Pcv Valve

What is the function of this valve and does it affect gas mileage at all, I have a 97 grand prix GT, 106k and lately my mileage is suffering, I know I have to put new plugs in and replace my O2 sensor, however I read somewhere about this pcv valve??? Thanks for any insight.

The PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) valve recirculates unburned gases back into the engine to be reburned, cutting air pollution. A plugged PCV can cause rough engine idle and many other problems, including engine damage. It is quite important that the PCV value be working properly in your car.The process of combustion forms several gases and vapors; many of them quite corrosive. Some of these gases get past the piston rings and into the crankcase. If left in the crankcase, these substances would cause all kinds of bad things (rust, corrosion, and formation of sludge), so they have to be removed. Back in the old days, they used to be dumped out into the atmosphere through a tube. Once they realized what a problem pollution was in the sixties, the PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) system was developed to take the place of the old "dump tube." The PCV system uses a hose connected between the engine and the intake manifold to draw these gases out of the engine's crankcase and back into the cylinders to burn with the regular fuel. The only problem to solve is how to keep these gases from going into the manifold and upsetting the required air-fuel ratio. The solution to this problem is the PCV valve. The PCV valve controls the release of crankcase gases and vapors to the intake manifold. The valve is kept closed by spring action when the engine is at rest. When the engine is running normally, the low vacuum it creates allows the valve to open and release crankcase vapors and gases into the intake manifold for burning. If the engine is idling or you are slowing down, the vacuum level rises and pulls the valve plunger into the valve opening. This partially blocks off the opening so that only a small amount of vapors and gases can be drawn into the intake manifold. One really comforting feature of the PCV valve is its behavior in the event of a backfire. If your car backfires in the manifold, the pressure makes the spring close the valve completely. With the valve closed, there is no chance that the flame can move into the crankcase and cause an explosion.

How to replace the PCV on A GT Click Here (http://macgp.clubgp.com/howto/engine/pcv/gt/pcv.html)

~Larry~