Crankcase vent - clean or replace? (2024)

2015 D13, I got a new code yesterday, crankcase pressure sensor (SA16 DTC PO51B64). It went away about halfway through the day and this morning I got a crankcase vent/oil separator code (SA 16 DTC PO4DB00). I'm thinking the crankcase vent is stopped up and throwing the pressure sensor code.

Will it do any good at all to try and remove and clean the crankcase vent/oil separator or should I just replace?

I found some videos and info online and here but no one says if it did them any good, they just play around with trying to take it apart and clean it.

I would just replace it and go on.

The vent is there for a reason. Helps the engine breathe a certain way.

Sure you can pull it and try to clean it. If I had a tank of kerosene and a brush I would take a stab at it. Just like cleaning engine valves back in the day.

How many miles are on the engine? If you clean the filter once, but don't get all the gook out, you'll have to clean it again. If you have 500k or better on the engine, that's around 54 months. It will probably take around an hour to clean. You might have to clean 6,8,10X in the next 54 months. How much is your time worth?

What filter are you talking about? The crankcase vent on a Volvo is a separator not a filter per se. Also, it’s over $500.

760,000 on my truck.

Looking at pictures of the separator, I'd just put a new one on. If you figure a low estimate of 110k miles per year, you may not have to do it ever again. It also looks like there is a possibility, however slim, of screwing the thing up. Then you're out (more) time and money.

Put a new sensor in and be done with it for now. I think it's around $100 and will take you 5 mins to do. If you're going to throw parts at it, may as well start with the cheapest ones.

Mine started throwing codes around 575k miles because the plastic moulding on the sensor where the wires go in ,was cracked, and water was getting in.

Cheaper than an oil separator unit. Either way, neither last for ever.

That makes sense Jeff, I just figured the sensor was being set off by the clogged separator, increasing pressure. Not a big deal even if I need to do both but not good timing either given the lack of work.

Maybe @nasriza has some ideas

Nas is kinda busy with a new project, so I will chime in. Your separator is clogged up. They can be cleaned, but it is a hassle and never gets completely clean. Replace it. There are 2 different versions. One is much cheaper than the other. Hopefully you have the cheaper one.

you can order a spare parts kit for the old version the break off is 15 year between old and new with spare parts kit change everything but the base this is the only way to save $$$ i have a couple of them on the floor for 16 engine you can have just need a gasket.