Blown valve cover gasket + sludge in air box

[amc49]

There's water in that oil spot, don't care what your teacher said. Pure oil is clear, look inside an unheated plastic bottle of it. You can have blocked PCV and the engine run just fine if anyone has jacked with the butterfly setting.

Tazman there definitely IS a PCV valve on these........................if it was working you would have less blowby in that airbox, or motor is getting loose.

[sleepyboy]

Yes there is definitely a PCV valve on these, you should change it, it's very cheap. Check the hose also they are know to collapse and cause problems or even get holes in them.

[anarchy0392]

Yeah your probably right my teacher is wrong. It's not like he's a ford mechanic for 20 years now teaching engine, standard and auto trans, and engine performance. Oh not to mention the fact he has a DD 2001 ZX3. So yeah who is he too say what that could be he obviously doesn't know what he's talking about.

It's oil that's breathing and it looks like that cause it's not up to temp and it has a small amount of condensation mixed into it. Your car is not broke there's nothing wrong it's doing what it's supposed to do. NOW if the oil in your oil pan looks like that then you'll have a problem.

[tazman2]

Bought a PCV valve and went to change it. The rubber hose was hard as a rock and even the PCV valve top piece broke right off because it was rusted. Now I have to devise a temporary PCV hose so I can drive the car...

[anarchy0392]

That blows man I'm sorry. But at least you know what the problem is.

[whynotthinkwhynot]

Originally Posted by tazman2

Hmm thats for PCV hose. No valve on these cars!? I guess I'm used to older cars with valves! ;)

EDIT: What are the symptoms for a bad hose!? I assume clogged and then something like my issues!? I still think that little foam thing was clogged I unrolled it and it was FULLLLLL of that same yellow stuff!

It has a PCV valve. Those haven't changed any, and it still serves the same purpose but it might be a threaded PCV instead of one that simply sits in a grommet. Go to a parts store and ask for one, they will lead you to the right replacement and that will answer that question. I think the Zetec has a threaded PCV.

The factory hose was problematic because excessive heat caused extreme dry-rotting and hose decay. The hose will collapse and cause a low idle, or split and cause a high idle. Both situations cause other engine running problems as well. There is an improved design PCV hose available from Ford. Just go in, give your car's year, and tell them what hose you want, and they will give you the improved design. The improved design has insulation on it to prevent heat decay. The dealer will also have a new PCV.

To test your PCV, disconnect the vacuum side of the line and blow into it. You should feel resistance to your breath. The PCV is simply a spring operated valve that prevents air flow going from the intake to the PCV, and limits PCV operation to vacuum from the intake manifold. If you can blow through it easily, then the PCV is bad. When there is low intake manifold vacuum, there is high vacuum at the air intake which is where the oil breather is connected, so the oil breather sucks up crankcase emissions.

The valve cover gasket is easy to replace, and a good job for DIY. We should have a How-To on how to replace the valve cover if you need it.

[tazman2]

I ended up half a**ing a solution as I can't get the hose today and it'll hold for now. Although I noticed the factory hose is collapsed where it goes into the intake manifold and I do have a semi low idle so that is another project for another day I guess! Thanks for the info I ended up doing the valve cover myself as well as I've done it before on a older car and knew to take my time and tighten it all down slow, etc. BTW my 2000 ZX3 zetec is NOT threaded just a rubber grommet that it goes into. Thanks again guys for all the help! :)

[macdiesel]

You can buy the filter in your air box for like a $1 from tousley ford. For that cheap I wouldn't even bother cleaning the old one.

[tazman2]

Originally Posted by macdiesel

You can buy the filter in your air box for like a $1 from tousley ford. For that cheap I wouldn't even bother cleaning the old one.

I needed the car running today sooooo didn't really have time to order and wait as I have to get to work on Monday as I already missed Friday! ;)

[whynotthinkwhynot]

BTW, Tousley Ford is a dealer who gives FFs special pricing. Look them up online, they are in WI. Call the number for parts, ask for Steve, tell him you heard about him on Focus Fanatics, and then order whatever factory parts you need. It will be a whole lot cheaper than your dealer, even after you pay for shipping.

That sort of thing might fit your schedule better than having to take off work to go to a local dealer.