Oil Breather Tower

[itchyfeet]

mmm I wonder if this could be affecting Blos if it breathes when it shouldn't?

[silverbullet]

Only if its got an air leak.

Sent from my Atari 7800

[itchyfeet]

I can blow and suck easily through the tower so I assume it could affect the vacuum in the inlet pancake if it's suposed to be closed at idle.

who's got 80 quid to find out

https://www.vwheritage.com/shop/type25- ... StartRow=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[danmetallic]

Have been debating whether to swap mine out as it's looking rather sorry for itself. After reading this I think I will. Good info!!

[itchyfeet]

Have been debating whether to swap mine out as it's looking rather sorry for itself. After reading this I think I will. Good info!!

if you buy one please can you do a blow and suck test before fitting it?
thanks

[Ian Hulley]

The breather towers on a 1.9DG and a 2.1DJ have a different number stamped in white on the top ... maybe that the pressure the spring valve opens at ?

I've always cleaned my towers out with either petrol or carb cleaner and it's always worked ... block the outlet, fill with petrol/cleaner leave to soak, rinse out, leave to drain.

Mr Baxter sells the hose between the tower and the carb beret.

Ian

[silverbullet]

"Carb beret"

[itchyfeet]

At last somebody who 100% knows how these work and how to test them

With the valve in the breather tower it should close and prevent the release of crankcase gases when the engine sucks in a charge of air. So if you suck the outlet hose it should offer resistance and not let you suck but when you stop sucking the gases should be able to exit the tower. You can test it on the bench by gently blowing smoke from a smoke pellet(or cigar) into the base of the tower with a fan, or gentle hairdryer. The smoke should exit the tower via the outlet stub but if you apply vacuum to the stub or in my case suck (beware of the smoke) the valve shuts stopping the flow. If the smoke continues to flow your valve membrane has died.
!!

as I have a spare thats duff I cut it in half.

[silverbullet]

That looks familiar.

[itchyfeet]

Tested the one on the van and it's duff too.
Debating now whether to do it properly and spend 80 quid or to bodge it with an aftermarket pcv valve, or perhaps just leave it, what harm is it doing not working?

[silverbullet]

It just allows a bit of crankcase gas to be breathed in at high vacuum. Its really just an idle emissions device, combined with a condensation device to recover some oil vapour.

Sent from my Atari 7800

[itchyfeet]

It just allows a bit of crankcase gas to be breathed in at high vacuum. Its really just an idle emissions device, combined with a condensation device to recover some oil vapour.

Breathed in at low vacuum apparently as you suspected before.
But if it's broken and breathing at all times then whats the worst that can happen?
May oil up the carb a bit.
May give slightly lower vacuum in the carb
May give increased vacuum in the crankcase.

[silverbullet]

Wont affect induction vacuum because that is generated after the throttle disc(s)
Might raise the idle HC emissions a tad.

Sent from my Atari 7800

[itchyfeet]

2nd choke actuator vacuum is taken from above throttles.
Lpg delivery from mixer ring or bloss is dependent on vacuum above throttles.

if nothing else it's responsible for oil in the carb trunking I'm sure and probably many oily carbs.

[itchyfeet]

My 5 quid chinese breather arrived today and while it looks good I can blow and suck through easily either way
Looks like an 80 quid bill coming my way

(Post below from this thread but more relevant here)
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... e#p8135249" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

With the valve in the breather tower it should close and prevent the release of crankcase gases when the engine sucks in a charge of air. So if you suck the outlet hose it should offer resistance and not let you suck but when you stop sucking the gases should be able to exit the tower. You can test it on the bench by gently blowing smoke from a smoke pellet(or cigar) into the base of the tower with a fan, or gentle hairdryer. The smoke should exit the tower via the outlet stub but if you apply vacuum to the stub or in my case suck (beware of the smoke) the valve shuts stopping the flow. If the smoke continues to flow your valve membrane has died.!

My spare is missing the whole valve assembly inside!!! But on flea bay you can purchase for about 5.00 a breather valve and separator (inline)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Crankcase-Bre ... SwcF9UUtrh" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you place this inline with the breather pipe from your knackered tower, hey presto problem solved for a FIVER.

I guess if the valve fails it would weaken the lpg mixture if using a blos but should have no effect if using a mixer ring except the gas being sucked in would be low on oxygen due to being blow by gas and as such already used!!!
(good for NOX emissions but poor for power)