How a Malfunctioning Crankcase Ventilation Valve Affects Your BMW

When it comes to the performance and longevity of your BMW, every component plays a crucial role in keeping your vehicle running smoothly. One of the less talked about parts is the crankcase ventilation valve (also known as the PCV valve). This part is one that is rather small and unless you are super familiar with a vehicle from bumper to bumper, you might not have any idea that this little valve has a huge impact on the way your engine runs.

What Is a Crankcase Ventilation Valve and How Does It Work?

The crankcase ventilation valve is part of your BMW’s engine ventilation system. This part helps to regulate the flow of gases produced within the crankcase and prevent pressure buildup. Too much pressure within the crankcase can end up ‘blowing up’ the parts in and around it which is a really big problem! When the engine is working, combustion gases and blow-by gases can enter the crankcase which can build up pressure within, so the crankcase ventilation valve allows those gases to be taken back into the intake manifold which takes away the pressure. The valve is the important piece that acts sort of like a crossing guard directing children it a school zone – it directs gases away from the crankcase so your engine can continue running safely.

How a Malfunctioning Crankcase Ventilation Valve Affects Your BMW

When the crankcase ventilation valve starts acting up and isn’t working the way it should, it can create a series of issues that can affect your BMW’s engine performance, fuel efficiency, and can start having you spending more money on repairs than you’d like.

A PCV valve that isn’t working the way it should can lead to too much pressure buildup in the engine’s crankcase. This happens when the valve doesn’t open or close how it was designed to, causing the gases to become caught inside the crankcase. At first you might not notice anything is wrong. You could be out enjoying the park – checking out festivals, spending weekends driving to see live music, not realizing there’s an issue. But as time goes by, the pressure buildup can start to cause oil leaks. As time goes by, the pressure can also lead to blown seals around other engine components and that is where bigger problems start happening within the engine.

You can also find that when the crankcase ventilation valve malfunctions, you can end up with engine sludge buildup. Without proper ventilation, oil vapors and other contaminants that should be burned off in the combustion process can condense and build up as sludge inside the engine. As you continue to drive around – let’s say coming from a day at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library, you could find yourself on the side of the road with an overheating engine. Not because you visited the library, but because when the PCV valve malfunctions, overtime you’ll find that the debris can clog parts including oil passages, filters, and even the engine oil pump.

If the crankcase ventilation valve fails to properly manage airflow, it can lead to irregular pressure fluctuations within the engine. This can affect the air-fuel mixture, leading to rough idling, misfires, and a noticeable loss of engine performance. A malfunctioning PCV valve can cause an imbalance in the air-fuel ratio, which impacts the combustion process. Think of it like when you go for a run, but you have a thick, heavy scarf over your face. As you run, you aren’t going to be able to keep up running, you’ll start losing power and acceleration – just like your BMW would with a PCV valve that isn’t working right.

A malfunctioning crankcase ventilation valve can make you feel like you are standing at the fuel pump more than you are behind the wheel. If the system isn’t functioning properly, it can result in the engine running less efficiently, leading to your BMW sucking down much more fuel than before.

Why You Should Consult Ultimate Bimmer Service

If you suspect that your BMW’s crankcase ventilation valve is malfunctioning, you are going to want to have a certified technician take a look. If you are in the Carrollton or Dallas, TX area, come on over to Ultimate Bimmer Service to meet with our great team here. We will treat you and your BMW like family and can get you back on the road – and get you back to enjoying the drive versus dreading it!

A malfunctioning crankcase ventilation valve can make you feel like your BMW isn’t at all what you wanted – but we can get you falling back in love with your BMW! Regular maintenance and early diagnosis are key to keeping your vehicle running smoothly. For BMW owners, Ultimate Bimmer Service is your go-to source if you have questions or issues with your crankcase ventilation valve.