03 ZX2 PCV Elbow Help

For the past few years my ZX2 would always shake when it was idle ( a common problem) but it never really bothered me. A couple days ago while driving home my Check Engine Light came on and when I put the car in park it sounded like it was almost trying to die on me, however it never did.

I took it to a local shop and they pulled the code which said it was a PCV issue. They ended up replacing the PCV Elbow and it seemed fine. It acted a little strange the next day, when I put it into park a few of the dashboard lights would pop up then dissapear when I restarted the car. I took it back up to the shop and they could find absolutely nothing wrong.

Ever since getting it back it has ran great and I have had no more issues, I have noticed though that the engine is now extremely quiet and the car no longer shakes when idle. Is it normal for a new PCV Elbow to cause the engine to sound much quieter and smoother? Thanks

Welcome to the forum!

It will make quite a difference. When the elbow cracks it causes a large vacuum leak making the cylinders closest to the PCV elbow to run lean and starve for fuel. For no more than it does and no more than it costs the PCV valve and the related connections will make a big difference in how your engine runs. If it has a leak or is stuck open it will make the cylinders run lean. If it is stuck shut crankcase pressure will increase until the engine is throwing oil out all of the seals. For a $4 part it does so much.