Crankcase Breather Filter: Purpose, Signs It’s Clogged

The crankcase ventilation filter and other types of filters in a car’s engine operate similarly most of the time.

While releasing extra pressure onto the environment, this filter cleans out the gases of any oil or other contaminants.

In this situation, the emphasis is on releasing excess gas pressure through the crankcase ventilation filter rather than the PCV (positive crankcase ventilation valve), but you can choose to do so.

Additionally, this crankcase breather filter keeps your crankcase clean by preventing debris from entering the crankcase, especially during the engine cooling process.

The crankcase breather ultimately stops oil pollution, which can have a significant negative influence on your engine. well in this article we’ll be discussing the answers to questions related to the Crankcase breather filter.

Crankcase Breather Filter

What is a crankcase breather?

Crankcase ventilation or crankcase breather are other names for the same device. The oil separator filter’s job is to remove oil mist from the engine crankcase, as suggested by its name.

We all know that when a diesel engine operates, pollution is produced that affects not only the environment but also human health, demonstrating the significance of a crankcase breather.

There are two ways to discharge or redirect pressure as it builds up inside the engine. In this situation, the emphasis is on releasing excess gas pressure through the crankcase ventilation filter rather than the PCV (positive crankcase ventilation valve), but you can choose to do so.

The CCV filter and other types of filters in an automobile engine operate similarly most of the time. While releasing extra pressure onto the environment, this filter cleans out the gases of any oil or other contaminants.

Additionally, this crankcase breather filter keeps your crankcase clean by preventing debris from entering the crankcase, especially during the engine cooling process.

The crankcase breather ultimately stops oil pollution, which can have a significant negative influence on your engine.

what is the source of crankcase gasses?

Burning material from the combustion chamber “blowing” past the piston rings and into the crankcase causes the phenomenon known as blow-by. If these blow-by gases aren’t evacuated, they will ultimately condense and mix with the crankcase’s oil vapor, creating oil sludge or diluting the oil with unburned fuel.

Additionally, excessive crankcase pressure can cause oil leaks through the crankshaft seals and other engine gaskets and seals. Thus, the usage of a crankcase ventilation system becomes essential.

Where is the crankcase ventilation filter located?

The crankcase ventilation filter is often located on top of the valve cover or on the breather hose, which is linked to the air intake and is located on top of the crankcase.

Air intake into and out of the environment occurs in this area of the engine. Positive pressure is also discharged here.

What are the Symptoms of a Blocked Crankcase Breather Filter?

Engine performance issues

A decline in your car’s engine performance is another obvious sign of a blocked Crankcase breather filter.

The air-fuel mixture is impacted by the blocked filter, which reduces the car’s power and acceleration. This problem could be more apparent when moving along at a slow speed.

However, a lot of other factors can have an impact on engine performance. To conduct an exclusive diagnosis on your automobile, it is important to visit your dealership, a competent technician that is independent, or an auto repair shop.

Oil leaks

Leaks of oil are the most prevalent and observable sign. This often indicates that a filter is blocked.

As previously explained, the filter effectively removes particles from blow-by gases before allowing them to return to the engine via the PCV valve.

The crankcase’s airflow will be restricted by a clogged filter, resulting in a less-than-ideal flow of blow-by gases.

As a result, the crankcase will build up pressure, which will eventually cause a number of gaskets and seals to blow and let an oil leak.

Anywhere can have a leak; much will rely on the state of the seals and gaskets. Due to pressure, the more worn ones are more prone to blow first and leak oil.

The oil pan and valve cover at the top and bottom of the engine, respectively, are popular locations for oil leaks.

High Idle

The filter might clog and cause a high idle speed when this happens. The clogging or leakage of oil on the engine causes this feature, therefore a change in the idling speed is a strong sign that the crankcase breather filter in your car if it has one, is having problems.

Check engine light

Although the check engine light is something we all hate, it is truly an amazing thing. When your car’s On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) system illuminates, a problem code has been detected. When the ECU notices a problem with the engine that it can’t resolve on its own, these codes are recorded.

When the check engine light comes on, you may use the OBD connector to connect an OBD scanner and check the fault codes. These error codes won’t specifically identify the malfunctioning part.

However, it will inform you of the issue the engine is experiencing, assist in reducing the number of probable reasons, and facilitate the diagnosis procedure.

Why Is There Oil Coming Out of the Crankcase Breather?

You may need to inspect your seals if you detect engine oil leaking from your crankcase breather filter. An oil blowback in the intake valves caused by worn-out seals can result in a pressure build-up that forces oil back to the inlet filter.

The crankcase breather filter then allows the extra oil to go. Additionally, higher crankcase pressure can contribute to this issue by allowing oil to escape past the oil collection container and past gaskets and seals. This engine oil is later blown out by the CCV filter.

What is the crankcase filter replacement cost?

Depending on the type of your automobile, a crankcase breather filter replacement may cost more or less. Furthermore, there are substantial pricing differences when it comes to the CCV filter’s material, mounting options, filter design, and other important components.

They will cost differently from one dealership to the next and from one vehicle repair business to another. You may also have independent mechanics visit your house to change this filter for you. But if the filter is in an accessible spot, replacing it is generally a straightforward task.

The typical cost to replace your crankcase breather filter is between $200 and $300. Be aware that the components alone will run you between $100 and $105 and that labor will cost you between $90 and $120.

Always pick a CCV filter that has high-quality baseplates and filter gaskets that can survive the intense pressure within the engine.

Make it a point to change these breather filters at least concurrently with the time you replace spark plugs because they may become clogged and filthy rather quickly.

How do you replace a crankcase breather filter?

  • Generally speaking, unless you are very confident in your abilities, we do not advise performing this task yourself.
  • Track down the breather hose. The engine cover will probably need to be taken off first.
  • Cut the hose clamps off.
  • Pull the hose out of the bottom connection after removing the top connector.
  • Installing the replacement breather hose is where the procedures may probably vary significantly based on the make and model of your automobile.
  • Hose clamps should be reinstalled; new ones may be required, depending on the hose clamp design.
  • Keep in mind that the aforementioned example is for a Volvo XC90; your vehicle probably differs.