Pulling oil up into air cleaner

[MAVRICK513]

My carbureted '89 Festiva keeps pushing oil from the valve cover into the air cleaner. It is not a whole lot but it is enough to lay in the bottom of the air cleaner & get on the air filter. The PCV valve is new and the oil is coming from the hose that goes from the valve cover into the air cleaner. The car has 150,000 original miles on it.

Has anyone else had this problem? What did you do to solve it?

[kartracer46]

well what you have is a small case of blow by from the rings that are becoming worn. It is not an uncommon problem with the b3 engine.

The simple solution is to just build or buy a catch can and route the hose to it.

The other solution is to have the rings replaced, which can get costly if you are not able to DIY.

The third is to just leave it alone and deal with it. It is not a shameful or bad thing. These poor little cars are over 20 years old and time is just as much of an enemy as mileage in some cases.

I would be willing to bet it will go for another 50k and maybe another 100k before it really gets bad enough to require real mechanical attention.

Hope this helped.

[Tex Law]

Blow by

Kartracer 46 is correct. A blow by catch can is a cheap and easy remedy for quite a while. My 90L made it to 300800 miles before I did a ring job...now there's no blow by or smoking.

[89newb]

mines not carbed and i have this problem. found that the factory sealed baffle inside the valve cover is no longer sealed. sealed it back up and no more problem

[Basement_Modder]

Wait- you have an '89 auto EFI car? No wonder its been giving you so much crap!

[25Horseplay]

Wait- you have an '89 auto EFI car? No wonder its been giving you so much crap!

Reread his post, its not an auto. But the 89 auto is a great set up. I have one and has been nothing but a great car! The 89 auto will out run the 90 and newer auto cars!

[nitrofarm]

mines not carbed and i have this problem. found that the factory sealed baffle inside the valve cover is no longer sealed. sealed it back up and no more problem

So why didnt you let us know on your other thread??????????

[MAVRICK513]

Thanks guys. I will look at the valve cover baffle 1st. I even wonder if old valve seals could be some of the cause. A ring job is too much hassle & I don't care much for the catch can idea (although it would help). I have had this car since 1991 so maybe it is time to just sell it if the issue is more than just the baffle. I'll let you know...

Thanks!

[blkfordsedan]

Reread his post, its not an auto. But the 89 auto is a great set up. I have one and has been nothing but a great car! The 89 auto will out run the 90 and newer auto cars!

Don't remember exactly what the deal was...........but I seem to remember (years ago) that the distributor out of an '89 ATX was different or special?? It had more total advance or quicker advance curve or something......I just remember it being one of the original upgrade mods. Never hear about it anymore. Anyone remember?

[89newb]

So why didnt you let us know on your other thread??????????

Sorry bud ive been trying to get the suspension and tires done so that i can get it inspected and drive it again. it slipt my mind to post

Reread his post, its not an auto. But the 89 auto is a great set up. I have one and has been nothing but a great car! The 89 auto will out run the 90 and newer auto cars!

my car is an 89 auto EFI.

if you sell it maverick let me know

[jbuck1975]

Is there a way to clean to valve cover out. Mine looks like it has build up behind the metal plate thingy.

sent from my FESTIVA on me EVO phone

[Zanzer]

You can remove the screws and clean it with Castrol SuperClean or Dawn Power Dissolver. Then reseal it with black RTV and I personally like to use a small drop of blue Loctite on the threads of the screws.

Here's some pics from one of my build threads:

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/sh...6&postcount=47

[jbuck1975]

That pic looks damn good!! My looks REALLY bad compared to your pics.

sent from my FESTIVA on me EVO phone

[Zanzer]

Thanks! I have AOCD (Automotive Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and I'm pretty picky about my work

They can all look that good with a good cleaning and some spray paint :thumbup:

[89newb]

Since this is still a live topic

i would like to double check my work. Photos are courtousy of Zanzer.

here is the picture of valve cover and baffel


Here is the same exact picture. youll notice the outlining of where the baffel makes contact with the valve cover. The GREEN line is what i am 100% sure gets sealed. The BLUE lines represent what i am not sure gets resealed.

***I had sealed both the green and blue lines but have not had much opportunity to drive since. i can report however my "catch can" was empty when parked last.***


My question is o just the green tracks get sealed or do Green and Blue tracks get sealed?

Did I do it right by sealing them all?

My local Ford dealership told me to use BLUE sealant but Zanzer had said that he always uses BLACK sealant. Is there a difference? Which is actually preferred?

if I did it wrong i WILL redo it which is why even though I have completed this job, I continue to double check myself.