Possible PCV valve issue

JL815 · Jan 2, 2020

Hi, newbie here.

Got an 03 astra g 1.6l, there's a minor oil leak on the right side of the engine which I thought was the oil switch (still convinced that's where its coming from) however earlier the car started missing and chugging, there was a grey smoke starting to come through the exhaust, not thick smoke, and a slight yellow thick substance inside the rocker cover.

I thought head gasket, but it's not taken on any water at all, which leads me to believe it's the ventilation being blocked, the pressure causing the oil switch to leak (common anyway apparently) and oil to get into The system hence the smoke and substance

I've not had the car long, was just a cheap run around I picked up for a couple hundred but the rest is in good nick so hopefully it is just this. If so is it a straight forward repair? Is it a case of cleaning? I'm not sure where exactly the pipe and valve is.

Am I thinking on the right lines? Or am I way off? Any help appreciated
Cheers

redman · Jan 2, 2020

Hi
There was a recall to have the upper oil switch removed.
Also oil can travel down the wiring loom from the oil pressure switch in to some of the sensors plugs ( 02 sensors etc) causing the engine to misfire.

JL815 · Jan 2, 2020

Christ! Never knew that Thanks. What do You recommend? Taking it. To a vauxhall dealership?

Also could this cause the misfire?

redman · Jan 2, 2020

Is it the upper oil switch you are talking about?
Oil can get in to the wiring plugs through capillary action. So I would unplug some and look for signs of oil. So it can cause misfiring.

JL815 · Jan 2, 2020

I believe so yes, (right hand side of the engine as you look front on) there seems To be plenty of it having leaked onto multiple plugs

redman · Jan 3, 2020

It is not so much oil leaking on to the electrical plugs exteriors as the plugs have ingress protection seals. It can be capillary action through the inside of the cables.
You should try to get the engine fault codes if any are present and at least fit a new oil pressure switch. Then you can look into getting it blanked off and the single core cable insulated.

Here is a link for oil contaminating the wiring on a 1.4 ecotech engine through the pressure switch. I know yours is the1.6 and there won't be many cases of it happening to that engine (as the upper pressure switch was removed in production or on a recall).

Possible PCV valve issue

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