GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

A closed crankcase ventilation system is used to provide a more complete scavenging of crankcase vapors. Fresh air is supplied to the crankase through the throttle body into a passage in the upper plenum of the intake manifold, then out to the right valve cover, mixed with blow-by gasses and then passed through a crankase ventilation valve into the intake manifold for reburning.

Typical Crankcase Ventilation Valve Flow


Object Number: 377108  Size: SH
(1)Vapors from crankase
(2)Crankcase Ventilation Valve
(3)Throttle Body
(4)Inlet air to crankcase

The primary control is through the crankcase ventilation valve which meters the flow at a rate depending on manifold vacuum. To maintain idle quality, the crankcase ventilation valve restricts the flow when intake manifold vacuum is high. If abnormal operating conditions arise, the system is designed to allow excessive amounts of blow-by gases to back flow through the crankcase vent tube into the intake manifold to be consumed by normal combustion.

PCV Cutaway


Object Number: 13636  Size: SH
(1)Check Valve

Results of Incorrect Operation

A plugged PCV valve or hose may cause:

    • Rough idle
    • Stalling or slow idle speed
    • Oil leaks
    • Sludge in engine

A leaking valve or hose would cause:

    • Rough idle
    • Stalling
    • High idle speed