Idle problem - PCV Valve? **RESOLVED**

[Welshman Adam]

Hi all,

My ED30 has developed an idling problem.  The revs drop from the usual 900 rpm when warm, down to about 750 rpm where she stutters and then after a few seconds they rise to about 1,300 rpm briefly before going back to stuttering at 750 rpm.  

I removed the MAF sensor and noticed no difference.  

At one point the revs went up as high as 2,500 rpm before she settled back into the 750 - 1,300 rpm routine.  

Can anyone confirm that this is the PCV valve?  

Am a little cheesed off at the moment, I only had a rear wheel bearing changed a couple of weeks ago, and the AC fan replaced in May, oh and 2 new tyres fitted at the beginning of August...  She's become a bit of a money pit lately...  

[Tortaruga]

Sounds like a pcv alright. It's a cheap part and you can diy. Revision N is the latest correct part number.

[Welshman Adam]

Cheers.  I did have a good look around on the forum before posting this, just wanted to be sure before I order the parts.

TPS have them in stock local to me, I'll pick one up after work.

[Welshman Adam]

Next question, should I be changing the breather pipe at the same time?  And if so does anyone have the part number please?

[Welshman Adam]

Fixed this last night by replacing the PCV valve.  Now idles fine and feels a little perkier when driving too.   

Toughest part of the job was getting the bleeding engine cover off! 

[Dave J]

That's good to hear. I asked about the breather hose when at my local VW parts desk and they said they only change the gasket and PCV unit.
Not sure how much I trust them!

Need to fit a new valve to mine - am getting some bumpy idle and slow cranking, so a new PCV is waiting to be fitted...

Glad it solved your issues - have ordered some of the lugs that the engine cover fits to as I had read about how hard it is to remove it cleanly, and without breaking them.

Will attempt it this weekend...

[Welshman Adam]

I also asked about the hoses at TPS.  They said most people just change the PCV and gasket, so much so that they don't keep a stock of hoses, they have to order them in.  I didn't change mine and she's running fine. 

The old PCV was knackered, when you shook it you could hear pieces rattling around inside!

One tip I did read regarding the lugs - warm the engine up to make the rubber bungs more supple.  And to put it back on, make sure the bungs are in the engine cover rather than on the mounting posts, this made it easier.  I also put a splash of WD40 on the bungs to help them slide onto the posts.

[Scottymon]

Can you get the PCV online anywhere?  Don't have time to get to the dealers.

[mesaosi]

Plenty on eBay

[Scottymon]

Thanks, I did look using "PCV Mk5" search terms and it returned nothing in the UK, but using the P/N: 06F129101N there are some, cheers.

How much are these from the dealers? £43 on eBay.

[Welshman Adam]

My dealer quoted £38 inc VAT.  Beadles of Sevenoaks.

[Scottymon]

Thanks mate... Ebay price isn't bad then considering it includes delivery.

[Dave J]

Well, I fitted my new PCV valve today - very straightforward once I worked out how to get the engine cover off, and the breather hose clips that fit to the PCV.

Spent more time cleaning than I did fitting!!

Started the car afterward, and rather than spluttering to life (that it had been doing), it started cleanly & smoothly. Haven't driven it yet to see if it has solved the feeling of the engine missing when stopped at lights, but it idles better already!