Oil Cap Test for PCV leak

[kaklexicon]

I'm a bit confused how the oil cap test works with the B7. Is there supposed to be suction or not? I suspect my PCV needs to be replaced but I'm not sure how to test it. When the car is running, there is alot of suction on the oil cap and it takes some effort to pull off. Does that mean there is a leak somewhere or is that normal?

[beantown]

Yes. If you have difficulty pulling off the oil cap while the car is running, your PCV is most likely defective. Also, do you see oil around the cap/coilpacks? That is another known indicator.

[kaklexicon]

Thanks for clarifying that beantown, yes there is some oil around the cap/coilpacks too. Looks like it's time for a PCV upgrade.

[pierranchis]

Beantown, just to get it out there. I pulled out the coilpack closest to the front of the motor and saw oil all over (like dripping soaked) with oil. I already went through the pcv fix from the dealer (that when the car was getting oil around the cap). Could this be the valve cover gasket? If so, should I just bite the bullet and get a catch can while I'm at it? Thanks!

[event]

Yes. If you have difficulty pulling off the oil cap while the car is running, your PCV is most likely defective. Also, do you see oil around the cap/coilpacks? That is another known indicator.

Shouldn't there be some vacuum though, or is there supposed to be no resistance when removing the cap at idle?

[makav3li]

im pretty sure there is suppose to be some vacuum, but if its very hard to take off then its an indicator.

[beantown]

Beantown, just to get it out there. I pulled out the coilpack closest to the front of the motor and saw oil all over (like dripping soaked) with oil. I already went through the pcv fix from the dealer (that when the car was getting oil around the cap). Could this be the valve cover gasket? If so, should I just bite the bullet and get a catch can while I'm at it? Thanks!

A bad valve cover gasket would be my first assumption. If you're under warranty then you should definitely have the dealer fix it.

As for a catch-can, I don't have much experience/knowledge on those.

[beantown]

im pretty sure there is suppose to be some vacuum, but if its very hard to take off then its an indicator.

x2...if you've removed your cap multiple times in the past (guessing you have), then you would immediately notice that it's tighter than usual.

[deeznuts]

question about this...when i tried this before, there was some vacuum but it wasnt too difficult to pull out, but the car started to stall the more i went to pull it out...is that normal, or is that also an indication that something is bad

[makav3li]

mine idle's reaall rough when i take off the oil cap, from what i know, thats normal

[deeznuts]

anybody else can second that? i know my buddys b6 2.0 stroker runs perfectly fine when he takes his cap off.

[Leo14]

Yes. If you have difficulty pulling off the oil cap while the car is running, your PCV is most likely defective. Also, do you see oil around the cap/coilpacks? That is another known indicator.

Whoa, I never knew this haha. Just after I got a CEL I pulled the cap and 1. It was basically on fire and 2. it was difficult to get off.. They did replace the PCV though, 2nd time taken in..

[deeznuts]

hmm this has me worried..i may just be paranoid though.....coils, seals, valve covers, pcv,gaskets....what the fuck my life- i hate this car.

[xpanel]

I had the exact same problem, if you get suction, thats bad, your pcv needs be replaced or repaired, you might also experience very loud whistling sounds.

[HermanL]

I got suction, but no oil leak, no whistling noise.....so that would mean i have a bad pcv???..god i am getting paranoid too....

[event]

Found this thread that had a very informative post in it:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...?highlight=pcv

Scroll down to the one by 09etech, hopefully that clears some things up for everyone.

[beantown]

Whoa, I never knew this haha. Just after I got a CEL I pulled the cap and 1. It was basically on fire and 2. it was difficult to get off.. They did replace the PCV though, 2nd time taken in..

What do you mean by "it was basically on fire"? That is was extremely hot or actually smoking?

[beantown]

Found this thread that had a very informative post in it:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...?highlight=pcv

Scroll down to the one by 09etech, hopefully that clears some things up for everyone.

Good find and information there, and, an excellent example of the power of the search function lol.

[kaklexicon]

Found this thread that had a very informative post in it:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...?highlight=pcv

Scroll down to the one by 09etech, hopefully that clears some things up for everyone.

Very informative, thanks!

[kaklexicon]

Just a quick update, it was definitely the PCV Valve. I installed and new one and the oil leak stopped. Also, the old one was letting full air flow through both ways. nasty...

[beantown]

Nice, good to hear. Was the PCV itself the only part you replaced?

[kaklexicon]

Actually, when it first started happening I took it to the dealership and they replaced the valve cover and valve cover gasket under warranty. Then it kept doing it, so I did the upgraded PCV on my own. The oil stopped leaking after that. However, the dealership did say the valve cover gasket was bad, so I guess it was both.

[Leo14]

What do you mean by "it was basically on fire"? That is was extremely hot or actually smoking?

Basically on fire, aka really really really really hot. =P

[CVTwhatadumidea]

Bad pcv? Click here for video