2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara - Crankcase Breather Hose

Bad Crankcase Breather Hose Symptoms

The crankcase breather hose, also known as the PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) hose, provides a path for gasses to escape from the engine's crankcase. The hose is typically connected to a PCV valve located in the valve cover or remotely, and carries oil vapors to the intake manifold and the combustion chambers to be burned off. This process helps prevent a buildup of pressure in the crankcase which may cause gasket damage or failure and lead to oil leaks. It also reduces pollution by ensuring oil vapors and crankcase gasses are burned off instead of being released into the atmosphere. If the crankcase breather hose is clogged or damaged, it can lead to problems like a buildup of pressure in the crankcase, oil leaks, increased oil consumption, and poor engine performance. Signs of PCV valve or crankcase breather hose failure may also include reduced power, difficulty accelerating, and a high idle. Manually inspecting your PCV valve hose can often help you ascertain its condition, and if it is clogged, brittle, cracked, or damaged, it should be replaced. You can also learn more about how to diagnose and replace a PCV valve with our How-To resources. If your PCV valve and crankcase breather hose need to be replaced, shop O'Reilly Auto Parts for replacement crankcase breather and PCV system parts to help you complete your repair.