oil in air filter

Like most people out there i have been viewing this forum for a while now using the great advice for good use. unfortunatly i now have a problem that i have not been able to find the answer to so here i am.
I went to replace my air filter on my 96 geo metro 1.0L 3cly and found about a tsp of oil sitting in the housing unit. I was wondering what the possible causes of this are.
I am heading on a 2600 mile road trip in three days that would not be possible without 47-50mpg. I appriciate the help.

Don't worry about it. If that's all that's built up in there in the last 12 years you will be fine. It gets sucked in from the valve cover over time and accumulates. It's nothing to worry about just wipe it out when you get a chance.

When was the last time you changed your PCV Valve in this car? At approx $5.00 for a new valve, they are a cheap maintainence item, and directly related to venting the crankcase back into the airfilter housing .


Don't worry about it. If that's all that's built up in there in the last 12 years you will be fine. It gets sucked in from the valve cover over time and accumulates. It's nothing to worry about just wipe it out when you get a chance.

If he's owned the car for the last 12 years, I Doubt that it's the 1st time that he's decided to change the air filter in it, Only this time he found the oil buildup. The PCV Valve is what vents the vapors from the crankcase Via the Valve cover etc...

I agree with GM, PCV valve is the issue. I have same issue with my 92 1.0 liter.. I now change mine every 5 k and clean out the hose.

I have owned the car since last september. this is the first time I have replaced the air filter since gas milage was not an issue. Is replacing pvc valve covered in the hanes manual?

When was the last time you changed your PCV Valve in this car? At approx $5.00 for a new valve, they are a cheap maintainence item, and directly related to venting the crankcase back into the airfilter housing .




If he's owned the car for the last 12 years, I Doubt that it's the 1st time that he's decided to change the air filter in it, Only this time he found the oil buildup. The PCV Valve is what vents the vapors from the crankcase Via the Valve cover etc...
Oil buid up is common in there and I'm sure that's what he's referring to. He never said he owned it for 12 years, I was referring to the age of the car. All 3 of my metro's show signs of oil in the breather and 2 have new PCV valves....

It may be a good idea to try the PCV valve for the hell of it but I doubt there is any issue here. A small amount of oil buildup is common in the breather as I said earlier. Your PCV valve is located in the center of your intake manifold between the throttle body and valve cover. It is held on by two screws. You will have to remove or loosen the bottom half of the breather from the valve cover with a 10mm socket wrench (1 bolt) to remove the 3 end hose that connects the breather, pcv, and valve cover. Good luck...

PS: It's not necessary to replace the PCV every 5000 miles as stated above. You will most likely never need another one during the remainder of the cars life. If you suspect it's clogged etc you can clean it out with carb cleaner.

Yeah, I think this is more common than people realize. Mine does the same thing. Nothing wrong with the PCV valve. If you look at the air filter base, you can see that it is designed to vent that oil into the throttle body housing, but I think that there is just a bit too much oil to deal with, and it puddles a bit. I just keep it clean, and don't worry much about it.

-Pink