air
intake to the turbo. Guess that makes the
breather box even more suspect eh? So do you
Think I'll have to take that intake manifold?

drew

You don't *have* to take the intake manifold off, but it sure makes the job a lot easier. I have to replace the wiring harness on my 242t so it seemed to make sense to remove the manifold and do a general cleanup of the engine including the breather box. It's also a good time to replace the vacuum hoses and any suspect sending units and sensors.





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don hodgdon '89 744ti, '81 242t, '71 D-35

I had not noticed that your car is a Turbo. That changes things a bit on the PCV system from what I've heard. I don't know if you'll have to remove the intake or not. I'd bet you'll have an answer soon though.
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Thanks to everyone for the help, Doug C. 81 242 Brick Off Blocks, stock, M46; 86 240, 131k