Questions and Answers

Volkswagen Jetta Sucking Oil Q. My 1986 Volkswagen Jetta, fuel injected. Recently wouldn't start and I had to take it to a new garage. They replaced the timing belt, distributer cap, rotor, and spark plugs. They also adjusted my air intake valve on the engine. Ever since I got my car back it has been pumping oil into the air filter.

I have taken it to three garages and no one knows what's wrong with it, and I have gotten three different diagnosis. One says its the piston rings, one says it may be something not connected right from the timing belt change, and one says something about back blow. Please give me your advise.

Thank you,
Amy

A. Well I may not know exactly what is wrong, but I do know it's not the piston rings causing the problem, at least not directly.

Oil in the air cleaner is almost always due to poor crankcase ventalation. If the Crankcase Emission Control Valve (CECV) or PCV Restricter is clogged up or hooked up incorrectly, you will get oil in the air cleaner. The crankcase ventalation system draws vapors from inside the crankcase to be added to the normal air intake and be burned. If it gets clogged, pressure builds up inside the crankcase and it has no where else to go except into the air cleaner.