ECS sells a patch kit for the PCV valve, has anybody tried it? Since the part is listed as non-serviceable, how do you install? Seems like a much cheaper solution than spending 3-4 c-notes.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-vaico-pa...127646554~vai/

 

The ECS kit looks a lot like this:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post4451949

 

We had a bunch of people use them, just nothing on the forums yet as we just got those at the end of last year, they also follow the contour at the top of the cover which is cool as it looks OEM. Yep this is for people with consumption or a sticky diaphragm that throws a code. If your valve cover is cracked or leaking oil in the center it does not fix that. On the N12/N16 it is with this kit and to some extent with that other part on the N18 but the top has a non OEM cover design. The N14 is molded and formed into the cover but can be done with some work and dissection.

What we don't know is if the actual diaphragms are the same from one engine to the next.

 

I'm throwing a P2187 and my mechanic is telling me the PCV is stuck open resulting in no vacuum in the crank. Doesn't make sense to me, but this seems like a cheap way to fix, if that is the issue, no?

 

Yes, if it's stuck, that's what you need. If you pull the whole valve cover off and check the bottom and see a crack, leaking oil, or something weird in the main plastic section(not the PCV section) then that's another story. And the main cover is needed.

 

I ordered the kit, does it come with instructions?

 

No, get the engine warm, not running of course. They 4 little tabs on the side, get a couple of those little flat head screwdrivers and pry up and work your way around. Match up the orientation of the diaphragm and spring, make sure its centered and snap down.
Comes with a new spring in the kit, not shown, I will have them reshot that.

 

Since this is a custom item, wouldn't it make sense to include instructions and warnings along with the hardware? I've read (on another thread somewhere, that it is very easy to break some of the plastic pins when removing the cover .....

 

That's the way it comes from them, very little places even have instructions at all. I will let them know and in the future to have them. Most instructions are on kits we make on PDF here at ECS or performance parts.

 

It wasn't too hard to remove the cap. But it's just about impossible to remove without breaking it. First pop up the lip on the back till you hear it pop (screwdriver works). The unlatch the only visible latch on the front. Then just pry around all four corners till it pops off. Helps to keep something in the parts you've already pried loose

I replaced mine with the kit. A few comments


The spring supplied with the kit is obviously made from a thinner wire (left silver is from the kit) and did not have as much spring as the 11 year old spring I was going to replace it with. So, I kept the old spring.



As it turned out this was not the cause of my 2187 error, but was still WAY cheaper than replacing the valve cover.

The plastic cap, looks good and worked, but did not fit as well as the original. The plastic piece that replaces the one that was in there, seemed like a pretty good replica of what it was replacing. Kept my old one (since it seemed fine) just in case I ever need it again.)

 

 

This is cool info. Glad we finally have a solution that doesnt cost $300+.

 

I have a thread about doing it too. “PCV Repair Question” it has a lot of good info from a few different people who have done it now, and another new source with cap that fits N18’s

 

Thx!