Oil leak inherent to ATR PCV check valve design

[turbo nasty]

Ran one for years and always had oil that i had to clean at the rear of my intake and thought it was just the grommet seeping/wore out motor, etc. And could never pin point it. It designed to seal under boost and reopen when 5" of vac is reestablished.

While building my new engine and cleaning up the ATR check valve for use I noticed a hole on the side of the check valve that goes toward the PCV.

Further investigation revealed that the hole is open to the PCV port and even though the check valve seals completely on the throttle body side of the valve the pcv side side can leak right out through the hole under boost.

Oil vapor run/sprays in the direction the hole is pointing.

Crappy design...heads up to folks that have it. It was painted black when I got it new back in the day and that masked the port.

I won't be reusing it for sure. Post some pics up later today.

 

[TurboBuRick]

Like to see a pic.

 

[Chuck Leeper]

The 1 I had didn't seal well under boost, and ended up on the list of "trik of the month" junk...Right below the wastegate........

 

[TurboBuRick]

They only work for the first couple weeks then get stuck.

 

[turbo nasty]

It worked to seal, but would click as vac was reestablished sometimes.

I keep forgeting to snap some pics....ill gi take some now

 

[turbo nasty]

Pics, vac/throttle body side has the check valve

 

[mgmshar]

Yep, that's the one I recently discovered was stuck closed on my car...

http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/threads/which-pcv.378442/

I guess mine was an ATR, and it wasn't a good design.

Mike
Sent from my HTC Droid Incredible using Turbo Buick

 

[TurboBob]

thats not the ATR valve,

I had sticking issues with this kind and wound up modifying it. I never had a leak though.

The ATR valve has its own set of issues...

Bob

 

[turbo nasty]

Bob you got me thinking and I had two GN' s at the time and found the receipts i actually bought one from ATR and this one from Kirbanperformance.

So unfortunately I look at their website and they still sell it.

http://www.kirbanperformance.com/product/133/PCV+IN-LINE+CHECK+VALVE+#6769.html

So correction it's Kirbans

 

[TurboBob]

I have one of the Kirban (Tomka) styles here (from years ago) I modded it so it wouldn't stick.

It doesn't have the hole, so perhaps there is some variation to the valves.

So, its worth some investigation before condemning the product......

Bob

 

[turbo nasty]

I'll be placing a call Monday....close zoom in of the current pic looks pretty darn close. We will find out

 

[RmvBfrFlght]

turbo nasty, I have one of the valves you posted pictures of in your post. The hole is plugged with what looks like epoxy. Should be easy enough to clean it and seal it again.

RemoveBeforeFlight

 

[turbo nasty]

Called and spoke to Kirbans, guy that worked in the warehouse pulled a couple and the hole is there and NOT plugged, neither was mine so it is what it is I guess.
He said that these were made by Pete Tomka.
Hate that I was mistaken and thought it was ATR and would have worded it a lil different but nonetheless its out there now. I would be leary of sealant as too much could migrate to the valve seat and cause a issue. But JB weld or equiv may work as long as the surfaces are scored for adhesion.

 

[TurboBuRick]

Why the heck would there be a hole? Some things just don't make sense.

 

[TurboBob]

this valve is from some other application, so the hole is probably important in its native habitat.

Bob

 

[TurboBuRick]

I don't doubt your right. Any ideas? I use various style checks at the wash. Have yet to see one with a hole in the side.

Rick

 

[TurboBob]

I just scraped the paint off mine, there is an epoxy-filled hole there.

So, it seems that some slipped thru without the hole being filled.

B

 

[mgmshar]

I have one of the Kirban (Tomka) styles here (from years ago) I modded it so it wouldn't stick.

Just out of curiousity, how did you modify this so it wouldn't stick? Not sure if I'll ever run one of these again, but if I do, it would be nice to not have to worry about it sticking closed like my old one did.

Thanks,