mwiener2 Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 I guess that makes sense, but still doesn't explain why sparks are transferring into a 100% rubber hose! Because it's not 100% rubber! It's got lead in it... apparently enough to conduct high voltage electricity. If that spark is jumping through a spark boot to a rubber hose, it's time to get new spark wires. My Mods List (Updated 8/22/17) 2005 Outback FMT Running on Electrons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burnout8488 Posted January 24, 2011 Author Share Posted January 24, 2011 Interesting. I figured there must be some sort of metallic compound in the hose! My wires are less than a year old, blue Ralliteks. All is well since I ziptied the PCV hose out of the way though - it was deformed from yanking on it trying to pull it off the PCV. Got the PCV from autozone, looks identical to the above picture. MPG is still doing excellent. Low 30's on the highway. That PCV hose pictured above is nothing like the one on my 2.5i. It's just a straight shot (with one bend I believe) from the PCV (down on the crankcase) to the metal PCV plumbing on the intake manifold. My oil consumption is still mind bogglingly bad. No smoke whatsoever out of the exhaust, but it's gotta be going somewhere. No leaks underneath either. Either head gasket at this point or worn rings is my guess. Not in any rush to do any mechanical work on this car yet again until its at least 60 out. -8º right now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-BGTLimited Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 The hose pictured above is for the 05-06 LGT, they are different and threaded into a plastic coupler that branches off to a few other locations. If you can get the PCV out you can buy the single part from Autozone for say a 2.5i and install it into the plastic part on your LGT. I was able to free mine but I cleaned it and re-installed it since it seemed to work fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShrinerMonkey Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 My oil consumption is still mind bogglingly bad. No smoke whatsoever out of the exhaust, but it's gotta be going somewhere. No leaks underneath either. Either head gasket at this point or worn rings is my guess. Not in any rush to do any mechanical work on this car yet again until its at least 60 out. -8º right now! The bad PCV might have caused a blown seal(s) in the engine somewhere. That is why PCV should be a regular maintenance item. Like I said, a bad PCV can be devestating to an engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burnout8488 Posted January 24, 2011 Author Share Posted January 24, 2011 The bad PCV might have caused a blown seal(s) in the engine somewhere. That is why PCV should be a regular maintenance item. Like I said, a bad PCV can be devestating to an engine. Agreed. That crankcase pressure couldn't have been good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kujito Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 The replacement was $20 from autozone. Seems high. :eek: Really?! Sounds like your store really brings the suck. The AZ pieces list for $2.99 here (Denver area), and the most expensive NAPA one is $7.04. O'Reily/Checker has one for $1.99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naimouasta Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 i'm guessing these are special or something. plus considering they are not considered a maintenance item by subaru, its more expensive versus the older type pcv valve that screws into the intake manifold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pre-dent Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 I was able to access my pcv valve by simply disconnecting the 2 plug wires from above it, pulling the hose off, and slipping a 3/4" deep socket with extension down there. When I removed it I shook it to see if it rattled, I was surprised with 105k that I could hear a little ticking inside. After spraying it out with some cleaner and compressed air it looked a lot better and rattled louder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
six rotors Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 If you turn the pcv upside down and use a small pick you can push the plunger down and you will see it is spring loaded to return.By squirting brake cleaner or similar solvent in when you push the plunger down it is easy to clean.When clean the plunger is absolutly free and will return to the top instantly.If the spring is broken or weak the part should be replaced. I cleaned mine this am---about 100k miles on it and cleaned up really well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burnout8488 Posted February 2, 2011 Author Share Posted February 2, 2011 I'm glad I started a PCV cleaning revolution! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naimouasta Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 did this last night while i did my oil change. i noticed that the last 3 oil changes, oil was blacker quicker. maybe this will help with that and gas mileage. it did NOT CLICK AT ALL at 72k miles, but it did clean up well after i let it soak in brake cleaner and then blew it out with air gun a bunch of times. definately should be a maintenance item. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEE-OTTO Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 I'm glad I started a PCV cleaning revolution! Cleaned the PCV last night WOW what a bitch to get to I had to take off the air box, bracket for the airbox and the coil to get my deep well 19mm socket on the valve. It came off with some force and I used brake cleaner to spray into it and get all the bunk out. It rattles like a snake now. Put it back should be good for another 50K or so, I noticed that the valve plunger was loose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naimouasta Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 you did too? wow what a coincidence LOL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burnout8488 Posted March 23, 2011 Author Share Posted March 23, 2011 I honestly think the PCV is a 3/4" socket/spanner wrench - probably the only SAE fastener on the whole car. 19mm didn't fit for me for some reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naimouasta Posted April 17, 2011 Share Posted April 17, 2011 just to update, after 1900mi on this current OCI, i have used close to no oil, where before i would have added about 1/2qt to 3/4qt. this time i didn't bother to add any. i'm at 74k miles now. definately if anyone has a high mileage 2.5i, check your PCV's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soloz2 Posted May 1, 2011 Share Posted May 1, 2011 I just replaced mine yesterday morning. I pulled the airbox thing and the two spark plug wires. I had to bust out a 3/4" deep socket and extensions and then the 1/2" adapter and breaker bar. It was really on there! I priced up the PCV valve at Napa (who doesn't stock anything) Advance and Auto Zone. They were about $17-20 but no one had them in stock. So I called the dealer and they had them in stock for $16. Unfortunately, I also wanted to get my car up on ramps and see what is rubbing/squeaking up front when I turn so I didn't get to go for a drive yet. I did start her up and after she started a tad rough the idle evened out just fine. Current: 16 Crosstrek Premium w/ Eyesight & 05 Outback XT 5MT Past Subies: 14 FXT Premium, 14 WRX hatch, 06 Legacy 2.5i SE 5MT, 98 Outback wagon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naimouasta Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 i think you can just clean it. it will be fine. also i've read that sometimes aftermarket ones don't work as well as OEM ones because of the spring inside or whatever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soloz2 Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 I replaced the PCV valve with an OEM replacement and now I seem to be getting about 1-2mpg lower. Also on a cold start (as in car sat for several hours and its 35-50 out) the idle seems to be a tad rougher. No codes and the car runs fine when it's warmed up. Current: 16 Crosstrek Premium w/ Eyesight & 05 Outback XT 5MT Past Subies: 14 FXT Premium, 14 WRX hatch, 06 Legacy 2.5i SE 5MT, 98 Outback wagon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.sane Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 Did you reset the ECU? Might be a good idea if it's been used to a dirty PCV all this time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burnout8488 Posted May 7, 2011 Author Share Posted May 7, 2011 Make sure your spark plug wires aren't touching the PCV hose. One of mine was and was sparking against it, causing a misfire. I had to zip-tie my PCV hose to the airbox support, out of the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soloz2 Posted May 8, 2011 Share Posted May 8, 2011 I'll do both those. Current: 16 Crosstrek Premium w/ Eyesight & 05 Outback XT 5MT Past Subies: 14 FXT Premium, 14 WRX hatch, 06 Legacy 2.5i SE 5MT, 98 Outback wagon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burnout8488 Posted May 8, 2011 Author Share Posted May 8, 2011 I hope they help! Post #20 is the video of my sparking problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soloz2 Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 Last night I disconnected my battery and I just reconnected it this morning. I realized that I should get new battery terminals. I'll see if this helps things today and go from there. Current: 16 Crosstrek Premium w/ Eyesight & 05 Outback XT 5MT Past Subies: 14 FXT Premium, 14 WRX hatch, 06 Legacy 2.5i SE 5MT, 98 Outback wagon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soloz2 Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 Just an update: Car feels a lot better now and my mileage is back up. My avg has been 26.1MPG since I bought the car in November. The last tank after replacing the PCV I got 24.8. I haven't run a complete tank this week, but my car says I'm getting 28+ on this tank which probably means about 27MPG. Current: 16 Crosstrek Premium w/ Eyesight & 05 Outback XT 5MT Past Subies: 14 FXT Premium, 14 WRX hatch, 06 Legacy 2.5i SE 5MT, 98 Outback wagon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guy2can Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 Well had lots of fun finding the location of the PCV valve on the 2.5i. Back RH corner of motor besides the engine harness connector. I had to take of the air box and one bracket and used a snap-on offset wrench 3/4" or 19 mm will work too. You could take off the harness bracket to make it easy. Here are some pictures of the location. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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