02 Camry PCV valve and breather tube oil leak

Maintenance/Repairs
1

As I was replacing a valve cover gasket on my 2002 2.4l 4 cylinder Toyota Camry with 260k miles, I noticed a small amount of oil coming from the PCV valve. It’s probably the original valve and it was very clogged. I will be replacing it. But I also noticed oil in my breather tube, or the tube that connects to the air box (I think it’s called a breather tube?).

Can a clogged PCV valve cause oil to accumulate in that breather hose? Or are we more than likely looking at blow by. Engine runs very well for the miles overall.

Now, could a clogged PCV valve be the cause of oil also in that breather tube? Or are we looking at blow by being more likely? Older engine but it doesn’t skip a beat as far as I can tell.

Thanks team.

2

It could be the PCV valve causing the oil… a leaking PCV. Could be the engine’s age, too. Just keep an eye on it.

3

The PCV valve is what regulates the amount of flow through the crank-case ventilation path. there’s supposed to be little to no flow at idle, then more within increasing rpm. With situation you describe, everything is 20 years old, suggest to just replace PCV valve with a new one, and also replace the PCV vent hose. If unable to obtain replacement vent hose, cleaning the oil out of the existing one would probably be ok. Provided it has no signs of rubber deterioration, cracking, etc. that hose must be air-tight, otherwise risk vacuum leak and poor idle.