Mattalicious

Is a breather NEEDED for the valve-cover opening? What are the benefits of having a breather there instead of just a regular cap?
I've heard a little from both sides.
Also, dipstick pulled out when I was checking the oil after changing it, can't effing find where it goes back in.

irish1

As far as the breather, it depends on wether you are fuel injected or carburated. The dipstick tube goes into a hole in the block on mine, it is easier for me to see where from under the car. There is a little indentation in the block with a hole it slides into, a bit of black rtv around the tube at the top where it seats in the hole should keep it there.

Matt

FoxGT

In high intake vacuum situations (like cruise or idle) the intake creates a suction in the crankcase. fresh air is pulled in through your valve cover to help vent off the gasses from the oil & exhaust getting by your rings then through the pcv valve & back into your intake to be burnt. Burning it helps with emissions, the suction helps with engine life. In wot situations air is vented through both the valve cover & your pcv to keep crankcase pressure to a minimum, with some valve covers with poor or no baffle designs you can see oil near the breather.

That in mind, ideally you don't want moisture to get into the valve cover when the engine is off if possible & I wouldn't advise doing it if your car is mass air due to it creating a small vacuum leak.