Why would a breather hose swell?

rickp78 · Mar 15th, 2013, 20:18

Hi,

Not actually an issue with a Volvo, but my Brother's 2009 1.2 Corsa has a severly swelled breather hose (the right hand pipe on the photo). Anyone any ideas what could cause this? I have heard there could be a faulty valve that could cause this or possibly a blocked pipe? Otherwise there could be possibly worse things that could cause excessive pressure such as head gasket failure or issues with piston rings etc?

Just wondering if anyone has any ideas on this please? I've not seen the car myself in this condition, but I understand it is down on power and there are no warning lights displayed.

Thanks,

Richard

stephend · Mar 15th, 2013, 20:28

You'd need to get some vehicle-specific info about this one to be sure, but it's common for breather systems to have valves or filters which get neglected and clog up, so you might start by checking this. If the engine is breathing heavily, it's probably more likely to clog up the breather system, as the fumes condense in the constricted bit and start to build up a layer of crud. And if the engine is breathing heavily, worn piston rings and/or worn bores would be the likely culprits.

The car's not very old. Has it got very high miles, and/or has it been poorly maintained? If not, it shouldn't really have heavy wear - so something blocked in the breather system would be the most likely explanation, I'd have thought.

DaveNP · Mar 15th, 2013, 20:46

Is it a proper breather hose? It will be exposed to hot oil vapours , if it's not the right type (eg a water hose) then the rubber softens and swells.

mattievrs · Mar 15th, 2013, 21:29

Being an ex vaux corsa owner id say its a blocked breather hose full of oil vapour and crusty black residue. Get a new hose and itll be fine.

reggit · Mar 15th, 2013, 21:31

Have you/your brother taken the hose off to see what's happening inside it?

It's definitely a breather, I've had a corsa previously, however my 9 year old one (at the time) looked a lot better than that one, but was gunked up if i remember..

rickp78 · Mar 15th, 2013, 21:43

Thanks for all your responses. Neither of us have pulled off the hose. I think he is taking to a garage tomorrow for someone to have a look, but he wanted a bit of general advice as to what it could be. The car is not high mileage and been regularly serviced. Hopefully just a blockage! I'll report back on the outcome.

Thanks again,

Richard

rickp78 · Mar 19th, 2013, 22:07

Hi,

It was indeed a blocked breather hose so they cleaned/flushed the system through, fitted a new hose and did an oil and filter changed and all working well! I wonder why this seems to be a fairly common thing on these engines?

Thanks all again for your help.

Richard

Mar 15th, 2013, 20:28	#2
stephend Premier Member Last Online: Dec 23rd, 2023 21:20 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: S. Wales View Photos By: stephend	You'd need to get some vehicle-specific info about this one to be sure, but it's common for breather systems to have valves or filters which get neglected and clog up, so you might start by checking this. If the engine is breathing heavily, it's probably more likely to clog up the breather system, as the fumes condense in the constricted bit and start to build up a layer of crud. And if the engine is breathing heavily, worn piston rings and/or worn bores would be the likely culprits. The car's not very old. Has it got very high miles, and/or has it been poorly maintained? If not, it shouldn't really have heavy wear - so something blocked in the breather system would be the most likely explanation, I'd have thought. __________________ 1989 740 GL 2.0 estate 2000 V40 2.0 (gone) 2005 Toyota Avensis 2.0 estate (gone) 2012 Ford Mondeo 2.2 TDCi estate 1999 Land Rover Discovery 2 TD5

Mar 15th, 2013, 20:46	#3
DaveNP Non VOC Member Last Online: Yesterday 18:42 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Milton Keynes	Is it a proper breather hose? It will be exposed to hot oil vapours , if it's not the right type (eg a water hose) then the rubber softens and swells. __________________ David V70 2.5 10v Torslanda Manual 98 Sreg

Mar 15th, 2013, 21:31	#5
reggit Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 05:36 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Preston	Have you/your brother taken the hose off to see what's happening inside it? It's definitely a breather, I've had a corsa previously, however my 9 year old one (at the time) looked a lot better than that one, but was gunked up if i remember.. __________________ 2009 Volvo V70 D5 (Polestar 225bhp) r-design 180,000 miles Last edited by reggit; Mar 15th, 2013 at 21:33.

Mar 15th, 2013, 21:43	#6
rickp78 Member Last Online: Oct 21st, 2019 13:10 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Here	Thanks for all your responses. Neither of us have pulled off the hose. I think he is taking to a garage tomorrow for someone to have a look, but he wanted a bit of general advice as to what it could be. The car is not high mileage and been regularly serviced. Hopefully just a blockage! I'll report back on the outcome. Thanks again, Richard Last edited by rickp78; Mar 15th, 2013 at 21:48.

Mar 15th, 2013, 21:29	#4
mattievrs Master Member Last Online: Sep 3rd, 2020 12:03 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Leicester	Being an ex vaux corsa owner id say its a blocked breather hose full of oil vapour and crusty black residue. Get a new hose and itll be fine.

Mar 19th, 2013, 22:07	#7
rickp78 Member Last Online: Oct 21st, 2019 13:10 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Here	Hi, It was indeed a blocked breather hose so they cleaned/flushed the system through, fitted a new hose and did an oil and filter changed and all working well! I wonder why this seems to be a fairly common thing on these engines? Thanks all again for your help. Richard

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)