Is It Safe to Drive a BMW with a Bad PCV Valve?

The PCV valve is easily one of the most important parts of your car, and although it is possible to continue to operate your car with a bad valve, it is not recommended as it can corrode your car’s engine over time.

This also leads to serious damage to the environment, which is why expert BMW mechanics at Bavarian Performance Specialists highly urge car owners to come to a garage as soon as they suspect that something may be wrong with this vital part of the engine. Keep reading to see why BMW experts have said that it is unsafe to drive a car with a bad PCV valve.

The Purpose of a PCV Valve

The PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) valve which was created to pull toxic gases out of the crankcase by using the engine vacuum. By using the PCV valve, your car protects not only your engine but also the environment by not releasing these toxic gases into the air around you.

These gases are made from unburned fuel, and they only become not toxic when routed through the exhaust system of your car. A small amount of gas may remain in the crankcase, which is where the PCV valve comes in to send these gases to be burned again.

Signs that your PCV Valve Is Failing

Your PCV valve can become stuck in one of two ways: stuck closed or stuck open. When your valve is stuck closed, you may experience signs such as oil leaks, surges, or gasket failure.

If your valve is stuck open, your car will experience symptoms like engine misfiring, black smoke, or a hard engine start. These signs may be misattributed to other more common car issues, which is why you must take your BMW to a specialist if you believe your car may be in PCV valve failure.

Is the problem the valve or filter?

In some cases, it may be the filter on your PCV valve that is the true root of your problems. Your filter may get clogged after extended use, therefore it is recommended that this filter be replaced after a certain number of miles.

Unfortunately, some cars may need this filter to be changed sooner. If you are experiencing problems with your BMW that you believe may be related to your PCV filter, it is possible that it is time for your filter to be replaced.

Testing your PCV Valve

While there are several ways to check on your PCV valve, the experts at the Bavarian Performance Specialists do not recommend attempting to take apart your car or engine. The best way to check this system would be to keep an eye out for the symptoms mentioned above and to bring your car into a trusted garage for scheduled maintenance.

Keeping up with servicing your car is a vital part of being a BMW owner. BMWs are complex and should only be serviced by experts of this brand, especially when it comes to more serious issues such as the PCV valve.

PCV Valve Affects Other Components

If you have made it this far in this article, you may be wondering why the vitality of your PCV valve matters if your car is still able to function. This may be true for short-term situations, but when it comes to long-term effects, this can lead to serious engine issues that can cause permanent damage to your car.

Your simple car trouble can easily turn into extensive damage and expensive repairs. As soon as you suspect that something may be wrong with your PCV valve, you should immediately bring your car to trained mechanics who specialize in BMWs.

Bavarian Performance Specialists for BMW Service by Experts

Whether your PCV valve is failing or if you just need a simple checkup, you should bring your BMW to a garage with trusted mechanics who know what they are doing. At Bavarian Performance Specialists, we specialize in BMWs and know exactly what kind of help you need.

If you are located in Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, Westlake, Malibu, or Newbury Park, CA, we will proudly serve you and address any issues you are facing with your car. Stop by today to have a meeting with our highly trained mechanics about how to have your car running as good as new.

* BMW X1 Car image credit goes to: bruev.