To much air

[scottc1]

Hello there I am looking at a 1998 escort wagon LX.
When the valve cover cap is removed while the engine is running there seems to be allot of air being pushed out. The amount is such that it brings small amounts of oil with it. As the engine is revved up the volume of air does decrease. Removal of the valve cover with the engine running allows allot of air to come up from the oil return holes in the head, this blows oil all over the place at idle. This appears to be more than the acceptable level of blow by I am familiar with on V-8’s. Also when the engine idles it makes a weird noise which seems to come from under the head near the timing belt. I think it sounds like the oil trying to go down the drain holes while to air is trying to come up, the noise is inconsistent. The engine has around 90k and has had the head gasket changed out. There was also allot of the Carmel colored oil stuck to the underside of the fill cap and stuck to the underside of the valve cover. This car does only get driven into town every day for maybe five miles, parked and driven back home at the end of the day. I assume the Carmel color is moisture in the oil. I drained the crankcase and replaced the oil filter with no signs of water being in there. The coolant level in the overflow bottle is not dropping. Got any ideas? Thank you Scott

[Davescort97]

A clogged up PCV valve will make the pressure blow out the oil passages of your head. Follow the hose with a right hand elbow from the INTAKE MANIFOLD to the crankcase vent tube. The valve just pulls out. Can get one at any parts place for about 3 bucks. I forgot to say that you need to blow through the hose to make sure it isn't clogged up. Oh yeah, you can check the PCV valve by shaking it. It should rattle. Also, you should be able to blow in it one way, but not the other.