Oil filler cap suction, oil on coil packs

[ABL2point0T]

Today I went to change the plugs and upgrade to NGK's. When i pulled the coil packs, 1 coilpack and plug was completely clean, the other 3 were covered in oil. #4 (the closest one to the firewall) was the only dry one. I swapped them out, obviously when I reinstalled coilpacks, and cranked up the car there was smoke from whatever dripped into the cylinders. Everything started fine, no hesitation. I went to check the oil filler cap, when i opened it, it was being pulled down by some type of vacuum. Not difficult to take out, but i found it puzzling. When i went to remove the dipstick, the car shuttered, and increased idle rpm's. I did not find this normal. I got into the car after the smoke was done (about 2 min). drove it, everything was fine. Went to dinner, everything is fine, but the car doesnt seem to be at full power.

I have apr chip and exhaust, and it used to really put me in the seat. I have searched and think it might be the PCV, but am not 100% sure. Sorry for the long winded post, any ideas or same symptoms? I am planning on taking the car on a 4 hour drive tomorrow and dont want anything to come up, should i drop it at the dealer and get a loaner for the trip?

[rxer311]

Sounds like PVC, but sorry can't say for sure.

[Zebman]

PCV is supposed to put vacuum on the crankcase and therefore the oil cap. This misconception runs rampant on this forum. The only real tell-tale way to know is to watch for oil around the cap, or to take the hose off and try to suck/blow through it. It's easy to take off.

I fear oil on multiple coilpacks runs deeper than a busted pcv valve unfortunately. It's hard for oil to get there. Even if your pcv valve was busted and oil was running from the cap to the packs, only the first one and MAYBE the second one would have oil on them, and it'd be minimum.

[ABL2point0T]

No CEL's or anything, I really hope this is as simple as the PCV.

[mellonhdz]

When my PCV went out, the dealer tech was able to unscrew the oil cap while my car was running. He explained to me a normally functioning PCV would not allow this to happen.
I never tried doing this before so I had to trust his expert opinion. When he did this, my car started to stall/misfire. The repair cost me over $200.

Hope this helps.

[LimiTed]

when my pvc went out i had oil all around the oil cap area. no CEL

[Tusin]

It is the PCV or head gasket. If you have a warranty just drop it off and get the loaner. It is not worth the risk.

Sorry to go SOMEWHAT OT here. But I have always been told and have read 100% the opposite of what mellonhdz's dealer tech told him. I am not an expert so I cannot say if or why that information is wrong.

To reiterate what I have read multiple times. Is if you CAN easily remove the oil cap while the car is running the PCV is working fine. But if you are unable to, or if it feels like it is being sucked into the engine the PCV is faulty.

If I am reading Zebman correctly is he stating that the same as what mellonhdz's tech told him, that the PCV should be creating the vacuum if working correctly. But if there is supposed to be a vacuum, what creates the vacuum when you run a catch-can, or VTA setup?

FYI not saying that either of you are wrong. I am honestly asking the question. Because if 90% of the information regarding this is incorrect on the 'Zine we should try to get the correct info out there.

[CoDRoX]

When my PCV went out, the dealer tech was able to unscrew the oil cap while my car was running. He explained to me a normally functioning PCV would not allow this to happen.

To reiterate what I have read multiple times. Is if you CAN easily remove the oil cap while the car is running the PCV is working fine. But if you are unable to, or if it feels like it is being sucked into the engine the PCV is faulty.

If I am reading Zebman correctly is he stating that the same as what mellonhdz's tech told him, that the PCV should be creating the vacuum if working correctly. But if there is supposed to be a vacuum, what creates the vacuum when you run a catch-can, or VTA setup?

So which one is it?

[B72.0T]

I vote for valve cover gasket.