Has your Jeep had a bad PCV valve? How could you know about it? Is it dangerous, or what should you do in such a scenario? Is it safe to drive a car with a bad PCV valve? Most people are stuck in a situation where they have to deal with a bad PCV valve, but the major problem occurs when they don’t know how to handle it. In some situations, there is nothing to do except to drive with a bad PCV. At this crucial time, they often ask about how long can I drive with a bad PCV Valve.
People may drive many miles up to 50000 knowing their PCV valve is malfunctioning. Though it doesn’t cause a big problem, your engine will suffer in the long run. Knowing about each detail of it is necessary, and we are going to discuss that here, so keep reading.
What is PCV Valve?
The PCV valve is a small device in your vehicle. It protects the engine and makes it work properly by recirculating fumes and gases from the engine and sending it back into the intake manifold. PCV Valve is specifically used to clean the engine and keep blow-by gasses (a combination of unburned fuel and exhaust) away. Moreover, it is responsible for the engine running efficiently without any hurdles. Sometimes, dirt accumulates and clogs in these valves, which affects the performance of the engine. A person may experience many problems in the engine due to blockage in the PCV Valve, including engine stalling, decreased gas mileage, and even engine damage.
If someone experiences any type of blockage in the PCV valve, it is important to replace or repair it according to the problem. Here, we will discuss how long can I drive with a bad PCV valve. Though it depends upon the severity of the problem, replacing the faulty PCV valve is best recommended to avoid further or significant damage. Check What Happens If PCV Valve Is Disconnected.
How PCV Valve Affect Vehicle Performance
PCV Valve is a ventilation valve that removes unwanted gases and fumes from the engine and keeps it clean for better performance. If your Jeep PCV valve fails to work properly, it can definitely impact the vehicle’s performance.
When the valve is stuck, unwanted gas and other dirt particles decrease fuel efficiency and increase emission; sometimes, a person can experience decreased horsepower and torque, and sometimes, engine knocking and pinging. The significant problems someone faces due to PCV Valve are as follows:
- If the PCV Valve stops working, your Jeep can experience oil leaks. Due to build-up and blockage in the valve, internal pressure rises, causing oil leakage.
- With a bad PCV valve, the engine cannot get enough air, which means the engine is running rich; it will decrease fuel economy and increase the engine’s emissions.
- It can also cause bluish-smoky exhaust, which is an obvious sign that your engine is working more than normal and burning more oil.
- You have also heard unnecessary engine noises due to a bad PCV Valve; it may be a whistling or hissing sound.
- Sometimes, a bad, positive crankcase ventilation valve turns the engine light on with some other problems, which can be risky. Check the engine light, as it may also indicate a bad PCV.
- It can also cause engine misfiring, as the air-fuel mixture in your Jeep engine gets more air than the fuel. Due to lack of fuel, engine misfiring happens.
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How Long Can I Drive With A Bad PCV Valve
A bad PCV Valve will not stop you from driving a vehicle because there are no immediate safety effects with a bad PCV. But you should be careful and can drive only with damaged positive crankcase ventilation PCV if you have critical fact-based knowledge. Because with a defective valve, the engine uses more oil, and it can be dangerous for it.
The question about how long can I drive with a bad PCV valve answer depends upon the severity of the problem, the engine’s age, and other factors. According to experts, you can go anywhere around 50-55000 miles of distance, but it will result in engine damage.
It is highly recommended not to drive with a bad PCV valve because it is not good for the engine. If someone is stuck in a situation where driving with a harmful PCV is necessary, the maximum you can drive is less than 12 hours because driving more hours with a damaged PCV is risky and dangerous.
Signs of a bad PCV Valve
A positive crankcase ventilation valve is a device that is responsible for the escape of vapors from the crankcase. These vapors harm the engine, which is why the PCV valve must work fine to maintain the engine’s efficiency. So, you should consider the signs of a bad PCV valve to save your car’s engine. The most common symptoms of a faulty PCV valve are as follows:
- Vehicle smell of gasoline or oil
- In some cases, the engine light comes on.
- Increased oil consumption
- The engine hesitates to work properly and becomes rough.
- Smoke from the Exhaust Pipe
- Engine Misfiring
- High Idle RPM/Rough Idle
How To Deal With Bad PCV Valve On The Road
If someone’s car has a bad PCV valve, it is important to deal with it immediately if you can do so because no one wants to damage their car’s engine. So, to cope with the situation or to save you and your Jeep’s engine, we have shared the solution to deal with a bad Positive crankcase ventilation valve on the road below. You can take some precautionary measures to deal with the situation.
- One method is to replace the PCV with a temporary or a band-aid valve. The easiest and simplest way to do this is to replace the PCV valve and install it with a PCV-length vacuum hose between the engine and intake manifold. This will temporarily allow the function of the PCV to continue, and the engine will work at a reduced level of performance.
- Another option you can choose is to remove the air cleaner and run the engine without it. It will allow more air intake into the engine and make it function better. The only disadvantage is that you will have to face a few more pollutants in the environment.
You can choose these two instant methods on the road if you experience a bad PCV valve and need immediate help. If you have the option, then you can choose a mechanic over these methods.
Schedule Repairs for a Faulty PCV Valve
PCV valve is responsible for properly working an engine; therefore, it is necessary to have scheduled repairs and maintenance of the valve. Here are some tips for faulty valve schedule repairs.
- The first step is to diagnose the actual fault of the positive crankcase ventilation valve before making any decision to repair it.
- The second step is to gather information about the vehicle, including its making, model, year, and engine type. Contacting the correct repair shop and asking for the replacement or repair process will be helpful.
- Research the local auto repair shop by checking online reviews or asking your friend to recommend the best for your jeep work.
- Contact the repair shop by calling them or visiting to check their services. Tell them your exact issue and ask for availability and scheduling options.
- Schedule an appointment if you are satisfied with the services of the shop and drop off your vehicle for PCV valve replacement.
- Once they fix the problem, you can pick up and drive your automobile safely.
Cost Of Replacing Faulty PCV Valve
The average cost of replacing a PCV valve is about $60 to $83. This includes part of the engine price and labor cost but not the taxes, which vary from area to area. The cost of replacing a faulty valve may vary depending on the problem and the repair shop’s location.
Conclusion
PCV valve is a critical part of the vehicle responsible for the proper working of an engine, and it is necessary to take action if you feel that it is not properly working. In this article, we have covered each and every piece of information related to how long can i drive with a bad PCV valve. Seek the information to save your Jeep from big damage to the part of the engine. Enjoy your jeep ride with an efficient PCV valve and engine, and fulfill your duty towards Mother Nature by keeping the environment clean.
