Pcv valve and hoses

My pcv hoses are very badly deteriated and I am looking to get them fixed. Does anyone know of a good place to get the parts? Are main dealers the only option or are there indy's who would be better?

While I know the hoses are shot, how could I tell if the actual valve needs replacing also? Is a visual check the only way or would it throw a cel perhaps?

Most of the l322's on the road must have this problem and from my own reading on the function of the pcv system it seems the result of a faulty system could be a catastrophic failure of the engine as the piston rings fail. As this is unlikely since a lot of l322's would be doing this if it were the case, is replacing the valve /hoses really that important? I've read faulty valve/hoses could lead to other problems such as bad lpg but I can't see how this could be the case given the function of the system.

Saint is your man as he has a real good write up on replacing the valve
My hoses were shot and leaking oil everywhere but I didn't change the valve and separator but wish I had. I had the transmission out of mine at the time so it was easy
I used either britcar or island 4x4 for the hoses and the Russian microcat website to identify all the part numbers.
I think you can get vacuum issues if you don't fix it and oil will be leaking everywhere

KILOCHARLIE said:

My pcv hoses are very badly deteriated and I am looking to get them fixed. Does anyone know of a good place to get the parts? Are main dealers the only option or are there indy's who would be better?

While I know the hoses are shot, how could I tell if the actual valve needs replacing also? Is a visual check the only way or would it throw a cel perhaps?

Most of the l322's on the road must have this problem and from my own reading on the function of the pcv system it seems the result of a faulty system could be a catastrophic failure of the engine as the piston rings fail. As this is unlikely since a lot of l322's would be doing this if it were the case, is replacing the valve /hoses really that important? I've read faulty valve/hoses could lead to other problems such as bad lpg but I can't see how this could be the case given the function of the system.

Click to expand...

Island 4x4 is the best place for parts at good prices (no affiliation)

In the extreme case, PCV failure can lose you the engine as the crankcase pressure rises and blows all the oil out of every conceivable joint/seal/crack/crevice/weak point....ruining the engine and at worst starting a fire which will trash the car.

But this is an extreme case......the legend that is Storey Wilson of RWS fame had PCV failure and it blow all his oil out so it can happen, and has been documented in the BMW world frequently in the vehicles that use the same engine (E38, E39, E53 and the 8 Series E31) the reason most L322 owners don't seem to report it is because they have replaced it due to reading reports or suffering minor symptoms.....Range Rover drivers tend to get things fixed as they know they are unreliable.

One thing to check for is oil stains on the rocker covers and down the sides of the engine indicating the crankcase is pressurising and oil is escaping, or take the covers off and look in the spark plug wells for oil that has been forced out.

Won't necessarily cause a CEL unless it is so bad it has led to an induction air leak or the oil in the spark plug wells has caused a misfire.

It is a bit of a faff to get to but it can be done, be mindful that the thing is held on using torx bolts and they tend to strip and also the plastic can be brittle and there is a small pipe well hidden that can be a PITA.

I did a how to in the How To section and also Deasy has done a write up about it to with diagrams.

Not changing it and the hoses is a risk, in the best case you MPG drops and it runs a bit rough...in the worst case it could ruin your car or kill you in a fireball....your choice, for the sake of a few quid and a few hours of my time....I know what I would do (and did)!

I got my pcv valve from eBay but from the usa. It was cheaper than any uk supplier. Do all pipes and the separator. Don't forget the little vacuum pipe!