Solving the engine blow-by problem.
This article reviews the causes and remedies of engine blow-by. Some of the service tips individuals and mechanics are using to limit blow-by are taken from web page links at the bottom of the article.
Solving the engine blow-by problem. What is blow-by?
Blow-by refers to excessive combustion and fuel vapors that have slipped pass the engines pistons. Its nasty, cooking hot vapors then mix with the engine oils in a negative way.
In years pass auto makers vented blow-by via a vent tube into the air. Vented to the air, blow-by harms and pollutes the air, causes breathing problems in the young, harms vegetation, and poisons water in lakes and rivers.
In many cases, blow-by and exhaust fumes both mixed with upper layers of atmosphere. There, a more harmful chemical reaction called smog, occurs. This happens when sunlight passes through it. Smog, a stronger poison conversion of blow-by further deepens the harmful aggravation to life and living things. Blow-by is not good!
With worldwide pressures and laws, car makers were forced to do something to stop or control blow-by, and limit harmful exhaust. It does so with anti-smog making systems for motors. We call these “emission controls” – and all engines now have them.
Normally, in a good engine, with clean internal conditions in the cylinder and combustion area of the motor, clean conditions limit combustions blow-by escape pass the pistons. What does escape is recycled back into the combustion for reuse. 25,000 fuel and combustion services keep the system clean.
Most engines require a “smog service” every 25,000 miles for a normal long life. Some brands of smog service additives also end the blow-by problem. We use those brands. At links given below.
Since the blow-by term refers to excessive amounts of blow-by pressure in the crankcase – it means, resources to properly remove blow-by are over taxed.
When it’s your engine problem – here’s how to handle its solution.
Blow-by can originate from 3 causes:
- Worn or sticky piston rings, or valve guides. Their wear gaps.
- A plugged up crankcase recirculating system. Can be stopped up.
- Leaking O-rings or gaskets in the pressure side of a supercharger.
Remedies:
- For problem one, it’s time for a new engine. [$4000 up]. However, additive treatments are available to return blow-by to normal, and gain years more good life from the engine. All at a fraction of new engine expense.
- For problem two. The engine crankcase ventilation system is not sucking out combustion blow-by. Not sending it to be re-burnt in the combustion cycle again. This can be from a dirty PCV Valve [under $25 replacement cost], or plugged up system orifice. Its usually a mechanic who will stick a wire into the orifice, and or spray carb cleaner into the orifice to open and restore its suction of crankcase blow-by fumes.
- For problem three. A mechanic skilled in the supercharger system will find the troublesome gasket or o-ring, replace them, and verify leakage of pressurized air into the motor has stopped. Ending that cause of blow-by.
In my shop, and in my training classes for mechanics, I demo usage of several additives to clean the blow-by PCV system. These include the Mega Power Brand Emission System Service Treatment Additives. Their product contain the ingredient power needed to clean sticky piston rings – ending that blow-by cause.
Such a service can now be performed by anyone wanting to end the problem themselves. See links below. Doing so, select product with dual, engine tune up, injector, and combustion, piston ring cleaning values. Look also for cleaners and polymers to free piston rings, and fill engine worn spaces – all aids correcting the blow-by problem.
Those cleaning procedures also lower exhaust smog pollutants. So, the service can help older engines run cleaner, with less blow-by. Such product aids passing their smog test. These 2 services [about $200 to $400 each] will end the engines blow-by piston and wear problem. It often avoids engine replacement for many years.
While these additives offer protection and reduce combustion blow-by – they cannot correct o-ring and seal, supercharger pressure system failures.
