My '87 Volvo 240 is in need of several repairs. The transmission needs to be rebuilt and the water pump needs to be replaced and the oil is leaking, among other things.

The separator box had never been replaced as far as I knew and my car was failing the "glove test", so, I decided to replace all the PCV system parts before proceeding with the other repairs.

Well, my mechanic did the job in about a full day and the car still fails the "glove test". I am going to have to pay him for the labor even though the car still fails.

Unlike the guys at IPD, my mechanic did not think that the separator box return hose needed to be replaced. I had him replace it. It was quite a pain to remove it as it broke into a bunch of pieces, many of which had to be scraped off the the wall of the hole in the engine block, with a lowered oil pan. After he put the oil pan back on, he pushed the new separator hose through the hole in the engine block. It did not go in easily. I am wondering if it got kinked. I have read another thread regarding the same issue and the failed "glove test" after a PCV system replacement. It leads to three suggestions (the thread was inconclusive though):

1. the separator hose is kinked and the way to test it is to try to blow air through it with another hose from the top (after removing the oil separator box and oil filler cap).

2. the Vacuum connection on the top of the Intake Manifold is clogged and needs to be cleaned with a stiff wire or paper clip.

3. do a compression test (I'm not sure what this would do to change things).

I am a little overwhelmed. Thoughts? Any suggestions on what I should do? What should I tell the mechanic to do before paying him? Should I cut my losses and retire this car?

Thank you,
G