I am considering changing -all- (of the hoses I can see) on my 1995 Ford Escort today. I felt the hoses above the engine, they are ALL hard as a ROCK. I know some/all of them are PCV... I am not sure what sizes they are, but man, those hoses are hard. I want to get the PCV Valve replaced today, and the hoses. If they are hard liek that, is it likely they have a Vacuum leak of some kind, causing my car to run with less power and idle roughly?
After that, I have read how these cars need their Intake Manifold Gasket replaced, something about air getting in and causing the same effect. In a message board thread, there was a problem with the Escort at least 2 people had, where it would run rough and then want to stall, sometimes with lost power.... Someone said the $6 PCV Valve solved it for him, the other said changing PCV Hoses, and the other said replacing the Intake Manifold Gasket, and cleaning it and surrounding things.
My question here is mainly about PCV Hoses and Vacuum Leaks, and I thank the board for the information. (and yes Im going to let a shop change the hoses as they know what they doing and I dont even have the tools, im just trying to predict the result, so I know whats going on and if my thoughts are on track.) Thank You.PCV Hoses hard as a Rock. Could that mean one of them has a Vacuum leak, causing my engine to run Poorly?
Two basic things happen to rubber based lines on most cars.... either they dryrot and crack... or become hard.
Either way, it degrades thier ability to do thier job. Both Gates and Goodyear recommend changing hoses and belts after three to four years. Now is it just a marketing ploy?? I don't think so. Its fact. The materials degrade. WIth vaccuum lines and hoses, it causes leaks. Engine Management is affected by vaccuum leaks. I usually start out with a good vaccuum gauge and see how much vaccuum the system has at idle, 1500 rpm and then 2200 rpm with no load. Then I set parking brake, chock the wheels and place the car in drive at idle... and recheck the vaccuum. I am looking for 16 to 21 inches of vaccuum on the gauge. if I have a reading below 15.... I begin searching for a vaccuum leak.
Low vaccuum is a sign that usually coinsides with poor efficiency in an engine.
You are on the right track.. as for your prediction..... I bet the overall vaccuum improves.... and so does the fuel economy.PCV Hoses hard as a Rock. Could that mean one of them has a Vacuum leak, causing my engine to run Poorly?
Very good idea. Make sure you purchase VACUUM hose. All other material may collapse.
禄禄禄PCV Hoses hard as a Rock. Could that mean one of them has a Vacuum leak, causing my engine to run Poorly?
PCV, (positive crankcase ventilation) is air scavenged off of the inside of the engine for emissions reasons and to allow the bypass fuel fumes to be expelled instead of messing with your oil. In the past they were just vented out, now they are sent back to the combustion cycle. To draw them out, vacuum is used from your intake. At idle a very light spring keeps the PCV valve closed, it is stronger than the vacuum draw at idle. The reason is that your engine is very susceptible to vacuum leaks casing poor idle. When you hit the gas, vacuum increases and overcomes that spring and gasses are drawn off from your engine. The gasses drawn off are HOT, as they come out of the engine. Over time this causes rubber lines to harden and crack, giving you your vacuum leak. The thing you should be looking at is your PCV valve and lines for deposits that could plug them up. Some cars have a serious problem with this that is compounded with age and worn cylinder rings letting more gas bypass. Also constant use and heat make your PCV valve spring weak and it can open at idle causing poor idle (rough). It is impossible to tell if the spring is weak, so just change it at regular intervals.
Sorry for being so long winded, just thought if you knew the dynamics involved, the decisions would be easier.
