Very common PCV vacuum leak 08-16 chevy Cruze 1.4L replacement of valve cover DTC P0171

This video will show you very common pcv vacuum leak on a 08-16 chevy Cruze 1.4L. Replacement of valve cover step by step. DTC P0171
GM Part number 25198877
www.amazon.com/Genuine-Genera...
Disclaimer:
Warnings And Caution!!!!
If you follow the procedures, techniques and methods shown in this video, be aware that you follow them at your own risk.
Under no circumstances will the author(s) and/or publisher(s) of / melniksmotors (melniks automotive) be held liable for any injuries or damages, direct or consequential, incurred by any person who attempts to follow the examples shown herein.
Disclaimer:
Warnings And Caution!!!!
If you follow the procedures, techniques and methods shown in this video, be aware that you follow them at your own risk.
Under no circumstances will the author(s) and/or publisher(s) of / melniksmotors (melniks automotive) be held liable for any injuries or damages, direct or consequential, incurred by any person who attempts to follow the examples shown herein.

[@Jjsamool]

This worked for me on a 2012 Cruze LT. Thank you brother! $80 and about an hour of very simple work.

[@deirdrawalker3963]

This is exactly what’s happening in my Chevy sonic lt 1.8L. Whistling. Showed this video to my mechanic & he is going to replace the valve cover gasket today. This literally started after putting gas in it so we thought it was just bad gas & did a treatment & fuel system cleaning. Glad this is an inexpensive fix. Thanks for your video! ❤️

[@IAmAir22]

My 2016 Chevy Trax has this code, and is running like the car in the beginning. As soon as it's light out, I'm gonna check the hole for leaks. Thanks for sharing.💚

[@hectorsaenz3283]

You nailed it. I greatly appreciate it. Keep up the good work. It saved a lot of time and money. Thank you H Saenz.

[@josuepajarito9099]

Thank you for the knowledge and repair video, fixed my Chevy Cruze because of this 👍

[@SweetDesertHoney]

This is THE most helpful video I've ever found for car issues. OMG thank you. Like, words cannot describe... THANK YOU!!!

[@newt182]

What useful sammich making skills did you get from watching this? :?

[@SweetDesertHoney]

@@newt182 wow. You're a pig. I was raised around cars. My father was a race car driver during the gasser wars and then in his retirement he built up a small team and followed the Good Guys drag racing circuit. I am by no means a mechanic but my roommate (male, age 24) doesn't know sh*t about cars so often it's me who has to pop the hood and get my hands dirty. Sorry if I don't have time to get back into the kitchen where I belong.

[@clayton9136]

@@newt182 Hahahaha

[@clayton9136]

@@SweetDesertHoney HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@f296877]

Thanks George! Great video 👍

[@matrix5175]

Thank you for your video! Exactly what I needed to know.

[@darrelstinson4737]

My daughters Cruze started running rough. I watched your video and sure enough... that was the problem. Thanks for this video. I really wish GM made better cars. This one has less than 60k.

[@DANAETH]

Darrel Stinson same with my car only 60k and I have this issue.

[@BenBenson]

I believe I am having the same issue right now.

[@MsLaurN]

I received a letter from Chevrolet regarding this issue today. If you think you have a cracked pvc diaphragm you may take it to your dealer for replacement. If it's ok now, the warranty will be in effect for ten years/120,000 miles. If you have already made a repair, they will provide reimbursement.

[@clayton9136]

Wow imagine that. A car that you have to MAINTAIN? I am shocked.

[@living-the-dream365]

Clayton, be assured this is not a maintenance issue. It is most definitely a quality issue.

[@johnheffington985]

Replacing the valve cover only puts a band aid on the cause of the problem. The PCV check valve in the intake manifold fails and typically gets sucked into engine. Until the intake manifold is replaced or a CruzeKits bypass kit is installed, you'll be replacing valve covers on the regular. Additionally, the PCV hose running from valve cover to turbo has another check valve in it and should be replaced same time as the valve cover.

[@janrdoh]

I was going to say the same thing. My Vauxhall Astra uses the same engine and the first thing to go was that tiny rubber valve on the intake manifold which then allows over pressure of the oil air separator and destroys it.

[@fluxcapacitor05]

Just as an fyi to anyone who may see this, the version 3 (V3) bypass kit from CruzeKits replaces the PCV hose, so you don't have to replace a defective part with a new defective part.

[@raducumucu1]

exactly. also headcover can be serviced: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZfIn6BrgqeLl5o

[@jmn_ya_dig7606]

Thx for sharing ur video.Hissing sound jus like u said.Just put new cover on and its fixed.Thanx bro💪

[@mikej5853]

Thanks for the diagnosis. Mine has the same problem. Nice video!

[@DANAETH]

Thank you for this video you explain everything clear nice job

[@michaelkane732]

good stuff as always

[@bagofsoda7464]

Awesome video and very informative. Keep in mind to check your intake manifold while installing the valve cover. A bad intake manifold can effect the valve cover and also cause coolant leaks. Found out after my installing the valve cover for the 3rd time.

[@anthonyblackwelder3574]

How do you go about checking the intake manifold while replacing the valve cover?

[@fluxcapacitor05]

@@anthonyblackwelder3574 The non return valve. What he's saying is to check it "in addition to" replacing the valve cover. You don't need to take the valve cover off to check it, but the stupidly designed non return valve inside the intake is the #1 reason these valve covers go bad. You will find that most of the time when the PCV diaphragm is cracked (which is why they leak) is because the NRV in the intake is flat out gone missing. That's not a joke. It goes missing. Disappears. Gone. And, worse, nobody knows really why. When that happens the vacuum pressure builds in the crankcase, which stresses the diaphragm in the PCV portion of the valve cover and cracks it, thereby causing the issue seen in the video.

[@fluxcapacitor05]

@@anthonyblackwelder3574 Just to reiterate, the NRV design is so poor that there are people on the internet building bypass kits with, shit you not, PLUMBING parts from the hardware store. Of course this isn't what the overpayed and worthless Bowtie engineers at GM prefer, but most people who install these kits are flat out tired of replacing their expensive valve covers over and over. They would rather have plumbing components from Ace hardware drilled into their manifold than replace it again. And honestly, I can't blame them. Why replace a broken part with the same exact soon-to-be broken part and fork over another $300 when it can be solved with just $50 in regular plumbing parts?

[@bmosofit8744]

Thanks really helped

[@Albertaenthusiast]

Great video. Easy install and fixed my issue.

[@marcusmorrow3900]

thanks. i was confused about the replaci ng the pcv valve. but know i know i gotta replace the whole cover.

[@ryantucholsky882]

Wish I watched this video two weeks ago😑 and didn’t replace my map sensor and spark plugs that really didn’t need replacing. Thank you Buick Encore same issue same valve cover

[@gilmartinez8580]

Did it work ?

[@itz_row9359]

Thank you for the information brother

[@jeffro20gauge]

Excellent video

[@DaToeCutter]

Very informative ….. awesome video

[@LAU3768]

Will done Thanks for sharing

[@edwardthayer9386]

his name is George not Will.

[@a-pie21]

This is exactly what I needed, thank you! How exactly did you clean and degrease?

[@Ghost-yu9xy]

Thank u mines doing the same i went to a garage they quoted me £380 but I just needed to see i can do it myself an save £280

[@eatmy__shorts]

Great video, helped loads, thank you. Is sealant not necessary between the timing cover and cylinder head? That’s the only other tip I’ve heard that wasn’t mentioned here

[@brendagonzalez7288]

Omg this is my current problem ! I wish I could have the tools to fix it myself

[@ershadbashiryar6642]

Brenda Gonzalez you just needs an e10 socket and a t30 torx ... that’s it

[@rockytop4]

5/16 box end works too

[@Tomlinmx5]

Just got a recall on my 2015 sonic for this problem

[@ACorganicks]

Awesome thanks, I had P1071 code but also P0411 for secondary air pump... hoping this fixes both codes because I already replaced seconbdary air pump and control valve last year! oh AND you can add Chevy Volt to the text so it comes up in search because same engine.

[@Ronick-Q-46]

Nice fix, do you fit it with a dry gasket? and what are the torque settings for the bolts,

[@skildude]

heh I had a problem with the gasket on the cam cover about a year ago. The gasket basically cracked in multiple places. Then over the last year I worked through replacing the catalytic convertor with after market parts that do not work. REPEAT NO aftermarket Cat will work. Just grin and bear it and get in line to buy one at your GM parts dept. This cost me $1500 with parts and labor. . Now I get the PVC dying it never ends.

[@sancheztorres35]

I have a question i got 2012 sonic 1.8 non turbo so i noticed oil in on of the sparks so i decided to replace de valve cover gasket and before car was running ok so i want to replaced the gasket for the oil leak inthe spark so i got the felpro gasket put everything back on and when i started the car the pcv valve is sucking a lot air and if u try to open the oil cap car shoutoff or takeout the oil dipstick car shout off either so why if before the car was ok just the gasket was bad i got code p0171 and engine strumbling and if u step on gas star whistling any advice please

[@chrisp8395]

Du you have air suction through oil cap when in idle ? After new part installed

[@renedelafuente123]

I know you did this video long time ago but doesn't the problem start with the orange check valve inside intake manifold where it falls off and then it affects other parts like valve cover PVC you talk about? Did you ever check for check valve in intake manifold. Thanks for video any feedback appreciated

[@an0nym0us1]

Did you have higher oil consumption ? I have the same problem , whistle sound from rocker cover and higher oil consumption

[@AOG_ETH]

Do you have use any type of liquid sealant? Can you just clean all around and slap it on?

[@cheeriomartinez]

I have a 2014 Chevy volt and my valve cover is doing the same thing. But I'm not getting any codes. I think my car is rough idling? But maybe it's been like this the whole time? Should I still change it?

[@JosePerez-nk2lf]

Does the 2011chevy aveo have a pcv valve ? I found the hose but there's no way to unscrew the "valve" or is it inside the valve cover ? Or is it the other side of the hose on the throttle body ? Help

[@DelEast740]

If one comes completely plugged will it cause a front new crank seal to fail? Nice video.

[@ameelgajjo8097]

I was too close to buy a 2016 Chevy Cruze but while the car was running I removed the oil cap and it started idling. I never seen idling in removing that cap in other cars. I don't know whether this is normal for Chevy's or it means something about air leak?

[@smward1126]

What did you use to clean the mating surface ?

[@sooflex15]

Did you have to change the intake manifold?

[@MrDarth44]

should i torque close it or something? or just by hand strangth?

[@mattywoo3649]

Got that P1101 code and did smoke maf and air filter still flipping code going to do this today 🙏

[@eatmy__shorts]

How did it go??

[@mattywoo3649]

Throttle body is dirty get some cleaner and will throw code.

[@OvenBak3d360]

I wonder how many stripped out there E 10 bolts using a incorrect socket like suggested

[@thatblindguy81]

So had this problem. But once I took off old cover, and put new on, 2 bolt holes are stripped. Advise please.

[@2010ngojo]

You also have to check the intake manifold check valve and the pcv hose. They're all related. Don't just check one of them.

[@jordanperino6816]

Will this cause white smoke coming out of the tail pipe?

[@jordanmeiller2140]

Anyone watching this who is just replacing the valve cover, inspect the PCV one way valve inside the intake manifold. The diaphragm is the effect the intake manifold one way valve that becomes dislodged is the cause. Doing just the VC and not manifold can result in the same issue happening again

[@christianbaylor5352]

Pro tip : watch series on Flixzone. Been using them for watching lots of of movies these days.

[@maverickgavin9489]

@Christian Baylor definitely, have been using flixzone for years myself :D

[@DzHarryNuttz]

Also, be careful when you tighten those bolts. Barely finger tight or you'll squeeze out the grommets and then you'll start having vacuum problems during to leaks

[@aWildJP]

Is the diaphragm suppose to blow air out excessively when running??

[@elguerochoyero2220]

What was the procedure for cleaning the exposed head at 4:15?

[@oswaldogarza01]

just use any kind of cleaner, i normally use brake cleaner and either wipe it off or use a razor blade and clean it off just make sure not to score the head.

[@cemuzay8103]

Diagram should out the gases right ?

[@dominicsack9525]

Is that little while not supposed to suck in air?

[@gerardoduenas5815]

My sonic has a small leak in that pcv valve, is not showing any code. Do inhave to replace it?

[@ahmedjetlieaa]

I have tried to remove the cover but did not want to come out. Could it be fixed by glow if yes how can i remove it. Any advise please.

[@gsd321123gh]

Do they make an aftermarket valve cover that does not leak

[@Netherlands031]

What's missing from this video is the purpose of this leaking thing. As far as I can tell, it's a vent to release crankcase pressure in case the normal ventilation of the crank case fails (if the PCV valve gets full of gunk). What's shown in this video is the proper way to fix the vacuum leak issue, but if you feel like flying a bit closer to the sun you can jam some silicone in the vent, and make the sure PCV valve is inspected/replaced often enough, which should be cheaper/easier.

[@dancurrier6421]

I don't have any codes on my 2015chevy Cruze LT 1.4eco tubro running like crap changed spark plugs I have checked to see if it was hissing nothing's happening. I start it up every morning take of and it Skips like crazy. when it's hot after sitting come out from a store or house skips then straight out

[@BenDover-jn5el]

Is this still an issue in 2018/2019 1.4L Trax and Sonics?

[@anthonyjulson8840]

I think it is.

[@AgWhatsUp]

Why does this part go bad, this is the second time I’m going to have to replace mine for this same issue. What can I do to avoid it

[@vajirapani8214]

Bro, so why cannot just close that hole,, sounds stupid but why not? what will it cause??? thanks in advance

[@nkululekomaqoboz8280]

What causes this car to rev itself up while it's just idling ?

[@byteec]

Юра. А у нас бы срезали кришку pcv клапана на клапаной крышке, поменяли б мембрану и запаяли бы назад. вот и весь ремонт.

[@melniksmotors]

Ну да. Я згідний. Ну тут у нас такий варіант не працює. У нас все міняють а не ремонтують.

[@byteec]

@@melniksmotors Да я прекрасно понимаю официальный дилер гарантия репутация и все остальное я просто имел в виду что у нас каменный век ещё в веду обстоятельств

[@dylantriplett1597]

What’s the best way to clean it?

[@clayton9136]

Water hose.

[@sade6875]

Hey I changed my valve cover and everything was fine for 2 weeks. Now whenever I fill my tank my car has difficulty starting (engine shaking and rough idle) I got code P0171 but not sure what to do

[@sarkistachjian9170]

change purge valve

[@eyster88]

What if you cover the tiny hole and it starts making a squeaking sound?

[@clayton9136]

Lol.

[@jitheeshpulikkal4540]

Thanks sir and for tsb also of any vehicle

[@twinsautumnandaubree6875]

What if its not making the hissing noise?

[@joshua1281]

Do you have any vacuum coming from the diaphragm when idling after you replace the valve cover? My Cruze pulls a little vacuum at idle through the diaphragm, but not as much as you were showing with your bad valve cover.

[@richardh8478]

this. Mine has a little airflow at idle and I'm not sure if that is normal. I mean, what would the hole be for if not for a little air flow?

[@gabrielortiz3548]

I changed the valve cover but I let it idle and smoke was coming from underneath the engine

[@chads.6518]

No folks thats not the right socket those are all torx head bolts. E10 if I remember correctly. What kind of garage is this???

[@Rob-tx3jl]

You can still repair that diaphragm but not many people go that far

[@hasekg39]

2014 Cruze 1.4 turbo Last year I started having a under boost message as well as 2 symptoms 1: extremely low and lagging power (rpm’s would go up but very very slow power response) not all the time but most of the time as the turbo seems to work sometimes 2: a oil smell occasionally mostly at rest. I figured it was the turbo so I replaced it and the message went away and my power restored but only for about 4 months now the message is back with the same exact symptoms. I recently learnt that my engine requires 4 liters and not the 4.5 I’ve been adding so I started to dive into that issue and found my PCV valve to be faulty and I’m wondering do these 2 issues directly relate ? Can I fix my valve cover and solve my problem or do you think extensive damage was caused ? Sorry for this being a bit long

[@mariscalf2412]

Can I just put gorilla tape on it? Lol

[@YourKissIsMyOnlySin]

What are the torque specs for the cover and the coil?

[@ThunderHead_Hawkins]

You are the torque spec

[@MrAlfrdedo]

What if you don't hear no air coming out?

[@passionosborne6244]

Literally same problem. I don’t hear any air coming out at all

[@martinwalsh9470]

So why not just plug the hole that is whistling and letting all of the air in? I have this same problem and after seeing this video realized that my 11 codes and misfire were due to the valve cover leak. I just replaced the coil pack thinking it was that, but valve cover it is...so why not just plug the hole?

[@JustinWild]

I'm not certain but my guess is that it's supposed to be a diaphragm that lets air in when the pressure gets too great. If you plug the hole, you could prevent it from releasing the pressure and could damage other parts in the vacuum system.

[@JustinWild]

Hey, I was right! Check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5-XiIJteb6mis0

[@falsedragon33]

Its the positive crank system. Some of the compression on a compression stoke leaks below the pistons, pressurizing the crank case. If left to pressurize, you will blow out all those seals, creating oil leaks. Yet if the diaphragm goes, air will be sucked into the intake messing with your fuel mixture.

[@falsedragon33]

Also valve covers dont leak air. This particular one holds the diaphragm to the pcv system, that blows out due to a poor pcv system. With the pcv being located in the air intake. The only real fix is to rebuild the pcv system. Sounds hard, but really isnt.

[@Klean-Kut-LLC]

I would not recommend plugging the hole, underneath is an orange, rubber grommet, underneath the grommet is a spring. In the middle of the spring is a small port and when the engine is running, vacuum is applied to the port which pulls the rubber grommet down closer to the port, compressing the spring. It does not completely close off the port but instead acts as a pressure regulator. The port is there as a failsafe, if any component of the PCV system fails and there is excess positive pressure that port is the relief. Downfall is it has to be replaced after it starts leaking, upside is it’s better and cheaper than replacing a head gasket lol

[@peterpruimpjes]

Curiosity got the better of me...what happens if you just 'plug' up the diaphragm hole, would that not just fix the problem?...maybe I'm too simple....anyone who has tried this? Thanks.

[@kashonder]

Can we just block the hole with something?

[@dickJohnsonpeter]

They have problems with all the parts that are made of plastic that used to be made of metal. Plastic and metal have different expansion rates from heat, and I'm sure that was taken into account and the numbers worked but engineers are supposed to be a bridge between the theoretical and the actual. I think they failed here. Granted, they were starting from the ground up but corporate bureaucracy caused too much confusion.

[@falsedragon33]

A good video on the diaphragm. The diaphragm isnt the pcv however. Why is the diaphragm blowing? This is a symptom, not an issue. Start moving over to the air intake, that is where your problem is. While you are there, rebuild the pcv system so it has a chance to work. This design never will. You will forever blow those diaphragms.

[@scttbrwn277]

The PCV in made into the intake, if it sticks boost pressure is allowed into the crankcase and blows the valve cover. The only long tern fix is to replace the intake, valve cover and crank seal.

[@newt182]

Yeah it's the oil separator. You can get a kit to replace the crappy check valve in the intake manifold and move the check valve to outside the manifold.

[@ilikecars9281]

You think getting a non oem part will matter?

[@AOG_ETH]

I purchased a doorman it was made in China hopefully it works out

[@brandonsalas6552]

I can plastic weld

[@vpavlenko726]

Chevy has factory recall for valve cover. Call dealer.

[@dilipsasikumar7140]

After seeing this comment, Went to a chevy dealer today to replace the valve cover on my chevy sonic 2013 hoping that it is covered in recall or under my vehicle warrantly. Unfortunately i got ripped off and ended up paying 525$ to get the valve cover replaced. They sounded as if the valve cover replacement is covered when i initially called them up for the appointment and after diagnosis they told me that there is no issue with valve cover, but it is actually the camshaft cover, which is not covered under any warranty or recalls and ended up paying what they asked for since i am not a mechanic and i dont know the difference between a camshaft cover and valve cover to argue. Praying that my check engine light doesnt come back on after few days.

[@DzHarryNuttz]

$500? I replaced mine myself for $45. Took me about a half hour. About to replace it again after about 20,000 miles. This is the price we pay for buying ecotecs!

[@jitheeshpulikkal4540]

Sir how to get free wiring diagram of any vehicle

[@melniksmotors]

Rev base BBB industries. Search it in Google

[@maumuse2211]

What if you cover the whole meantime

[@rockytop4]

That will cause issues else where ie turbo..intake manifold

[@gregoryhutchinson6164]

I couldn't follow this video. I have a 2016 Cruze 1.4L and the layout doesn't look like this.

[@jasonp2758]

FYI for anyone with this problem currently. Chevy will fix this for free under Special Policy N202299080. They had it done in under an hour and it made a HUGE difference.

[@anikacrawford7255]

How do I find this policy?

[@passionosborne6244]

???

[@jasonp2758]

@@anikacrawford7255 so sorry, I made this comment months ago and just saw your reply in my email. When I realized I had this problem I called the local dealership and asked if there were any recalls concerning this issue. At first they said no but then called me back and said there was. That policy # is what it was covered under. Again, sorry for the huge delay.

[@jasonp2758]

@@passionosborne6244 @Anika Crawford so sorry, I made this comment months ago and just saw your reply in my email. When I realized I had this problem I called the local dealership and asked if there were any recalls concerning this issue. At first they said no but then called me back and said there was. That policy # is what it was covered under. Again, sorry for the huge delay.

[@alextryby7222]

dude that spark plug strip is supposed to be yellow my god clean that thing

[@jesusislord2149]

Alex Tryby not all of them are...

[@soapsnatcher]

Plug won't come off and u skipped it.

[@YZdude]

After about 4 repairs on my Cruze I'm doing my this one now, mine is throwing the code and hissing air out of that hole and I just changed my valve cover seal lol This car is full of bad designs 🤦‍♂️

[@scottschuett7765]

We have the 2012 Sonic 1.4 Turbo and what a POS design. Plastic parts that fail very early. Radiator leaks galore, erratic idle throwing codes, pressure diaphragm failure, at only 60K miles! What an embarrassment to American Automotive design. Never again. We are buying Honda or Toyota from now on.

[@gilmartinez8580]

Did it work ?

[@raducumucu1]

Don t replace the whole cover, it can be repaired, only the membrane changed: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZfIn6BrgqeLl5o.

[@anthonyjulson8840]

Replace the intake too, or else you're going to replace more than just a valve cover too!

[@frankjimenez2337]

I have this type of P.O.S car freaking junk chevy really did a outstanding job putting this junk ass car 🚗 👎👎👎👎

[@anubaral]

What a shitty fix. 80$ for a diaphragm that costs like 10$ at most. The issue will reoccur within the next 2 years anyway. Heat up that cap area, ply it off with a flathead screwdriver, replace the rubber, put the cap back in with some gasket sealant, enjoy the cheap fix.