Tips To Help Prevent Oil Separator (PCV Valve) Malfunctions in Luxury European Cars
The high-end European cars are known for their top performance and advanced features, which make them stand out from the rest of the vehicles on the road. In fact, the oil separator (PCV valve) is one such feature in your luxury European vehicle, which helps the engine in its optimum performance.
Now, issues with the working of the PCV valve in your luxury European car can take a toll on its smooth running and performance. There are certain tips you can follow to help prevent oil separator (PCV Valve) malfunctions in your luxury European cars. In this article, we will discuss the tips that will help you prevent PCV valve failure in your European car.
Tips to Prevent PCV Valve Failure
There are certain maintenance aspects that you need to focus on, which will help you in preventing the oil separator (PCV Valve) from failure. Let’s have a look at these factors:
Opt for High-Quality Synthetic Oil
The high-end European cars require a specific type of engine oil for the efficient functioning of the engine. In fact, the high-quality synthetic engine oil is manufactured keeping in mind the requirements of the engine in these luxury cars. That is why it is very important to stick to the manufacturer-recommended engine oil for your vehicle.
Moreover, these synthetic oils provide very high resistance against thermal breakdown and deposit accumulation compared to conventional oils. This plays a great role in preventing sludge formation in the oil separator and PCV system, and ensures proper functionality of your engine.
Most of the time, it is seen that low-grade oils can break down very fast, which leads to an increase in sludge and the deposits formation that can clog the oil separator valve.
Stick to the Oil Change Interval
Most drivers are unaware of the fact that the condition of the engine oil plays a dominant role in deciding the efficiency of the oil separator valve in their car. This is where the importance of sticking to the manufacturer-recommended oil change interval comes into the forefront.
You must make it a point to stick to the manufacturer-recommended oil change interval or even shorten the intervals a bit so that your vehicle gets fresh engine oil when required. In fact, the fresh engine oil contains detergents and dispersants, which help in keeping the internals of the engine clean by preventing the formation of sludge and accumulation of deposits that can clog the PCV valve.
You can refer to your owner’s manual to get the details of the manufacturer-recommended oil change interval. However, if the majority of the time you drive in stop-and-go traffic or the area you drive in faces extreme weather conditions, then you must opt for frequent oil changes.
Avoid Short Trips
At times, it is observed that continuous short trips and prolonged idling can adversely affect the functioning of the PCV system in high-end cars. This is because, as the engine fails to reach the optimal combustion temperature, moisture and combustion byproducts tend to accumulate in the crankcase, leading to the formation of sludge and acids.
Now, this formation of sludge has a direct bearing on the functioning of the oil separator system as it tends to clog the system. This is something that you must definitely guard against because this sludge makes it very difficult for oil to freely flow through the PCV valve in your vehicle.
This is why you will hear many professionals opine that you must combine short trips with long ones so that your engine gets completely warmed up. In addition to that, you must desist from excessive idling, especially in cold weather, as it leads to moisture buildup in the crankcase.
Regular Air Filter Replacement
The air filter is also a critical component, which is responsible for preventing the entry of dirt and other contaminants into the engine of your vehicle. Now, due to the nature of functioning of the air filter, it tends to get blocked with contaminants as your car picks up miles over the years.
In fact, a clogged air filter can create a host of problems for the functioning of the engine, and you must prioritize replacing the air filter as per the manufacturer’s service schedule for your vehicle. This will help you in keeping your PCV valve functioning for a long time.
Finally
The above-discussed factors are some of the ways to help prevent oil separator (PCV valve) malfunction in high-end European cars. Furthermore, the moment you notice there is something wrong with the functioning of the engine, you must get your European car inspected by certified mechanics immediately.











