Quick question. For the time being, can I just replace the valve cover? I'm seriously contemplating repairing this little turd, or just trading it in on something else. If I trade it in, I need the CEL off. Hate to be that way, but ****ty design by GM here and I'm not fond of the way the car is nickel and diming me with stupid little repairs.
PCV valve 1.4
- Thread starter suitcasejefferson
- Start date
Pirate Luke
Member
You can if you want to risk damaging your engine (mostly over time). You will only be band-aiding the real problem which is just $150 part (intake manifold 25200449) to fix the issue which is probably causing all your other issues as well.
$150 part and a few hours of your time to solve all your problems with the PCV system OR the hassle and time of selling the car and hoping the new one you get doesn't have problems (if you aren't buying new)? No brainer.
The design of this car is amazing except for the PCV system, it's simple to work on, parts are everywhere you look, and there's many smart people here on the forums able to narrow down issues so you can fix it and love it forever.
Here is a step by step guide to replace your issue with the part I listed above: How-To: Remove 2011-2016 Cruze 1.4L Intake Manifold
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$150? Chevrolet quoted me $260 the other day. I asked if it was the revised part. He didn't know if it was revised, but he did say it was a new number.
I'm still thinking about it. I like my Sonic but it's woefully underpowered, especially with the AC on. I've kind of been looking for an SS. If I could pick one up for low $30s, I would probably do that in a heart beat.
I'm still thinking about it. I like my Sonic but it's woefully underpowered, especially with the AC on. I've kind of been looking for an SS. If I could pick one up for low $30s, I would probably do that in a heart beat.
Pirate Luke
Member
There's a reason they call it the stealership. 
Here is the part brand new with the check valve causing your issues on amazon for $138 (after applying the free 20% off coupon). The one they were selling you most likely has the fuel rail and other stuff you don't need attached to it.
https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-25200449-Original-Equipment-Manifold/dp/B07B3YGB2K
That link in my previous post will walk you through replacing it. I recently spent much time understanding this system tracking down a rough idle to the same thing (literally over the course of months). Almost everyone's issues relate back to this little orange check valve. I followed the same guide (its got pictures and everything) and used the exact same link/part from amazon literally this last Saturday and it runs like I just bought the car, but it has 104k miles on it.
Here is the part brand new with the check valve causing your issues on amazon for $138 (after applying the free 20% off coupon). The one they were selling you most likely has the fuel rail and other stuff you don't need attached to it.https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-25200449-Original-Equipment-Manifold/dp/B07B3YGB2K
That link in my previous post will walk you through replacing it. I recently spent much time understanding this system tracking down a rough idle to the same thing (literally over the course of months). Almost everyone's issues relate back to this little orange check valve. I followed the same guide (its got pictures and everything) and used the exact same link/part from amazon literally this last Saturday and it runs like I just bought the car, but it has 104k miles on it.
I will probably end up doing that. It's just going to have to wait a few weeks. Starting next weekend, I'll be out of town for over a week.
Is the one you're talking about the revised one? Or is it just a new manifold with the same craptastic design that fails all the time?
I put the new valve cover on this morning. Half hour, taking my time. Amazing. Started it up and idled smooth as it ever has. Hopefully this makes it until I get that manifold. Will probably do in a few weeks. Just don't have time right now. Way too much to do and too little time to get it all done.
Is the one you're talking about the revised one? Or is it just a new manifold with the same craptastic design that fails all the time?
I put the new valve cover on this morning. Half hour, taking my time. Amazing. Started it up and idled smooth as it ever has. Hopefully this makes it until I get that manifold. Will probably do in a few weeks. Just don't have time right now. Way too much to do and too little time to get it all done.
Pirate Luke
Member
As far as I know, there isn't a revised design on the PCV system in our sonics intake manifolds. If someone has any info otherwise, we'd both appreciate it.
The only cheap(er) alternative is a mod where you patch the check valve hole and run an externally maintainable PCV check valve. I actually have a few extra mod kits for this to use as a temporary fix in case any of my families 2 sonics, 1 encore, and 2 cruzes that all use the same manifold decides to lose its check valve.
I've read of a few members not replacing the intake when their check valve disappears and making it a while longer than the few weeks you're referring to. Just take it easy, and please, report back on what happens. It's how we learn. :banana:
The only cheap(er) alternative is a mod where you patch the check valve hole and run an externally maintainable PCV check valve. I actually have a few extra mod kits for this to use as a temporary fix in case any of my families 2 sonics, 1 encore, and 2 cruzes that all use the same manifold decides to lose its check valve.
I've read of a few members not replacing the intake when their check valve disappears and making it a while longer than the few weeks you're referring to. Just take it easy, and please, report back on what happens. It's how we learn. :banana:
When I first heard about this PCV problem I was wondering how hard it would be to just run an external check valve. I really don't understand why GM decided to make things less serviceable with this internal design. I just figured there was some additional function to this design. If it's that simple, I might just do that. Seems like that would be fairly easy.
Pirate Luke
Member
I did the mod as a temporary fix until I replaced my whole intake, worked perfectly fine. The system design when under 50k miles is still new and clean and operates rather efficiently for what it was intended to do. At high mileage applications it ends up being the weak point because oil residue gets inside and it looks like this.
Here is a small 11/32 nut I put next to the orange check valve for scale (notice how tiny the holes that allow vacuum flow to occur are):
Here is what it looks like after 100k miles looking down the hole in the picture above:
PCV maintenance is required at minimum, even just using a Q-tip with cleaning solution will help tremendously. You might check to make sure yours isn't just clogged and is indeed missing. You can just pull off the black corrugated hose going to the top of the intake manifold to see what's in the above pictures. Just a single metal retainer holding it on that needlenose pliers are perfect for, and takes quite literally 3 minutes.
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Good post I heard of this problem and found the sticky thread here in the do it your self section I bought the PCV 1 or v1 kit and the bnr throttle spacer so I do not need to replace my intake all the info is in that thread I have a 13 RS with only 24k I'm still good but just replacing the PCV I don't think will last very long with the kit it goes back into your throttle body and the PCV is external now 60 for the spacer anfd 75 for the fix kit about 115 and it will forever fix this issue I'm just waiting for the parts to do the job ....
