PCV Fix Kit V3.4

CherylCruze · Apr 27, 2024

Alright y’all, I’m here to eat crow & admit my Cruze needed the PCV fix kit!

If you look at my past comments, I was certain the fix kit was just a member of the community trying to profit off us…until I noticed my PCV hose was cracked & leaking putrid odours…

It’s only been a day, but the smell has already dissipated to a shell of what it once was (thankfully).

My MIL has turned off & it doesn’t idle anywhere near as rough after coming off the highway.

Thank you Dre - hopefully my Cruze can make it another 200 000km’s because of your fix kit!

Attached is before & after pictures.

thebac · Apr 27, 2024

The PCV system is #1 on the list of things to upgrade on the Gen1 1.4.
It is the root cause of so many other problems with those engines.

snowwy66 · Apr 27, 2024

If the operating temp were lowered.

It probably wouldn't need a kit in the first place.

One member did that and he's not having any of the problems you all are having.

The second gen also has none of the first gen problems.

CherylCruze · Apr 28, 2024

snowwy66 said:
If the operating temp were lowered.

It probably wouldn't need a kit in the first place.

One member did that and he's not having any of the problems you all are having.

The second gen also has none of the first gen problems.

Agreed. I replaced thermostat with the metal aftermarket that operates at ~20F lower…

CherylCruze · Apr 28, 2024

thebac said:
The PCV system is #1 on the list of things to upgrade on the Gen1 1.4.
It is the root cause of so many other problems with those engines.

I’ll be preaching to every Cruze owner this kit will save you all the issues if you do it as PM instead of wait for things to go wrong…
I had cam seal leaks, coolant leaks & rough idles (all consistent with PCV failure).

She’s been running like a beauty all weekend & even did oil change today to know everything is fresh!

thebac · Apr 28, 2024

snowwy66 said:
If the operating temp were lowered.

It probably wouldn't need a kit in the first place.

One member did that and he's not having any of the problems you all are having.

The second gen also has none of the first gen problems.

Yep, #2 on the list.

XtremeRevolution · Apr 29, 2024

Thank you for the honest post. I try my best to keep the price down on the kits to make them affordable. In fact, a month and a half ago I spent an entire week migrating my site from to a new ecommerce platform solely to be able to offer more affordable shipping options for international orders. Canada used to be only USPS priority mail for $25 extra, and now I can ship UPS and FedEx for $20 (sometimes less). I haven't increased prices on the V3 kit through all of COVID; it's been $75 for the past 4.5 years running. If there's anything else I can do to help or assist with, please let me know!

ben.wilkins918 · Apr 30, 2024

You upgraded your PCV, but downgraded your coolant!

Before:

After:

Haha as an actual comment, nice work! PCV fix was the first thing I did with my Cruze and I have zero regrets. I'm planning to replace the thermostat at some point soon with a metal one - how tough was it? Did you have to jack the engine up? Did you replace the pump while you were at it?

CherylCruze · Apr 30, 2024

ben.wilkins918 said:
You upgraded your PCV, but downgraded your coolant!

Before:
View attachment 307301

After:
View attachment 307302

Haha as an actual comment, nice work! PCV fix was the first thing I did with my Cruze and I have zero regrets. I'm planning to replace the thermostat at some point soon with a metal one - how tough was it? Did you have to jack the engine up? Did you replace the pump while you were at it?

Haha what kind of windshield washer fluid is that?!?

The thermostat was an easier replacement than the outlet.
Probably will need to clean your bolt heads before taking them off.
I jacked up drivers side of the car when doing flush but there was still coolant gushing out when I pulled off the old thermostat.

I did not do the water pump because that is a much harder job than even doing the outlet!

ben.wilkins918 · Apr 30, 2024

CherylCruze said:
Haha what kind of windshield washer fluid is that?!?

The thermostat was an easier replacement than the outlet.
Probably will need to clean your bolt heads before taking them off.
I jacked up drivers side of the car when doing flush but there was still coolant gushing out when I pulled off the old thermostat.

I did not do the water pump because that is a much harder job than even doing the outlet!

Wait that's where you put windshield fluid??? I've been doing my car all wrong....

CherylCruze · May 1, 2024

ben.wilkins918 said:
Wait that's where you put windshield fluid??? I've been doing my car all wrong....

Are you using the generic engine coolant? Looks opaque rather than a colour…

When I go to the scrapyard I see a lot of those reservoirs filled with green coolant & can’t help but wonder if they thought windshield washer fluid is the same thing!🤣

ben.wilkins918 · May 1, 2024

CherylCruze said:
Are you using the generic engine coolant? Looks opaque rather than a colour…

When I go to the scrapyard I see a lot of those reservoirs filled with green coolant & can’t help but wonder if they thought windshield washer fluid is the same thing!🤣

Uh... those are snips from your pictures.

So...

Are you using generic coolant? Lol I was just assuming your "after" pic was taken after you replaced the thermostat / before you refilled your reservoir and wanted to make a joke about it (plus lead into my other questions).

CherylCruze · May 1, 2024

ben.wilkins918 said:
Uh... those are snips from your pictures.

So...

Are you using generic coolant? Lol I was just assuming your "after" pic was taken after you replaced the thermostat / before you refilled your reservoir and wanted to make a joke about it (plus lead into my other questions).

LOL ok that makes sense!

You got it: I took the picture after everything was installed but before refilling the system.

I only use the OEM coolant but I’ve heard that’s half the problem with this system. Granted my friend telling me this is a Ford aficionado so might be made up by their community lol

ForgedCrank · May 1, 2024

CherylCruze said:
Alright y’all, I’m here to eat crow & admit my Cruze needed the PCV fix kit!

If you look at my past comments, I was certain the fix kit was just a member of the community trying to profit off us…until I noticed my PCV hose was cracked & leaking putrid odours…

It’s only been a day, but the smell has already dissipated to a shell of what it once was (thankfully).

I'll jump on the wagon and concur as well. The kit is a little bit spendy, but don't be fooled, it winds up being cheaper in the end that trying to put it all together yourself. It's totally worth it not having to source parts from 8 different places and make 9 trips to the parts store or Amazon to get all the stuff you forgot or didn't fit. In the end, it's less expensive to just buy the kit. I don't know the guy who makes the kit, but I try to sell it every time I see this subject rear it's head on the forum here, it's a solid fix. Even the instructional video eliminates the typical DIY mistakes one might make during the process... wasting materials, etc. I did my sons car and replaced everything including the valve cover all at the same time and the thing runs like a sewing machine now. The only thing I'll add is that there is another check valve that can go bad that is not included with the kit (GM# 25193343), and mine was bad which required replacement. This must be checked during the install to make sure everything operates as intended. The check valve is on the end of the tube that clips onto the turbocharger housing. You should be able to blow through it in one direction, but not the other way, no air should leak past.
I went all-out when I did mine... removed the intake, scrubbed and cleaned it with soap and water, plugged the hole for the failed factory check valve, replaced the valve cover, the hoses, cleaned the throttle body, everything. All the annoying leaks went away, the car has more power, and now, like I said, the cur runs like brand new again.
I'd also suggest grabbing a handful of extra check valves. They are cheap and it's worth having a coupe around because that will eventually get clogged up and need replaced.

XtremeRevolution · May 1, 2024

ForgedCrank said:
I'll jump on the wagon and concur as well. The kit is a little bit spendy, but don't be fooled, it winds up being cheaper in the end that trying to put it all together yourself. It's totally worth it not having to source parts from 8 different places and make 9 trips to the parts store or Amazon to get all the stuff you forgot or didn't fit. In the end, it's less expensive to just buy the kit. I don't know the guy who makes the kit, but I try to sell it every time I see this subject rear it's head on the forum here, it's a solid fix. Even the instructional video eliminates the typical DIY mistakes one might make during the process... wasting materials, etc. I did my sons car and replaced everything including the valve cover all at the same time and the thing runs like a sewing machine now. The only thing I'll add is that there is another check valve that can go bad that is not included with the kit (GM# 25193343), and mine was bad which required replacement. This must be checked during the install to make sure everything operates as intended. The check valve is on the end of the tube that clips onto the turbocharger housing. You should be able to blow through it in one direction, but not the other way, no air should leak past.
I went all-out when I did mine... removed the intake, scrubbed and cleaned it with soap and water, plugged the hole for the failed factory check valve, replaced the valve cover, the hoses, cleaned the throttle body, everything. All the annoying leaks went away, the car has more power, and now, like I said, the cur runs like brand new again.
I'd also suggest grabbing a handful of extra check valves. They are cheap and it's worth having a coupe around because that will eventually get clogged up and need replaced.

Hey there! I'm the guy who made the kit!

Thanks for the order, and I really appreciate you telling others about it. I try to keep the prices low, but running a business has it costs too as I'm sure you can imagine. I just ordered more boxes today for packaging, for $800, as an example.

The fittings used in the kit however can't be found in store, so you'd be even more frustrated after trying to piece something together to not even find something comparable. The T fitting is custom made (I have my own nylon injection mold made for it), and the check valves have custom internals. The check valves are actually rather special since they have a super low crack pressure and use a genuine viton plunger, which makes them excellent for chemical compatibility and extreme temperature performance. There's a lot more to the kit than meets the eye. Even the PCV hose spec needs to be right or the hose won't hold vacuum or will deteriorate internally due to the liner compatibility.

Thanks again for the feedback. It's people like you that make my efforts worthwhile. I'm grateful.

ForgedCrank · May 8, 2024

XtremeRevolution said:
Hey there! I'm the guy who made the kit!

Thanks for the order, and I really appreciate you telling others about it. I try to keep the prices low, but running a business has it costs too as I'm sure you can imagine. I just ordered more boxes today for packaging, for $800, as an example.

The fittings used in the kit however can't be found in store, so you'd be even more frustrated after trying to piece something together to not even find something comparable. The T fitting is custom made (I have my own nylon injection mold made for it), and the check valves have custom internals. The check valves are actually rather special since they have a super low crack pressure and use a genuine viton plunger, which makes them excellent for chemical compatibility and extreme temperature performance. There's a lot more to the kit than meets the eye. Even the PCV hose spec needs to be right or the hose won't hold vacuum or will deteriorate internally due to the liner compatibility.

Thanks again for the feedback. It's people like you that make my efforts worthwhile. I'm grateful.

I totally get it.
Considering time spent and expenses, I'm doubting you are making much on these kits in the end, especially if you count your time as being worth something.
This little kit has solved countless problems in the 1.4 world. Irritation and determination are what evolve into projects like yours. If I had to bet, you got PO'd at your own 1.4 and that is what led to this kit and fixing untold numbers of these #$%#% things. I know I appreciate it. I imagine you probably even put a pretty big dent in Dorman and GM intake manifold sales. hehe. DIY guys run the car world so thanks for the effort you put into it all. 99% of us are way too lazy to sit down and piece this stuff together like that.

Wyre · May 8, 2024

Is the PCV fix compatible with the ZZP Aluminum Valve Cover?

Thank you,

baltimorewill2011 · May 8, 2024

XtremeRevolution said:
Thank you for the honest post. I try my best to keep the price down on the kits to make them affordable. In fact, a month and a half ago I spent an entire week migrating my site from to a new ecommerce platform solely to be able to offer more affordable shipping options for international orders. Canada used to be only USPS priority mail for $25 extra, and now I can ship UPS and FedEx for $20 (sometimes less). I haven't increased prices on the V3 kit through all of COVID; it's been $75 for the past 4.5 years running. If there's anything else I can do to help or assist with, please let me know!

Big thanks for what you do !!!
Put thelatest kit on my 2015 LTZ… over a year ago. Stock 1 way is still going ! Super super simple Slice and dice plug the original pcv 1 way valve … put everything new on ( had issues on the wholepcv system on mine 1 way at turbo.. pcv regulator… ( valve cover ) Thanks again!

XtremeRevolution · May 9, 2024

Wyre said:
Is the PCV fix compatible with the ZZP Aluminum Valve Cover?

View attachment 307367

Thank you,

Yes, technically it's compatible since it has nothing to do with the valve cover, but I generally recommend against all aftermarket valve covers on these cars. There are tons of reported issues on the aluminum valve covers, and they offer zero benefits over nylon in this application. The aluminum ones (from anyone, I'm not targeting ZZP in this) have issues reported such as oil leaking through bolts, valve cover warping, premature failure of the diaphragm, leaking around the edges of the diaphragm, early gasket failure (with no replacements available), diaphragm cap blowing off, oil fill cap blowing off, and other various leaks.

The only thing that matters on these valve covers is the durability of the diaphragm, and in that area, the OEM valve cover is best. You can usually get 60,000-120,000 miles (sometimes more) out of an OEM valve cover with a good working manifold or my PCV fix kit installed. That's why I offer the OEM valve covers on the cruzekits site instead of just reselling the aluminum ones. I could make a bigger profit on valve covers if I resold the aluminum ones. They're only $36 on alibaba... Aluminum Camshaft Engine Valve Cover For Chevy Cruze Sonic Buick 1.4l 25198498,25198874,55573746 - Buy 25198498,Cam Cover,Cam Rocker Cover Product on Alibaba.com

baltimorewill2011 · May 9, 2024

Remember Cruze 1.4 turbo does not use an oil catcher stock valve cover does this Will the aftermarket covers work as well ? Putting in an oil catch can too? My cruze with 120k looked like like the OEM cover. Only the PCV valve diaphragm was bad , and failure was from the 1 way valve that got sucked away into the intake manifold. At 150k no issues with the PCV valve bypass kit nor any of the OEM cover, 1 way valve on turbo.

PCV Fix Kit V3.4

CherylCruze

thebac

snowwy66

CherylCruze

CherylCruze

thebac

XtremeRevolution

ben.wilkins918

CherylCruze

ben.wilkins918

CherylCruze

ben.wilkins918

CherylCruze

ForgedCrank

XtremeRevolution

ForgedCrank

Wyre

baltimorewill2011

XtremeRevolution

baltimorewill2011

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