Minis are well-known for the comfort, high performance, and reliability they offer to their customers. The size and style of Minis are what you notice first, along with its customizations. When driving a Mini, you also see that your rides are smooth and fun in their entirety.
No doubt, Minis are one of the most enjoyable cars on the road. Even with all these qualities and the innovative design its creators, Minis are subject to the wrath of natural wear and tear. Owners of Minis around the world have found that the PCV valve of their vehicles quickly develops faults.
The PCV valve is one of the many important components of your Mini. You often hear about engines, radiators, and brakes, but the PCV valve isn’t a common conversation piece. This article aims to inform you of what the PCV valve does, the signs to look for when it fails, and the best auto repair shop to fix it.
What is a PCV valve?
The Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve was introduced to cars in the 1960s to solve unburned fuels that leak from a car’s engine. The PCV valve of your Mini is located beneath the hood, inside the engine. It functions as a direct valve that removes gas from the engine’s crankcase and back into the internal combustion chambers using the intake manifold.
Because the PCV valve is in the engine, it has a significant influence on its overall performance. If it becomes faulty, the performance of your Mini will reduce, poor emission from the engine will rise, and the overall engine efficiency will reduce. So, you must pay attention to your vehicle and look for these common signs that could indicate PCV valve failure.
Illuminated Check Engine Light
The check engine light is by far the most noticeable sign of a failing PCV valve. The PCV valve of your Mini is in the engine; hence whatever affects it negatively affects the engine. When the check engine light on the dashboard of your Mini becomes illuminated, it might mean that the PCV valve is failing.
Because failures of other parts of your Mini can cause the check engine light to come on, make sure that a professional mechanic does a full engine inspection before concluding that the fault is from the PCV valve.
Increased Oil Consumption and Oil Leaks
The PCV valve of your Mini might fail because of a leak due to high pressure inside the engine crankcase. When the pressure increases and there’s no other way to release it, the oil will leak through the seals and gasket. The leak will result in increased oil consumption. Also, you might notice oil sludge on the ground of your garage where your Mini is parked.
Contaminated Breather Element
The breather element of your Mini is a filter that sieves out hydrocarbon and oil from the crankcase. If the PCV valve fails, it can no longer evacuate gases, causing the filter to become blocked. When this happens, you will notice that you run out of fuel/gas quickly. Contact our professional mechanics to check the filter for any buildup of contaminants.
High Idle RPM or Rough Idle
The PCV valve controls the flow of gases between the crankcase and intake manifold. So, when it fails, it will cause the idle RPM to increase or become rough. High and rugged idles can cause the engine of your Mini to misfire and have harsh acceleration.
Other signs may include white or blue smoke from the engine and a reduction in overall performance. When you notice any of these signs, take your Mini to a Mini specialist to examine and replace the PCV valve.
Let Escondido German Auto Take Care of Your Mini’s PCV Valve
A faulty PCV valve automatically means a compromised engine. You need to employ the expertise of a trustworthy and reliable auto repair shop. Trust Escondido German Auto with all issues and service concerning your Mini.
At Escondido German Auto, all our mechanics are ASE-certified and German automotive specialists. That means we diagnose and repair problems with Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Porsche, Sprinter, and Volkswagen. Our experts have provided nothing short of premium auto services to the areas of Escondido, Rancho Bernardo, and Valley Center, CA.
We understand that repair services can be expensive, so we have made our services affordable for all. Even more, we offer a 2-year/24,000-mile warranty on all repairs, which is one of the best deals in the valley. To enjoy all the benefits of Escondido, kindly contact us now!
* Mini Cooper Car image credit goes to: bruev.