DIY Solution to M54-M52TU CCV problems

[80stech]

The cold weather parts don't help that much in really cold weather. Moisture build-up freezes in the vacuum manifold instead of the CCV.

[80stech]

@bcredliner You do make a good point, it is a bit scary that most of the guys doing the mod don't really understand how either system works. Like I said earlier, in most cases there is a bit a luck/magic involved as well.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by 80stech

@bcredliner You do make a good point, it is a bit scary that most of the guys doing the mod don't really understand how either system works. Like I said earlier, in most cases there is a bit a luck/magic involved as well.

It might be better, it's easy to innovate if you don't know it can't be done.

[lo_jack]

Originally Posted by 80stech

@bcredliner You do make a good point, it is a bit scary that most of the guys doing the mod don't really understand how either system works. Like I said earlier, in most cases there is a bit a luck/magic involved as well.

That is why when I do something about this, I am going to replicate a different stock system. M56 SULEV. One hopes the engineers that deployed it knew the answers to those questions...because it did get approved and implemented. I'm just going to copy them.

[80stech]

@lo-jack
It's best to inform yourself about how things work and know how you want to change them, not to try to copy. It might be the same engineers that designed the M54 CCCV ! What I am really curious about is why the crankcase needs to be completely closed in the first place? emmisions maybe ? to meet what spec? what is the reasoning ?

[StephenVA]

Closed crankcase venting systems (CCV) are a US Federal emissions requirements from the 70's as part of the requirements to capture the evaporation (venting) emissions (began in the late 60's for CA vehicles). They require a manufacturer to reduce the output of engine combustion vapors, gas evaporation, etc. The test is a vehicle in a plastic bag. Every year this capture requirement level was raised throughout the 80-90's. Before then everything was vented to the ground. Welcome to US DOT emissions regulations, now Euro and hence worldwide. See India and South America for non compliance. Gee I wonder if those vehicles had a different system due to no country mandated regulations required?

[80stech]

StepenVA, I think you mean "positive crankcase ventilation" PCV not CCV

[80stech]

I think the idea behind the CCV is to keep the recycled gases as inert as possible to reduce NOS emmisions similar to how an EGR works. Sucks for moisture though! ;( even a small amount of atmospere let in would allow the whole thing to work a lot better. I imagine the engineers where given zero tolerance though.

[StephenVA]

A PCV is a part answer to the CCV challenge. In the US we just call them PCV systems as domestic manufactures use(d) a replaceable tube/vent/orifice that used to be a annual replacement item. In the '65 model year they were required. In 1968-70 days: intake tube in the air cleaner allows filtered air in, PCV tube vented fumes into the intake and hence into the combustion chambers. Way too uncontrolled for emissions now days. A few are still around in 2000's.
ALL the easy systems are long gone....

[StephenVA]

Originally Posted by 80stech

I think the idea behind the CCV is to keep the recycled gases as inert as possible to reduce NOS emmisions similar to how an EGR works. Sucks for moisture though! ;( even a small amount of atmospere let in would allow the whole thing to work a lot better. I imagine the engineers where given zero tolerance though.

NOX is a byproduct of combustion (air/fuel burn). The EGR was introduced to lower the temp and completeness of the burn as NOX increases as the flame wall travels to the very end of the chamber. So they introduced a part of non combustible mix to the intake side to solve that issue for 1972+. Worked OK until someone invented the ability to measure air/fuel ratios on the fly called an O2 sensor, which allows the ratio to be more controlled across the RPM/load ranges. We can and have kicked this one around way too long as it is off topic and is only interesting to SAE geeks.

We are stuck with what the engineers dreamed up and was Federalized for the US and Euro market. It works as designed. We are the last owners (most of us) so we have to suck it up and replace/clean and keep a watchful eye out for what is mostly a winter challenge. (No I did not forget about the oil consumption issue challenge with some applications/engines. Just don't have the issue personally, so I am not expending any grey matter on the issue)