Chevy Cruze Sonic Trax Encore 1.4L Turbo PCV Issues, Diagnosis, and Solutions 

Cannot thank you enough for walking through the various components of the PCV system. This allowed me to properly diagnose and repair the PCV system. It also saved me from spending additional money on the intake manifold that wasn’t needed…yet. I did need to run the car for quite a while (at least 30 minutes) after the repair to get all of the accumulated oil in the intake manifold driven out. I was overjoyed when the last bit of blue smoke stopped and the little engine got back to normal. She purrs like a kitten and pulls right up the hills better than she has for a while.

Thankfully you have found it necessary to share your great knowledge about this vehicle. Keep up the good work young man.

I spent countless hours trying stop the oil leak from around the valve cover. Saw your video, ordered the intake manifold and installed it. No more leaks!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to make the video. Truly helped. Now I’m searching how to remove oil stains from driveway..lol. Thanks again!!

That's a brilliant explanation, and your website explains it even better. I find it frustrating that mechanics don't think first about how these systems work, since understanding is necessary before one has any hope of fixing things properly. Matching blowby gas flow through a PCV with the dramatically variable intake vacuum of a turbo is a huge challenge. So, I guess we shouldn't be surprised this system is much more complex than a simple captive ball and spring.

Man I wish more mechanics were as knowledgeable as you appear to be. Would have saved me loads of money over the years. I’ve found RU-vid and doing it yourself saves time and money and even the hassle. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Subscribed and liked

You are so great!!! A lot of people out there totally have no idea about that "vacum control membrane" and they call it PCV valve.. Actually i'm a physician but i have interest in automotive. I have 2008 chevrolet captiva and i dissasembly that "the so called pcv valve" and totally confuse about the name of "positive crankcase valve" becoz on that valve construction i bet it is not regulated by positive pressure, but the valve/membrane will actually move by negative pressure. Then i found your video and you make it very clear that it actually a vacum control membrane!!! Thanks again 👍👍👍

I don't even own this car. I don't even know why I am watching this. But I learned a lot and I am a huge fan of the way you do videos. Very well done.

Thanks 😊 I bought your kit and installed it and then changed the valve cover with the OEM one over a year ago and its still working great 👍

Hi, thanks for inventing the kit. I just bought a 2011 Chevy Cruze Eco and ordered your kit already. I hope it works well because I want to make this car my daily driver.

Hands down, Andrei creates the best DIY repair tutorials for the Chevy Cruze. His step-by-step instruction guides include pics, which virtually eliminates the need to take pics as you go along (although I recommend you do anyway). And his work-around kit for the POS OEM PCV system is ingenious and affordably priced. I feel like I owe him more money for making this so simple and affordable. Thanks, Andrei.

Thank you this video has saving me so much!

This is one of the only videos on RU-vid that explains and fixes the problem correctly. I can't believe how many other video of "mechanics" not correctly fixing this problem. Thank you for all you have done for us fellow Cruze members. I will be buying your newest pcv fix kit. Thanks again

I heard this today. "Vehicles nowadays can surf the web, stream videos, navigate and pinpoint a location in a map, but can't tell you why their check engine light is on." How ironic is that?

finally the info I needed. Thank you sir!

You make fantastic to the point vids, very very helpful.

Your description was text book. Had a problem that cost me a good chunk of change. I wish i had seen this video ages ago

Thank you so much for this video and your kit! I will buying one ASAP!

Thank you Dre Dan! I was leaking oil from the throttle body on 2012 cruze lt. Didn't see a nipple after removing corrugated hose. Sure enough the orange check valve was missing after taking the intake manifold off. Huuuge thanks for all the info on cruzetalk and here.

Thank you for having an explanation for this. I’ve been troubleshooting for months for a “squeaky noise” from my engine bay. Finally figured it out. Thank you again!

you explained that as well as anyone ive seen thanks.. im need to do the bypass kit so ill be ordering it soon

Excellent informative vid, just shit that the valves are part of large expensive components.

Thank you, you just save me over $500 my encore has hissing so it’s only value cover replacement, greatly appreciate you posting this video and I will buy that kit you make if manifold ever fails.

Impressive! Very detailed and educational. Phenomenal job!

Great video brother. . . Straight to the point very knowledgeable and thorough THANKS 💪💯

Nice video. I really never wanted to learn about the PCV system but I guess it's my time.

45,000 miles, and now it's squealing like a pig. Glad this vid was here. Repairing this weekend.

Amazing info, just replaced that valve cover in my automotive class

This is super helpful. Thank you for making this.

241,000 miles on my cruze. I just had the water pump replaced today, 2nd time in doing this.... I'm hopeful it will keep going other 50,000 miles.

Hello, and thanks much for this video and the kit you've designed... i will likely be ordering one of those shortly. My girlfriend has a Cruze, and the diaphragm on the valve cover is indeed failed and leaking vacuum.... it also sometimes makes a whostling sound that sounds like a belt squeal... when you plug the vent of the diaphragm on the valce cover it immediately makes this sound. I've diagnosed this to be vacuum leaking , and sucking air in around the crank seal. I am thinking that adding your kit, as well as a new valve cover, and possibly the hose and valve by the turbo inlet, will ALL be necessary, but I also think we should be replacing the crank seal as well....she will likely keep the car, or eventually give it to one of her kids , so I want to fix it right... Any further input or suggestions would be most appreciated. Thanks again for doing us all the service of making this video, and designing a kit to provide a metter solution than OEM part replacement....

Clear and detailed descriptioins. Great video!

Subscribed. Best mechanic video I've ever watched

Your video talked about the other end of the PCV hose at the turbo and a check valve there. Does that one go bad and ever need replaced? Next question: If the valve cover gasket goes bad, does this create a vacuum leak and cause poor performance? My Cruze gets random lifter noise that comes and goes. I checked the valve on the valve cover, but it wasn't blowing air. I replaced the valve cover gasket because it was leaking oil. Since then, I've had no issues.

Just wanted to give a big shout out "Thank you!" as I had several codes - everything you'd mentioned in your video! I was on the fence about selling my 2014 Chevy Cruze LT and finding one error after another pop up, but since it's paid for, I thought why not see about fix it permanently? And so, I came across your video and purchased your "GM 1.4L LUV/LUJ PCV Fix Kit V2" - kind of a h*ly sh*t moment after firing it up and running it with your kit on! It now runs like it did when I drove it off the dealership parking lot! Wow - just wow! Dre Dan's kit was the perfect fix for all my problems so at the very least, I thought I'd write you and again, say thank you! For a 100% failure rated part, the intake manifold with it's cheaply designed check valve...well, this is the way! It was also a good time to clean the throttle body and everything I had access to - a lot of built up crud as this was the first time having it apart since I bought it. This was surprisingly an easy job and your kit came with everything you need - was fun actually! Dre Dan, so glad I purchased your kit!

Compliments on a perfect tutorial ... theory and practice.

I had same issue with a sonic. only when i covered the diaphragm hole it started directing oil into the intake and then the car started smoking from the tailpipe like crazy. Thanks for the info will be ordering kits from you.

Dear Dre Dan, Thanks for your great videos, explanation and kits avaliable to get - it's great solution for this strange crankcase ventilation system from GM with this PCV Mushroom valve in the intake manifold at A14NET engine and similar. I wonder to know, why they don't use the same system which used at A16LET engine, where the PCV valve made externally, almost exactly how you made at your kits? It's rhetoric question ;) But what I really wonder to know and can't find relevant information concerning this issue - what if the ventilation system will only one way. I mean, if the mushroom valve hole will be plugged up in the intake manifold and only way of ventilation will be via corrugated hose to the the turbo charger. Such way will be completely identical to the default ventilation system during the boosted, loaded mode. But what will happen at the idle mode or mode with little load ? I suppose, that if it will be not enough air at the intake manifold for the stable engine operation the electronics will open the throttle valve a bit more to provide the enough air flow. Further the more air will be sucked from the turbo charger and from the corrugated hose connected to turbo inlet - so the crankcase ventilation will take place in this case as well. I am not completely confident in my thoughts concerning this crankcase ventilation as I am not specialist in it, but why double-way ventilation system needed, what is the benefit of it? Best, Igor

I regret getting this car

great quick explanation, keep it up

Informative video ..... thanks for the post

Dre Dan, Thanks for the video! Great explanation on the system. I have an oil leak somewhere between the charge line and throttlebody. Have you heard of this before?

Literally I was looking at the broken end of that corrugated hose in my hand thinking "wow that was smart" and in my Bluetooth headset I hear "now be careful just gets brittle over time". F this day.

Great video! very informative! Thank you

Good info,everything carefully examined.

I have 130,000 miles on my Cruze, I really can't complain about spending less than$100 on a cover and plugs. First world problem.

Code 299- turbo cracked, valve cover regulator leaking and most likely the pvc check valves- Do them all together! And get new oil return line with turbo.

Thank you for the great info.

Awesome explanation man. Thanks!

Chevy again 😒🤦🏾‍♂️ good concept but poor design.. if they had only made it non-integrated then it could be easily replaced.. good work around thou 😎💢👍🏾

I let them repo my 2012 back in 2014 ROFL. Stupid little short car.

Awesome video great information thanks man!

Best description so far. Concise.

So, basically GM is still building junk.

I have that problem now! And getting it fixed ! Thanks for the information! The parts are cheep but the labor is what is costly!

Great explanation, thank you!

This video is awesome

Great video. Thank you.

Great information thanks

Great video🤟

Wow that was a really thorough video thanks. Even provided a custom fix.

Great video man!!!

Dam bro great video great job

Love this video man that’s smart only video that’s helped me so far. If I replace the cover and check the for the nipple well it clear up most of the codes

Great job, concise and in depth. I haven't looked through all your videos but I was wondering if you made one for head gasket replacement for the same engine.

Well interesting solution. This kind of engine A14NET and NEL also use many Opel cars produced till 2016. (since then they are bought by PSA group, read Peugeot). So on many Astras, insignias there is this type of engine and guess what it has same problems. Actually opel has “membrane” problems even on older models, corsa and astra. Thank you for video, i subscribed and liked.

Awesome video. I do live the Cruze, the PCV issues are real though.

Dude you are a smart guy so many people explain shit in so many different ways and confuse the hell out of people this is a good explanation i broke the pvc hose when replacing the turbo charger and dont know whete the to small hoses on the pcv tube connect to cant find it anywhere can i send you a picture so you know what I am talking about my car euns like crap without those two hoses connected

Just installed it! Waiting for the JB weld to harden and will take her for a spin! Thanks for sharing your solution!

Thank you very importan information

Thanks for posting this. I have a 2013 Volt, which has the same engine just without the turbo. It wouldn't pass emissions nor would it set a check engine light. It was running just lean enough to not set O2 sensor readiness nor was it lean enough to set a check engine light because of the same exact leak in the valve cover.

This system I tested. Unfortunately for my daughter's car, her Cruze was pulling coolant into the #1 cylinder. I was hoping this was the answer but didn't fit all the symptoms. But very informative video.

Great video! Very informative!👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

Man this was an outstanding video and explanation of a system I was really unfamiliar with! Also I kept calling it the PCV, I stand corrected haha! I definitely need to buy this kit and or replace my Intake manifold. I’m on my 5th valve cover with not knowing why the diaphragm keeps tearing. Has your kit proved beneficial? Much thanks again!!!

The Dr is in!! My man, thank you so dearly for this video. You have just saved me so much money and heartache. You have a Sub for life. I will be ordering a kit tomorrow, when I get paid. How long should I expect it to take to get to Indiana?

This is an awesome video. I have a few codes being thrown. Can you tell me anything specific based on the combination of codes? I have the following codes P0171, P0299, Possibly related P1101, P2270. Do these codes help narrow down possible causes or do they indicate more issues?

I bought the dorman intake manifold and also the valve conver, the car now started acting weird and its leaking oil from the valve cover. I took it to the mechanic and he inspected it for a couple hours , replaced the pvc hose, the map sensor, the intake manifold sensor and still the same problem. He says that the engine is not receiving the needed air. What could possibly be the issue? Thank you

Any ideas why I have oil pushing out of the last pcv valve? Already replaced the intake.

Currently working to be ridd of my 2015 Cruz LT, less than 97,400 miles and still under warranty but constantly denied any warranty coverage. Also, learned yesterday when the mechanic was on the phone with the warranty department, this car was sold to me without informing me of the recall that is ongoing. It's sitting in my driveway after being towed home yesterday because I refuse to sink another penny in this money pit. As of last week, I've had the pos 20 months; its broke down a 4th time. And this time, the issue is the same as the first time it broke down. JUNK!

Do these failures occur or start to occur without throwing a code? If so, how do you diagnose it from instrumentation (e.g. turbo boost measurement) running an OBD device? I've been having oddly rough performance and subpar gas mileage since my dealer's 50,000 mile service a few weeks ago, and there was a bit of questionable idling before that which I chalked up to my usual spring routine of having very little highway driving and not even all that much city driving that time of year. I had dealer replace fluids (radiator flush, transmission flush) and flagged to them the possibility of a PCV situation; they did not find anything wrong on the PCV but did see a plug not quite all the way screwed in (corrected) and a boot on a plug wire slightly corroded (replaced).

I have a diesel Cruze ( hopefully they're not susceptible to this failure.. ) but were it me, I'd put the check valve on the top side of the manifold. I deal with check valves all the time in my line of work, and they get bored and plug up at the worst possible time. When I say "top side" I'd just flip your hose / valve assembly end for end, so you can more easily reach the valve. I like your idea though, thanks for sharing!

My 19 Cruze LS has 30.6K. A perfect car with zero issues.

Great video and explanation i just replaced my valve cover also i know it will be soon( hopefully next week) and i will repair my pcv valve with your kit. thank you so much, what a panic situation wondering what it could be. i am curious.. what is the hose routing on top of the valve cover with brass connection for?

I’m currently experiencing this problem with my 2012 Cruz. Can you please reply with the link for your kit. I’m not able to find it within the comment section. Thank you for putting out the effort to help us Cruz owners.

Replaced my valve cover and saw the crankcase exit slots and entry hole we're pretty grimy with oil. All pictures I've seen are clean. Is this normal @ 95k miles?

Would this cause white smoke out the exhaust as well? I've got the p0171 p0106 p1101 codes and the disc thing on top of the valve cover is indeed sucking air and I cant see the orange nipple in the intake manifold. I wasn't concerned about it until I noticed it's white smoking but it doesn't smell like oil or coolant. Just smells like regular exhaust fumes but is thick white clouds when first starting up then it eases off a little.

How does this work with the updated heated PCV system gm has been installing?

I got new turbo and oil cooler and got po299 after cleaning PVC bypass on intake. I thought kit would fix but it did solve my oil leak. Looks like I'm not the only one with 299, lol.

Is the valve cover gasket replaceable? Fixed a p0299 with a clip missing of the wastegate/disconnected. Now I have an oil leak. Replace the big hose with the two check valves because it broke when checking the little valve in the intake. Any thoughts would be great if you have the time. The oil leak wasn’t present prior to fixing the turbo clip. Thanks in advance.

What turbo waste gate solenoid do you have? Did u change just that or whole turbo???

Hello Dre Dan, i have a strange noise in my opel corsa with 1.4 turbo motor from 2014(its the same motor as in the cruze), when its warm an its no belt driven part - i checked it without the belt. I checked the PCV valve to the turbo, its switching when i blow in an suck there and i can see the nipple in the intake and the valve cover isnt sucking air. But i have the simmer ring squeeking when i shut off the engine and a noise like a sqeaking belt when its warm. Is it possible to have a higher underpressure on the enginge caused by the valve cover? I first want to change the simmerring but if its not the solution for it i maybe want to change the valve cover. What do you think? The next step could be an expensive change of the timing chain. Sorry for my bad english ;)

Impressive

So few questions. Whats is the difference between the V1 and V2 kit? Im assuming I want the V2 kit? Also PCV valve has likely gone bad on the 13 cruze, I just install this with the bad valve still there? Not all oil is filtered out, is there any negative effect on the brake booster from oil contamination? So this thing use to chirp but recently quit, now we have issues with it overheating with defrost (AC on) and high gen load (heated seats etc running) fans on..heat goes hot then cold speradically during driving....coolant is low...intake gasket or head gasket? Looking at your video. I am not seeing where antifreeze may slip by so im fearing head gasket. Last question. Smell exhaust fumes in vehicle from fan running, this related to the pcv valve as well. Many thanks!

Good job with the custom PCV. Hey I have been experiencing on occasion , gasoline vapors when at idle with heater fan on only. Have looked online , there were several other people with the same problem but nobody with an answer. I have found no gasoline leaking . I think it may have something to do with fuel vapor containment or recovery. I'm an old guy used to 1960's vehicles you know vented gas tanks and such. Maybe you have come across this problem. I have a 2012 Cruze ECO

I just got a new turbo put in my chevy Cruze and it's whistling now

Excelente explicación. Pienso que la válvula dentro del múltiple de admisión de mi Chevrolet Sonic RS 2013 1.4L esta atascada, pero no tengo la certeza. mi vehículo marca el código P1101. He reemplazado la tapa de punterías para descartar que el diafragma este averiado y revisando la válvula check en la manguera PCV hacia el turbo, encontré que el flujo de aire va en las dos direcciones, por lo que también reemplace esta manguera. Aun con esto mi vehículo sigue marcando el Código p1101. Observando por la toma del múltiple de admisión y después de limpiar con un poco de alcohol y un Isopo el área, se puede observar la pequeña protuberancia naranja, por lo que confirme que la valvula pcv sigue ahi. Pero supongo que esta atascada. mi vehículo no presenta ningún síntoma aparente, salvo el indicador de Check engine en el Tablero. También he notado un mayor consumo de combustible y ligeros restos de aceite dentro de cuerpo de aceleración. como puedo tener la certeza de que la valvula dentro del multiple de admision esta averiada o atascada? ya he encargado el kit de reparación para no tener que reemplazar todo el múltiple de admisión. pero si la valvula sigue adentro como la restrinjo? solo debo sacarla de su posicion para despues bloquear el paso de aire? un coordial saludo y gracias por tu video desde Tijuana B.C Mexico.

Hello my GF just bought a 2014 Cruze and it has those problems I got a new cover ordered, I'm a dirt track race car mechanic stock cars and modified's, not a lot of experience with turbo engines. Question could I delete to pcv with a breather filter or no being a turbocharged engine?

I saw the nipple in the intake. If the debris is there can it still fail and cause to much pressure to build up in the crankcase and cause an oil leak????

I have a 2011 Cruz. Did a leak down test and it leak at the back of manifold. Replaced it with new. The hose that goes from the intake to the turbo blows free one way and just a little air comes through the other way. Wondering if that is normal? Looked to see if i could can find the check valve in the intake. i saw something but not sure if its bad or not. Here's whats going on with the car. Taking off i get up to 3000RPM and the trans wants to down shift, If i get up to 3000 and let off the gas it shifts fine into the next gear. I've talked to others on different sights they say pcv problem. I also changed out the turbo. The scan tool code came up with bad turbo.. On all of the sights, I've haven't heard anything about shifting troubles and the pcv.

Would this problem result in coolant leak anywhere? Trying to determine if I'm having a head gasket problem. Thank you!

Will this issue cause excessive vacuum in the engine, while idling, the oil cap is sucked down and is like a shop vac when the hose is clogged and you pull the hose off, lol. I’ll order the kit, then I’ll need to replace the valve cover, correct?