CCV Test?
 

With the cold weather that we are now experiencing, and the concerns about the poorly designed CCV valve that the German Engineers had designed for the X cars, is this Youtube Video for testing the CCV valve valid?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nbp5GkGAwLw

What is valid is that if the separator is frozen closed, then removing the oil filer cap will show you that there is pressure building up. The Chewbaca noise is optional. On the other hand, if it freezes open, then there will be no noise or pressure, but on high vacuum, ie when lifting the throttle, it can draw oil from the sump into the intake tract, potentially leading to a hydraulic lock and major engine damage. So the video is very incomplete, IMO.

And if you drive it as it was designed, ie limit the short trips and make sure it gets hot and stays there, you won't have a problem as you will boil off the condensation and not get a buildup of the paste.

I thought it was designed to provide reliable transportation for people wanting the ultimate driving experience Unfortunately, we don't live in the country but in an Urban environment. Trips under 5 miles are the norm rather then the exceptions.

The good news is that I perform the oil cap test and didn't get the Chewbacca howl so hopefully the CCV system is working properly.

Will be taking the family skiing this week and the resort area will experiencing sub-zero temp during the nights. The good news is that it's a three hours drive to the ski area so hopefully the engine will burn off any condensations.

It can perform properly above freezing temperatures and then freeze at lower temperatures. That can happen if it is clogged up with condensate that has emulsified into a paste. Getting the engine hot and burning off the moisture is a good thing, as it womt add more condensatemto the CCV, but it does nothing for the gunk that is already in the CCV, which doesn't get hot in normal operation.

FWIW, I had virtually no oil loss for years, then last year I started to notice much oil use and was constantly having to add oil (2006 3.0 100k miles). Also, noticed much white goo under oil fill cap. I suspected the CCV after much reading. Replaced it this fall, and I am back to virtually no oil loss.