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03' PCV valve problem, oil in spark plugs, red hot catalytic converter...

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catalytic converter hot ialve oil pcv plugs problem red spark valve
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8.5K views 6 replies 5 participants last post by  Steve in Chicago  
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#1 ·
Hey Everyone,

First time poster here, sorry if this isn't the right spot. I have searched the forums and haven't found anything that combines all three problems. To start things off, I have an 03' 1.8T Passat with 135k miles on it. A few weeks ago my engine started to run a little rough so I had the car looked at at the local VW specialist and a place that I have taken my car to before. They diagnosed that the engine breather PCV is defective, but were charging too much for my current budget, so I was thinking about tackling the project myself. I haven't done a project like this before, but I feel like I can do it.

Here is snag #2, this past Monday I was driving the car and it barely had any power. When I got to work (5 mins after I lost power) the engine was smoking so I popped the hood and noticed that the catalytic converter was red hot. So I thought I just had another issue. After talking to a few guys at work we decided to take a look at it and we pulled the coils out and lo and behold two of the coils packs were covered in oil. After doing some research it sounds like my gasket valve cover may be forcing oil into the spark plugs and coils because of the PCV breather, but now I wanted to know if the catalytic converter issue could be stemming from the PCV issue or if that is just another issue in itself.

I have no issue going out and replacing the spark plugs and coils, but I don't want to do that if oil is getting forced in there. So basically I need some expert advice here, does it sound like if I replace the PCV breather and coils and spark plugs, then maybe the issues will all be solved? Or is the catalytic converter now and issue unrelated?

Thanks in advance, once again sorry if this is a repeated topic or in the wrong place.
 
#2 ·
Many times when a PCV system gets clogged, crank case pressure goes high enough to blow oil past gaskets. Oil in the spark plug wells is leaking in past the center section of the valve cover gasket. Oil in the wells can cause misfires (running rough, loss of power and economy). Excessive misfiring usually lights up the Check Engine Light and gets you trouble codes for misfires. A flashing CEL indicates extreme misfiring. Excess unburnt fuel due to misfires burns off in the CAT. Too much of this elevates the CAT temp and will kill the CAT. A glowing red CAT is running way too hot.
 
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#4 ·
First off, thanks for the quick responses. Currently, my CEL is on and it will flash when the car is idling. I definitely want to take the valve cover off and replace the gasket. So overall do you (based on what you know) think that if I replace the faulty PCV valve and replace the gasket, that may resolve my catalytic converter issue? More or less I may not want to dump money into the car if the catalytic converter is still going to be burning red hot. Between coils and spark plugs and the other parts I'm talking roughly $200 plus a good amount of time. I'm willing to put the money into the car, but I just don't want to come out of it with my CAT still red hot, because I know replacing a CAT isn't cheap.
 
S
#6 ·
Don't worry about the cat before fixing the obvious problems (clogged PCV, bad VCG, and probably one or more bad coils.) Pull codes to find out why the CEL is flashing (so you know which coil(s) to replace.) If, after all that, you still have problems, then worry about the cat.
 
#7 ·
Once you get it to stop misfiring (which is dumping unburned fuel into the CAT), the CAT will stop getting red hot. The one unknown at this point is if you've already cooked the CAT enough to permanently damage it. If the CEL is flashing that means the engine should be shut off to avoid permanent damage.
 
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