PCV Problem
 

Hey guys! I have a little problem and I know you guys have way more knowledge than me about this stuff, so I figured I'd ask you guys!

As part of the normal maintenance, I checked my PCV valve a few days ago. It was pretty disgusting to say the least.

Here is what it looked like:

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/...psa12823d2.jpg

Amazingly, it still rattled inside. For $6, though, I decided to just buy a new one, because even though it may have rattled, who knows what else could have been wrong. Plus I noticed a problem before I actually took it off, so I figured a new one could fix it. I was wrong. After replacing the valve with a new one, it still did the same thing. Here's the issue: I have read all over the place and seen a friend do this: take the PCV hose off and with the car running, you should feel a slight vacuum, where your hand or a piece of paper will press up against the valve. Instead of that happening, my car just plain doesn't start. Here's a video of what I'm talking about. In case it helps, the brass thing on the side of the engine block is the PCV valve. I tried starting it twice in the video. (You have to click the pic, to get to the vid)

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/...ps404a8db9.jpg

When I put the hose back on, everything goes back to "normal". At least, the car starts and drives.

Any ideas on what might be causing this and if it might be causing me problems (like drive-ability, fuel economy, etc.)? If the valve was that bad, does that mean the inside is like that too, which is why it would be causing me a problem? I would think if that were the case, it would do the same thing with the hose on.

Thoughts?

postive crankcase ventilation valve are one way valves that relay on vacuum; the only place you should feel vacuum is from the hose connected to it.

Some cars are very strange about vacuum leaks. A Saab 900 won't start if you leave the oil filler cap off. As a general rule don't run a car without vacuum line or things plugged in. Especially newer CAN cars. Some fault codes cannot be cleared without a real tool. Or battery disconnect or pull fuse doesn't work.

i dont think its a valid test anyway but
make sure the hose for the pcv is connected and the pcv is in the hose.
typically the pcv is going to be fed manifold vacuum, and a large enough feed that if left unrestricted, is a large enough vacuum leak to cause many vehicles to not start