fastdreams

On my '89 I just noticed that the PCV line from the TB to the oil filler neck is broken. The actual metal part that connects to the tb is broken almost completely off.

So now, that air is not making it back through the crank case.

What effects will this have?

For one thing, I think that since the air at that point is already metered by the MAF and the fact that I must have a leak there means less air than the computer is expecting so I must be running way rich. Is this correct?

Another question, can I replace that metal part by itself? I can't tell if it threads in, it looks like it does not.

This may help explain why my hydrocarbons are so high.

90GTRagtop

Air doesn't go back through the crank case, vapors are pulled from the crank case using the engines vacuum. The PCV is really just a check valve. Any gasoline engine will pass some of the vapors by the pistons into the crank case. Years ago, the crankcases were simply vented to atmosphere. Then, with pollution laws, the Positve Crankcase Ventilation system was developed to pull these vapors back through the combustion process.

A direct vacuum leak of this size is not good for the engine running and idling smoothness. That could contribute to the hydrocarbon issue you mentioned (although with MAF, I'd expect it to go lean). The PCV venting under the hood can get messy as carryover material condenses out in the engine bay and leaves a residue behind.