Thinking PCV, just need a few YES responses

[bprater13]

Hey guys, pretty sure I have a PCV that has gone bad, just need some verification for peace of mind. Quick review... CEL a few months ago with p2008 and p2015 codes and a tiny bit of rough idling, so most consensus was that it was a flap motor problem. Put off fixing that for the past few months. A few weeks ago a squeaking noise has started coming from the mid-engine area. Leaving my house yesterday and I am accelerating away from the first stop sign at the end of my street and the car starts to sputter and trying to die, so I pull over and head back home with no problems. Drove it later that night with no problems, then today driving home it began to sputter accelerating from a stop light. Go to Autozone and they pull the codes and there is no p2008 or p2015 anymore, and now just a p0171 (which I had with my last car and ended up being a intake gasket). Just went out and checked the engine bay and there is a little oil residue in the lower areas on the top of the engine and I tried to take off the oil cap at idle and I couldn't even turn it using both hands. Looks like I will be ordering a replacement PCV tonight if I can get a few people to just read this and say they think that's the problem? Yes?

Also, here are some links from searching that seem to describe my situation and made me think its a PCV.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/311013-Help-CEL!!-*update*-PCV-fix...PICS?highlight=p0171
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/300739-Help..-CEL-and-Loud-sound! (no video anymore, but sounds like it was similar to my squeak)
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/393266-Oil-Cap-Test-for-PCV-leak?highlight=pcv+diy

[daudic]

You'll need this for the codes: http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B7_A4-Quattro-2.0T/Search/Intake_Manifold_Flap_Sensor/ES281203/
You'll need this for the PCV if your car is an early VIN: http://www.europaparts.com/breather-update-kit-a4-b7-2-0t-early-vin.html

Our PCV valves have been recalled. Check with Audi for an update on your cars recalls. The Flap Sensor won't cause any issues. It is just a warning sensor with narrow parameters. Buying a new one just makes the codes go away. Search around for the best prices on these. Valve cover gaskets go bad too, especially if too much pressure is allowed from a bad PCV.

[bprater13]

Thanks much. Maybe I will call my dealership and just ask a few questions about the recall. I am WAAAY out of warranty if that matters. Unfortunately I am am finishing up my master's and have gone down to part time at work, so money isn't a great commodity right now. If I end up having to buy and do all this stuff myself I will probably start with just the PCV. The car is a 2007q btw, and I know there are issues with getting the right part for different years, so I will try to search the forum to try to ensure I get the right part.

[daudic]

Mine is an 06 2.0T. The 06 had a split year for the PCV.
You'll want the later VIN PCV: http://www.europaparts.com/breather-update-kit-a4-b7-2-0t-late-vin.html
I held a mirror under mine to discover that I have the E version. Look for "06F129101 E". Also, if you disconnect the short "U" shaped hose from the engine and blow/suck through it, you'll know if it is failing. If you blow and can't and you suck and air comes through, the part is ok. I know what all the sick minds are thinking.
Don't worry about the other part; it's a pain in the a_s to remove from the back of the engine, but possible if you're very careful.

[bprater13]

Thanks a lot for the help. I will try the mirror check before I order today. Hopefully I will be getting this done within the week before something major happens. *knocks on wood*

[KraZ4Riding]

I have an '08 with the 'E' version of the PVC. Mileage has been poor lately. Blowing through the tube, the valve definitely closes partially, but not completely some air still leaks by. It should close off completely, right?

Have asked the dealer once before due to a whistling I get at higher RPM but of course they said everything tested out fine.

For the higher vin#'s is there a newer version than 'E'?

Thanks

[fly300kts]

I have an '08 with the 'E' version of the PVC. Mileage has been poor lately. Blowing through the tube, the valve definitely closes partially, but not completely some air still leaks by. It should close off completely, right?

Have asked the dealer once before due to a whistling I get at higher RPM but of course they said everything tested out fine.

For the higher vin#'s is there a newer version than 'E'?

Thanks

Had the same issue last week and even if no CEL codes, I replaced it anyway: Valve was not closing totally when blowing air thru
Phil

[KraZ4Riding]

Had the same issue last week and even if no CEL codes, I replaced it anyway: Valve was not closing totally when blowing air thru
Phil

Thanks for the confirmation. No CEL here either. Will try to get dealer to replace or just pick up the part myself.

[daudic]

The valve should seal tight when you blow through it. You have a defective PCV. They don't cost much and super easy to replace.

[72mako]

About a month ago I had a slight squeal/squeak coming from the rear of my engine, started at idle or coasting down to a stop. It progressively got worse to a constant squeal (but worse when letting off the gas. I don't remember the codes my shop pulled but most came in from idle. Ended up having a major vacuum leak coming from a bad PCV valve. They replaced that and it's been smooth with no squeak since. Wish I remembered the codes though.

nick

[Jimbo2000]

My first guess would be the PCV, but I'd also point you towards the crankcase breather valve located on the crankcase and next to the intake manifold. That failed for me last spring and it's a pretty quick fix. You will get a deterioration in engine performance, the engine warning light will go off, and you'll hear whistling when the engine is in idle / low revs ..... very similar to the PCV valve. Anyway, it's about the same level of difficulty (easy) and quite cheap (~40 bucks). If the PCV doesn't do it for you, I'd recommend you take a look at that.

[bprater13]

PCV came in today. Replacing tomorrow morning. Will give you guys an update after replacing and my drive tomorrow (about 2 hours).

[Fermo]

I ordered the BSH catch can this afternoon. I tried to remove the oil cap while running and thought the shop tightened it to tight. Nope. It took all I could do to turn it 90 degrees. That sucker was vacuumed on. Hopefully get it on this weekend. I'm anxious to turn my APR back on.

[KraZ4Riding]

I have an '08 with the 'E' version of the PVC. Mileage has been poor lately. Blowing through the tube, the valve definitely closes partially, but not completely some air still leaks by. It should close off completely, right?

Have asked the dealer once before due to a whistling I get at higher RPM but of course they said everything tested out fine.

For the higher vin#'s is there a newer version than 'E'?

Thanks

Follow up: Went to the dealer to buy a new PCV since the valve was not closing completely when blowing air into the line from the intake manifold. Parts guy said he could not sell me the e version of the PCV, they were back ordered and being held back. Recommended I talk to the service writer. Car is still under warranty and they checked it out and replaced the valve. Not as a recall, but because I was having rough idle and some oil around the cap. Good dealer experience BTW.

The part they used is a newer version than I had seen noted on other threads. Part number from invoice is 06F-129-101-P. It also looks more robust than the leaky e version I had on the car. Here's a couple pics.

http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_0664-1.JPG (http://www.audizine.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=59461&title=06f-129-101-p&cat=500)[/IMG

http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_0665-1.JPG (http://www.audizine.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=59462&title=06f-129-101-p&cat=500)

[bprater13]

Hey guys. Sorry, I kind of forgot to finish of my thread. Replaced the PCV the day after my last post (takes about 10 minutes). Car seemed to run much smoother almost immediately and the "squealing" noise when I was sitting in idle stopped. Also noticed about 3 days later when I started the car up in the morning that the CEL had disappeared. Car has run great and no noises, rough idling, or sputtering in the least for the past month since the swap. Also, just to note, I did not buy the gaskets and new tube after testing my tube for leaks. Just bought the PCV itself which only cost me about 30 bucks. Thanks everybody for the help.