Fram FV388 Positive Crankcase Ventilation PCV Valve
PCV stands for Positive Crankcase Ventilation. The PCV valve was the first of the emission system components to be put into production vehicles. Critical to emissions compliance testing, FRAM PCV Valves can help to ensure that your vehicle meets the emission standards. Regular maintenance helps to avoid poor engine performance, rough idling, and stalling. To remove the PCV valve, just pull it out of the valve cover and pull off the hose. To test the PCV valve, start the engine, pull the valve out of the valve cover and put your thumb over the hole in the end. If you hear a little click, then the PCV valve is good. If there is no vacuum at the hole, either the valve is bad or the hose is bad. To see if the hose is bad, pull the hose off and put your thumb over the end. If there is vacuum, replace the PCV valve. If not, replace the hose. It is important to note that PCV valves are sized for specific engine applications. The wrong PCV valve for an application can flow too much or too little air causing drivability problems. Although the PCV valve is a simple device, it is designed to reduce the air pressure inside the engine and redirect it to the air intake system. Since the air is contaminated with oil, gasoline and engine metal residue, this in time will affect the operation of the valve assembly. The valve can plug up over time, which will result in a poor running engine that delivers less power and reduced fuel economy. It is a simple and inexpensive repair that will help contribute to a fuel-efficient and smooth running engine.