Have you ever wondered what your BMW does with the waste it generates from its engine? If you have a keen interest in how automobiles work, you will understand that incomplete combustion in the engine generates waste gasses that are harmful to the engine’s system and also the environment.
The Crankcase Ventilation Valve (CVV) is a component of your car that handles this issue. With this important role, if this valve gets damaged for any reason, your BMW’s engine function could be compromised. This guide helps you understand the red flags in the CVV to help you find a solution in time to save your car’s engine.
How Does the Crankcase Ventilation Valve Work?
The Crankcase Ventilation Valve (CVV), also known as the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve plays a key role in protecting the environment and also your car from damage. The CVV is a fuel vapor recycler that removes blow-by gasses from the crankcase and back into the combustion chamber.
During incomplete combustion, the engine produces harmful waste gasses. These gasses must be removed from the engine as it can corrode the engine parts and cause damage. However, these gasses cannot just be released into the environment as they are harmful. Hence, the CVV recycles these gasses back to the engine for complete combustion.
The CVV could, however, get faulty and fail to perform its functions and this can be dangerous for your car’s engine. There are several reasons why this valve could get damaged, such as a faulty valve filter which would fail to keep unwanted particles out and reduce the valve’s ability to remove toxic gasses.
Other causes of PCV valve issues are:
- Accumulation of debris or dirt that keeps the valve stuck.
- Excessive heat that damages valve seals.
- Lack of adequate maintenance.
What are the Signs/Red Flags that Show Crankcase Ventilation Valve Issues in a BMW
If your car’s CVV gets bad, it could cause serious damage to the crankcase, which could lead to engine failure. However, if you can easily recognize early signs of damage in the valve, you can find a solution before serious damage is done to your engine.
Hence, identifying the red flags in this car component is important.
1. “Check Engine” Light
The check engine light on our car’s dashboard helps to notify you of any impending damage to the car’s engine. If the crankcase ventilation valve gets faulty, it would not open or close as required and this could affect the air-fuel mixture in the engine. Once the air-fuel ratio is compromised, the engine’s performance is affected and this can trigger the “check engine” light to come on.
2. Black Smoke from the Exhaust
Another red flag that indicates a problem with the ventilation valve in the crankcase is when you notice black smoke emitting from the exhaust pipes. Black smoke is a sign of incomplete combustion in a car’s engine. Since the CVV’s role is to prevent this from happening, a fault in the component would lead to these emissions.
3. Oil Leaks
Another sign of a car’s crankcase ventilation valve failure is a decrease in oil levels due to oil leakage. This happens because a faulty ventilation valve could be stuck closed, allowing the gasses to build up in the crankcase. This build-up of gasses puts pressure on the crankcase, damaging the seals or gaskets in this component, which then allows oil to leak out.
4. Difficulty Starting the Engine
Another red flag to indicate a ventilation valve issue in our car’s engine is when your engine does not start as easily as it used to, or it has rough idling. This happens because a faulty valve could get stuck and remain open, allowing air into the engine system and making the air-fuel mixture too lean and thus affecting engine performance.
The Best Shop to Handle Your BMW’s Crankcase Ventilation Valve Issues in Los Angeles
Carotech Automotive is a leading Auto 
Repair Shop in Los Angeles, CA. We have a team of ASE-certified mechanics with many years of experience in handling various problems with European cars. We also have the latest factory-grade tools and equipment so no car issue is too much for us to solve.
Hence, if you notice any of the signs discussed in this article in your car, then it’s time to bring your car down to us so we can help you save your engine and keep the environment safe.
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