1.6AEE PCV Valve (Cleaning purposes)

[SammoVWT]

Anyone got experience of cleaning this jobby in this engine? Im guessing its going to be near the breather hose at the back of the engine, but ive not had a proper look at the clips etc yet.

I want to give this a once over since ive now sorted my ignition problems (replaced aftermarket ignition coil after previous advisement from Crasher). Figured it was smarter to make sure my ignition was up to scratch before swapping the CAT since i had some warm start/rough idle trouble. (Note the aftermarket coil 'ARC' lasted less than 9 months before it started breaking down!)

Eitherway, noticed that the idle can be a little rough at times on cold mornings, I was wondering in the likleyhood of it being a dirty PCV? or am I looking at an out of range coolant sensor?

Im due to clean my TB again, but I last did this a few months ago - or is it more likely to be a valve stem seal?

The upshot is, does anyone have an advice or what i should expect when dismantling the old parts? Likely hood of having to order replacement parts or will a clean suffice?

This engine has been rebuilt last year, but im not convinced by the quality of workmanship that was done, hence some 'cleaning' advice.

A year later from the rebuild and I just need a new exhaust and rocker gasket and its all fixed. Times are hard indeed :P

Anyway cheers for any headsup you can give, the haynes isnt too forthcoming.

[SammoVWT]

On second thoughts, since my car hiccuped a little when warm after taking swmbo to her friends house.

Im wondering if the plugged cat is making a false rich condition and the ecu is reducing the fuel flow when im light on the pedal?

If i push the pedal hard this doesnt happen, so perhaps its a backpressure issue? Its amazing what ignition problems can mask really.

Before i changed the ignition coil, i got a string of missfires and 15 miles and a quater of a tank later i decided to buy an OE one the next day. Im guessing the richness from the weak spark prevented this from happening as much. Im guessing since its fuelling correctly now aswell since i changed the fuel filter, its leaning off.

Im bouncing ideas, so if anyone thinks anything let me know. I guess the proof will be in the pudding when i change the cat&f/p but with a baby on the way ive had to skimp it again :P

[SammoVWT]

Update:

Well i used a bit of wynns, and cleaned up my TB, PCV is definately working fine from what i can see.

Runs better when warm, less of the hiccups, but the cold start is still rough as 5 o'clock shadow.

Im now wondering if it is the coolant sensor after today, the rocker cover is seeping at the dizzy side, which is covering the coolant sensor plug in crap. I may give this a clean and see where I go, failing that i think a new coolant sensor, as the car drives pretty well now when warm.

Bizzarre!

[SammoVWT]

Figured out the cold start rough idle, thought i would keep it simple and check the throttle cable. (Cleaning the sensor contacts helped btw)

Turned out I probably had it a couple of notches too tight, was causing the pedal to wobble and messing with whatever idling mechanismis inside the throttle body (Idle switch? Not sure if theres one present inside)

So eitherway, i slackened it a little, and its mostly sorted.

The vibration of the engine obviously changes on temperature for idle, so i think this was my main problem.

The exhaust is still giving me jip, but the engine is now smooth at idle, instead of a slight lumpyness. Part clogged/part exhaust leak - im pretty sure this is giving me vacuum problems in the engine when im in standing traffic for a while, since it seems like the engine is leaning off after maybe 10 mins of minimal stop start movement, and the engine just drops out. No rich petrol smell, quite the opposite, just like it runs out of puff. So guesses are its the exhaust messing it up and everything else has settled down mostly.

Saved me buying a new coolant sensor anyway!

Im trying to avoid pushing my car too hard with the exhaust knackered, hopefully it will save me damaging something until i can afford a replacement cat/frontpipe.

WTB tax break really.