Signs That Indicate Your Land Rover’s PCV Valve Needs Replacement

As the driver of a Land Rover, you’re driving a vehicle known for its durability off-road as much as its performance on the road. Land Rovers are more than just a status symbol; they’re a fun and exciting ride for anyone on board and known as an off-roading powerhouse.

The last thing you want to deal with is a pesky problem with your Land Rover that results in it not functioning as it should, or worse, your inability to drive it at all. One of such problems is a failing PCV valve. This tiny part can lead to serious engine damage to your Land Rover if ignored. Let’s discuss the purpose of the PCV valve, signs your PCV valve is failing, and where to go to get your PCV valve replaced.

The Purpose of the PCV Valve

Your Land Rover’s PCV valve, or Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve, is responsible for eliminating crankcase emissions from the crankcase and sending them to the intake. The engine’s emissions are made cleaner and more effective due to this process as they are combusted again in another engine cycle. The PCV valve also is attached to the PCV valve hose, which leads to the intake air box or the intake manifold.

Signs Your PCV Valve is Failing

Should you encounter any of the below signs of PCV valve failure, don’t delay. Take your vehicle in to be seen by your trusted Land Rover specialist as soon as possible.

• Check Engine Light Illuminates: Oftentimes the first indication something is wrong is when the check engine light illuminates on the dashboard. While a check engine light could mean any number of things, diagnosing the cause as soon as possible enables you to get it under control quickly. It could be not only the PCV valve, but the PCV hose as well, or a combination of parts.
• Poor Fuel Economy: If you’ve noticed you’re fueling up at the pump more often but your commute hasn’t changed, it’s possible the PCV valve or its hose is clogged or has a leak. When the PCV valve or hose are clogged, the vacuum on the intake side of the cylinder head will not be able to gauge the correct amount of fuel needed for the engine, resulting in a lean or rich engine condition.
• Noisy Engine: A hissing sound coming from your engine is another sign you may be dealing with a failing PCV valve or hose, which may have a leak in it. If left ignored, this can lead to misfires and rough idling.
• Rough Idling: Encountering rough idling is another sign you may be dealing with a bad PCV valve. As the PCV valve controls the airflow between the crankcase and the intake manifold, it can leak air, causing the rough idling.
• Misfiring: Misfires can occur while idling or in acceleration, as they are caused by a lean or rich mixture due to a bad PCV valve. When the mixture is too lean, the cylinders won’t fire up correctly, while when the mixture is too rich, you can turn off the spark with the fuel, causing the misfire.
• Rough Acceleration: Another sign of a failing PCV valve is experiencing rough acceleration, which is the result of the wrong fuel mixture.
• Unusual Exhaust Smoke: Encountering white, black, or blue smoke is another sign your PCV valve needs replaced. If the PCV valve or hoses are blocked, the crankcase pushes oil up into the combustion chambers, causing oil to burn inside the engine and emit through the exhaust pipe, causing the unusual smoke.

Auto Assets is Here to Help

If you are experiencing PCV valve failure, Auto Assets is here to help. We’ve proudly serviced the Columbus, Dublin, New Albany, Worthington, and Powell, OH, communities for over 30 years and we can diagnose and repair your faulty PCV valve and any other problems you may be experiencing with your Land Rover.

We use only the newest factory-grade tools & equipment and have years of experience working on the Land Rover brand. Call us today to schedule your appointment and we’ll have you back on the road stress-free and confident in your vehicle again.

* Land Rover Car image credit goes to: YuriyVlasenko.