1.4 PCV Issue on Road Trip - Damage if we drive?

[cadman]

Hey guys, 2012 Sonic, 1.4 6-speed, 130k.
A few weeks ago we had a rough idle, no CEL, the issue disappeared later that day.

Now we’re on a road trip and got a CEL and rough idle after a very low speed stall today (think releasing clutch prematurely at key-off). We’re pulling vacuum at the valve cover rupture disc, which creates what I’d describe as a belt squeal if I momentarily hold a finger over it.

We had a similar rough idle issue 50k ago and I replaced the valve cover at that time, though I don’t recall a squeal.

We’ve got around 350 miles to home tomorrow and I’m wondering if I’ll cause permanent damage driving it this way. It’s not down on power at all. Oil level is fine. Thoughts?

 

[JTee2017]

Go to Walgreens, buy some "band aids" with the perforated holes over the center white gauze bandage.
Apply it over the rupture disc.
It will allow some air flow, but restrict and filter any air leak.
May have to replace the band aid a few times during the drive

It's worth a try . . .

 

[cadman]

Well, the good news is we made it without any apparent damage. Hope the crank seal holds out... Just checked my records and I replaced the valve cover in June of 2018, and the crank seal required replacement in April of 2019. Starting the tear-down now; I'll create a separate thread.

 

[melk]

Glad to hear you made it home with no apparent issues. Curious to see what you find.

There is a corresponding little bit of plastic in the intake manifold that also works in conjunction with the pcv on the valve cover. The recommended fix is to replace both. Get to swap out an entire intake manifold because a little plastic T the size of your fingernail gets dislodged/missing. Brilliant