EMTSSTOru SUB SYSIEMS - Posf tive Crankcase {entilation System

i-

During normal compression stroke, a small amount of gases in the combustion chamber

esca[espastthepiston'Approximalely7O%ofthese''b1owby'.gaSeSareunburnedfuel(HC) that can dilute and contaminate the engine oil, cause corrosion to critical parts, and contribute tosludgebuiIdup.Athigherenginesp_eeds,blowbygaSeSincreasecrankcasepressurethat can cause oil ieakage from sealed engine surfaces.
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Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system is to remove these harmful gases from the crankcase before damage occurs and combine-them with the engine's normal incoming airlfuel charge. Fuel injected Toyota vehicles use two different types of closed PCV systems to prevent the escape of crankcase vapors into the atmosphere:

. Fixed Orifice PCV

System

. PCV System Using Variable Flow PCV Valve

Fixed Orifice PCV System

Air Cleaner

balance the strength of

v
System characteristics.

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<...

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Blow-by Gas FreSh Air Mixturc

i Fixed Orifice PCV On some early Toyota EFI vehicles, a fixed orifice PCV system is used to meter blowby from the crankcase into the intake manifold, where they would be consumed durlng normal engine operation. This system is simple in design and construction, and providbs crankcase ventilation based on the size of the fixed orifice valves and the normal operating characteristics of intake manifold.vacuum. The two fixed orifice valves are used to balartce the strength of vacuum applied to the crankcase as engine operating conditions change. The biggest drawback of this type system is that blowby production does not always match intake manifold vacuum
!

EMISSION SUB SYSTEMS - Positive Cran kcase

Ve

nti I ati o n Sysfem

PCV Valve

Used on all curent Toyota vehicles. A PCV valve is used to accuratety regulate

bbwby flow back into the

PCV System Using Variable-Flow PCV Unlike fixed orifice iype systems, PCV systbms'that use a variable-flow PCV valve more accurately match ventilation flow with blowby production characteristics. By accurately matching
:

Valve

theses two factors, crankcase ventilation performance is optimized, while engine performance

PCV Valve Flow

Characteristics
fl ow

As shouzn, the PCV valve characteristrbs close/y m atc h blow by prod u cti on characteristbs.

Weak <(tull load)

VACUUM

.+

Strorig

(ldllng)

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EMrSSrOn, SUB SYSIEMS - Posftive Crankcase Ventilation System

PCV System

Components

Thevariable-flowtypePCVsystemsarealsoverysimpleindesi$nandponsistsofthe
foliowing components"

. PCV Valve . PCV purge hose . Breather hose

,:
;

PCV System Operation Like the previous system, this system also useis manifold vacuum to draw crankcase vapors back into the intake manifold. Typically, blowby production is the greatest during high load operations and very light during idle and light load operations. Since thelcharacterigtics manifold vacuum do not match the flow requirements needed for proper crankcase ventilation, a PCV valve is used to regulate blowby flow back into the intake manifold.

of

During idle and deceleration, blowby production is very low, but intake manifold vacuum is very high. This causes the pintle inside the PCV valve to-fully rqtract against spring tension. The positioning of the pintle provides a small vacuum passage and allows for low blowby flow to the combustion chamber.

(ldle, Deceleration)
Pintle fully retracted ; provides low blwrbyflow

PCV Valve

Vacuum passage small

During low load qruising, the pintlerinside the PCV valve is positipned somewhat in the positioning allows a moderate volume of blowby flow into the center of its "combustion travel. This

chamber.

PCV Valve (Low Load Cruising)

Vacuum passage large

moderute blawby frow.

PCV valve open

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EMTSSTOru

SUB SySfEMS - Fositive Crankcase Ventitaticin System

During acceleration and high load operations, blowby production is very high. The pintle extends out further from the restriction allowing the maximum flow of blowby into the combustion chamber. During extremely high engine loads, if blowby volume exceeds the ability of the PCV valve to draw in the vapors, the excess blowby flows through the breather hose to the air cleaner housing where it can enter the combustion chamber.

PCV Valve (Acceleration, lligh Load)

Vacuum passage large

valve oppn

When the engine is off or it backfires, spring tension closes the yalve compfetely preventing the release of blowby into the intake manifold. The valve closes during a backfire to prevent the flame frorn traveling into the crankcase where it could ignite the enclosed fuel vapors.
(

PCV Valve (Engine Oll, Backfire)

Valve
I

closed.

PCV

valve closed

PCV System Effects on Emissions and Driveability Because PCV operation is factored into the proper operation of the feedpack control system, problems with the PCV system may disrupt the normal airi fuel ratio balance. A plugged PCV valve will prevent the normal flow of crankcase vapors into the engine and can result in a richer

than normal airlfuel mixture. A plugged crankcase breather hose may cause the engine to consume oil because of the increased level of crankcase vacuum.
:

ln addition, depending on the location of the fresh air breather hose, a nonfunctional valve or restricted vacuum hose can cause oil contamination in the air cleaner housing or throttle bore coking. Always suspect and check the PCV system if you find traces of oil in the air intake system.

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EMTSSTON SUB

SYSIEMS - Positive Crankcase Ventitation System

lfthecrankcasebecomesdilutedwithfuel,carbonmonoxide(Co)level$willlikelyincrease dilutedengineoilandidentifyandresoIvetheproblemcausingthefuelcontaminated.
because the PCV system will meter extra fuel vapor into the intake system. Always replace fuel
,

Although there are no mandatory maintenance intervals for the PCV system, periodica.lly check the system for a plugged or gummed PCV valve and damaged hoses. Replace suspect components as necessary. Since PCV flow rates differ between vehicle.models, it is important to use the correct replacement PCV valve to ensure proper operation. The installation of an incorrect valve may cause engine stalling, rough idle and other driveability complaints. Thus, never install universal type PCV valves!
PCV System Functional Tests The following RPM Drop Test may be used as a basic quick check to cohfirm that the system is functioning:

'
:

PCV

.Starttheengineandallowittoreachoperatingtemperature

'

On TCCS equipped vehicles, connect TE to E1 at the diagnostic oonnector

. ' '

Allow the engine to stabilize at idle

vacuu,

.ori."

Typically, engine rpm should drop around 50 rpm lf engine rpm does not change, check the PCV valve and system hoses for blockage. Replace componbnts as neceisary and then retest the

system.

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