3.0L: CCV Failure and Replacement

[nate13]

Wanted to share this here for anyone else dealing with the issue

Conditions of failure:

• Short (<15 minute) drives in -0F temperature
• Idling of car for extended periods of time (>10m)

Mode of failure:
While driving, vehicle emitted large amount of smoke, low power. Turned off the road, turned off ignition. Tried to start car, would not crank.

Cause of failure:
Crank Case Ventelation valve assembly frozen to a position that causes oil to be vaccumed into the intake. Depending on failure, can result in burning oil to hydrolocking the engine (this case).

Repair (from an e46, same engine, same principals)

I've gone one step further in this case, since the hydrolock condition. I've removed the intake manifold (instructions) as to clean the oil, ease the installation of the CCV, and inspect related components. Here's where I'm at now:


My next steps are to replace the valve cover gasket, remove oil from the cylinders by cranking the engine, and reassembly of the parts.

I'll post updates here as she goes back together!