Honda Accord (1990 - 2002) Includes 1997 - 1999 Acura CL
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Air comes out of the oil cap, when engine runs.. :(

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Old Jul 16, 2009 | 10:26 PM
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Icon6 Air comes out of the oil cap, when engine runs.. :(

I have 95 Honda accord with 2.2L Vtec engine with 200k miles. When engine is running, lots of air comes out of the oil cap. I thought it needs oil change then changed oil, but it is still blowing air. The air is not blue and not white. It smells and looks like exhaust. And the car runs same as it was before. I told the problem to mechanic after changing oil. He said me it is not a problem. But I am worrying about it. Is it a problem? If yes what is the problem and How much does it need to fix?
Thanks
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Old Jul 16, 2009 | 10:35 PM
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Default Re: Air comes out of the oil cap, when engine runs.. :(

Originally Posted by carisma45
I have 95 Honda accord with 2.2L Vtec engine with 200k miles. When engine is running, lots of air comes out of the oil cap. I thought it needs oil change then changed oil, but it is still blowing air. The air is not blue and not white. It smells and looks like exhaust. And the car runs same as it was before. I told the problem to mechanic after changing oil. He said me it is not a problem. But I am worrying about it. Is it a problem? If yes what is the problem and How much does it need to fix?
Thanks
u sure its not your radiator fan that is blowing the air?
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Old Jul 16, 2009 | 10:38 PM
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Default Re: Air comes out of the oil cap, when engine runs.. :(

No, it is not. Air comes out of the the oil filling cap, when the engine runs.
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Old Jul 16, 2009 | 10:40 PM
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Default Re: Air comes out of the oil cap, when engine runs.. :(

try a different cap then
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Old Jul 16, 2009 | 10:47 PM
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Default Re: Air comes out of the oil cap, when engine runs.. :(

Cap works fine, I mean air comes when the cap is removed from the engine. it is like exhaust. I think It is not supposed to blow any air. It is strange, isnt it
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Old Jul 16, 2009 | 11:17 PM
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Default Re: Air comes out of the oil cap, when engine runs.. :(

Its normal for higher mileage engines , its called engine blow by. On compression stroke when the air fuel mixture is compressed/ignited some of the mixture gets past the piston rings and into the crankcase, and is then removed by the PCV system. The engine is 200k miles so just like your mechanic said, nothing to worry about.

Last edited by 3zFree; Jul 16, 2009 at 11:25 PM.
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Old Jul 17, 2009 | 03:29 AM
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Default Re: Air comes out of the oil cap, when engine runs.. :(

Thank you for helping me 3zFree;
Do u think i need to fix it? Because in my previous oil change, there was no air comes out of there. Its new for me.

good night
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Old Jul 17, 2009 | 04:44 AM
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Default Re: Air comes out of the oil cap, when engine runs.. :(

Yup, its normal. If you remove your PCV from you valve cover; it'll do the same thing.
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Old Jul 17, 2009 | 04:54 AM
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Default Re: Air comes out of the oil cap, when engine runs.. :(

Originally Posted by 3zFree
Its normal for higher mileage engines , its called engine blow by. On compression stroke when the air fuel mixture is compressed/ignited some of the mixture gets past the piston rings and into the crankcase, and is then removed by the PCV system. The engine is 200k miles so just like your mechanic said, nothing to worry about.
x2.

Completely normal, especially for a higher mileage engine to have some blowby/ positive crank case pressure.

Even on a fresh motor its present. Its normal.
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Old Jul 17, 2009 | 07:35 AM
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Default Re: Air comes out of the oil cap, when engine runs.. :(

agreed x3, normal.
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Old Jul 17, 2009 | 08:30 AM
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Default Re: Air comes out of the oil cap, when engine runs.. :(

Thanks for helping me guys
One more question:
How can i prevent that?
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Old Jul 17, 2009 | 11:32 AM
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Default Re: Air comes out of the oil cap, when engine runs.. :(

you cant prevent it , its normal. the only way is not to turn your engine on,
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Old Jul 17, 2009 | 05:33 PM
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Default Re: Air comes out of the oil cap, when engine runs.. :(

Blowby is impossible to stop even in a new engine, thats why they invented the PCV valve, to get rid of positive pressure since there is no way to prevent it completely.

If it was causing enough blowby through the piston rings to be an issue you would have already noticed peformance problems such as low power and/or rough running engine

Last edited by brad8266; Jul 17, 2009 at 08:01 PM.
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Old Jul 17, 2009 | 06:15 PM
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Default Re: Air comes out of the oil cap, when engine runs.. :(

it's possible you're PCV is clogged (or the PCV hose) causing excess build-up... you could replace the PCV if it makes you feel better.

i do agree that it's a normal condition of any typical automotive 4-stroke engine. i'm actually kind of suprised you don't get oil splatter with the fill cap off..! i've seen cars w/o a cap on idle and splash oil all over the engine bay.
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Old Jul 17, 2009 | 06:26 PM
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Default Re: Air comes out of the oil cap, when engine runs.. :(

Na, the SOHC engines don't sling much oil near the oil fill cap @ idle. There is a substantial baffle or sling plate near the oil fill cap. I always ran mine for a few minutes after an oil change without the fill cap on. Mind you I wouldn't want to rev it up and drive away though...lol
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Old Aug 14, 2009 | 10:17 PM
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Default Re: Air comes out of the oil cap, when engine runs.. :(

Originally Posted by twkdCD595
x2.

Completely normal, especially for a higher mileage engine to have some blowby/ positive crank case pressure.

Even on a fresh motor its present. Its normal.
x2.....

when i service cars i sometimes forget to put the oil cao back before starting it to pump oil intot the oil filter and it makes that sound...even on newer cars...
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Old Aug 14, 2009 | 10:27 PM
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Default Re: Air comes out of the oil cap, when engine runs.. :(

Normal
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Old Aug 15, 2009 | 06:48 AM
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Default Re: Air comes out of the oil cap, when engine runs.. :(

Although you can never delete positive crankcase pressures, you can always minimize pressures. It's a mod not everyone will attempt to do, but is highly recommended. Drill your valve cover, weld -10AN fitting on it, attach -10AN hose to this end, trace this hose to the other end where it will go into your oil-catch can w/ a filter on top. ( 2 ) -10AN fittings are better than ( 1 ), research "oil catch-can" and you'de be surprized by the advantages all around.
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Old Aug 15, 2009 | 10:38 AM
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Default Re: Air comes out of the oil cap, when engine runs.. :(

Originally Posted by street_ride14
Although you can never delete positive crankcase pressures, you can always minimize pressures. It's a mod not everyone will attempt to do, but is highly recommended. Drill your valve cover, weld -10AN fitting on it, attach -10AN hose to this end, trace this hose to the other end where it will go into your oil-catch can w/ a filter on top. ( 2 ) -10AN fittings are better than ( 1 ), research "oil catch-can" and you'de be surprized by the advantages all around.
define the bolded more specifically..cause ill do it..

beside i have a 1992 b18a1 and it has a breather box next to the oil filter..one hose returns to the block and the other to the intake...

would that be the same???
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Old Aug 15, 2009 | 11:02 AM
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Default Re: Air comes out of the oil cap, when engine runs.. :(

Originally Posted by hondamark35
it's possible you're PCV is clogged (or the PCV hose) causing excess build-up... you could replace the PCV if it makes you feel better.

i do agree that it's a normal condition of any typical automotive 4-stroke engine. i'm actually kind of suprised you don't get oil splatter with the fill cap off..! i've seen cars w/o a cap on idle and splash oil all over the engine bay.
I agree with what this gentlemen proposes with some additional thoughts of my own. A healthy PCV system will impart a slight negative pressure to the crankcase when operating properly. This is to evacuate any contaminants (acids, etc) which boil off when the oil heats up.
As a PCV system becomes less effective (lack of service / attention) it (along with protracted oil change intervals) contributes to the formations of sludges (the black stuff that shows up in too many valve covers).
This contributes to increasing problems with flows and blockages (inoperative PCv systems, oil starvation and drain-back problems).

I would suggest two things:
The Maintaince approach:
Replace the PCV Valve and confirm that there is unrestricted flow thru that system.
The Chemical approach:
Next oil change, get yourself enough to do two changes.
Purchase either Rislone, Seafoam, or GM Top Cylinder cleaner (now mascarading as Fuel Injector cleaner).
Perform your oil change and add the product you selected to the oil.
Start the car and drive it locally for as long as you feel comfortable (several hours should be sufficient), avoiding heavy loads to the engine (no land speed record attempts, please)
Perform the second oil change with a new filter.
Don't be surprised at how black that recently changed oil comes out.

This may be enough to restore ventalation.

P
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Old Aug 15, 2009 | 05:46 PM
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Default Re: Air comes out of the oil cap, when engine runs.. :(

Hey P Adams, Please make it short, I don't feel like reading a book. Thanks.
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Old Aug 15, 2009 | 06:42 PM
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Default Re: Air comes out of the oil cap, when engine runs.. :(

Originally Posted by 96redexcivic
Hey P Adams, Please make it short, I don't feel like reading a book. Thanks.
Sorry, I forgot that there are people out there (who) get bad headaches when reading anything other than comic books.
Could I suggest Powerblock TV? that way you could avoid reading all together..... :-)

P

Last edited by P_Adams; Aug 16, 2009 at 06:54 PM.
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Old Aug 15, 2009 | 06:53 PM
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Default Re: Air comes out of the oil cap, when engine runs.. :(

Originally Posted by 96redexcivic
Hey P Adams, Please make it short, I don't feel like reading a book. Thanks.
There is no book. The guy was nice enough to give you guys a step-by-step on how to help your motor out. Tell ya what I'll go draw some pictures and color them with crayon. Would that be better?

Good advice Adams. I'll keep it in mind when I have my motor back in. Thanks. (Gotta go before I write a book!)
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Old Aug 15, 2009 | 07:14 PM
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Default Re: Air comes out of the oil cap, when engine runs.. :(

Originally Posted by 96redexcivic
Hey P Adams, Please make it short, I don't feel like reading a book. Thanks.
Get your ignorant, rude and immature self off this site. Go watch some more Fast and Furious or something. This man is being nice and trying to help the guy out here by giving him some great tips. So GTFO if you can't handle reading some basic literature.
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Old Aug 15, 2009 | 10:03 PM
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Default Re: Air comes out of the oil cap, when engine runs.. :(

op....pull the pcv valve off the valve cover and shake it. if there a slight tap noise, your pcv valve is doing good. It wouldnt hurt to remove it and spray some throttle or carb cleaner in there to free up some gunk. Or better yet replace it, replacement at any automotive store should set you back 3-5 bucks. good luck
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