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The breather usually twists in a partial turn and if it's lose the gasket is probably missing or shot. you have some aftermarket thing so who knows if it's even close to the original size. I'd ditch it and put a stock one on with a hose to your air cleaner like it should have.
The PCV is just a gromet and it can be hard to pull the valve out if it's been in there a long time. any parts house should have a new one. as long as you're not getting an oily mess around them it's really not that important how well they fit.
The breather usually twists in a partial turn and if it's lose the gasket is probably missing or shot. you have some aftermarket thing so who knows if it's even close to the original size. I'd ditch it and put a stock one on with a hose to your air cleaner like it should have.
The PCV is just a gromet and it can be hard to pull the valve out if it's been in there a long time. any parts house should have a new one. as long as you're not getting an oily mess around them it's really not that important how well they fit.
Thanks for the reply, 440 sixpack. I have a 14" K&N air cleaner, and I don't think there's a port to tie in the breather - so I'll need to use a stand-alone breather. I'm assuming I don't need to mess with the PCV unless there is a reason, right?
That is an aftermarket valve cover breather (only I bet, NO PCV valve in side it) and aftermarket chrome valve covers. Careful if you just force/push it in, the grommet can come off/rip and a piece of the grommet can wound up INSIDE the valve cover. Or it will be fine and then when you take it off it might rip on the way out. You need to read up on function of the PCV (Positive Crankcase Valve) and it function, before you just decide to not use one.
Mine has chrome aftermarket valve covers, breather is a push in / pull straight out with a gauze / screen filter in it, it's also where I add any oil, like at oil change time. Other side has a PCV.
That one is different, might just be a sharper edge on the bib that goes into the valve cover grommet?
Thanks everyone! Yes, I have a PCV in the other valve cover at the back that ties into the carb. I'm not proposing to get rid of the PVC. Just curious if the breather looked too loose. If so, should I replace it? I saw several options online - fully enclosed like the one I have, fully open, semi shielded (e.g., K&N 62-1516). I don't see an easy option to add a port to my K&N air cleaner housing, and welding is not in my skill set!
You're fine, hooking the breather to the air cleaner is nice but by no means required. as long as your breather is held tight enough it's not going to pop out I wouldn't worry about it.
If the breather hasn't been replaced in a while, it's probably a good idea to get a new one. The way this engine's crankcase ventilation is set up, the breather has to filter air coming into the crankcase. It may be clogged with dirt if it's been in use a long time.
The nice feature of running air through the breather from the big air filter is that you get filtered air into the crankcase.
Actually a lot more air comes out of the breather than in it. that's why it's hooked to the air cleaner so the fumes can be burnt.
I think we're talking about different parts. The breather in the picture is isolated and not hooked to the air cleaner housing like some cars/trucks have. Anything coming out of that breather would run down the outside of the valve covers and make a mess...it would be mostly steam but also some oil vapors. Also, anything coming out of that breather would indicate a clogged PCV valve and/or bad blow-by past the piston rings.
The PCV valve in the picture is likely connected to the carburetor base...can't see for sure where that hose goes. Fumes going through the PCV are routed to the combustion chambers.
I pulled it out. From what I can see via the bottom holes, there is little remaining filter media in the unit. It's a mostly empty shell. I'll pick up a new one. Are there any recommendations on type?
Edit...Looks like I can buy a new, 3rd party base for my air cleaner that has a port. Then I can connect the breather to the air cleaner and still use my existing K&N filter and lid. That's probably a better way to go, huh?
