Tech 101: Venting Crankcase Pressure

By Jeff Smith

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April 5, 2026If you see the dip stick pushed out of its tube even after a short time running the engine, this is an indication that there is excess pressure building in the crankcase. This could be because the PCV is not functioning properly or is plugged. The advantage of a PCV valve in any street engine is that it pulls a slight amount of vacuum in the crankcase, which lowers internal engine pressure and contributes to reducing oil leaks. Valve cover vents do not necessarily reduce pressure in the lower portion of the engine. We’ve discovered that the dual flow, adjustable M/E Wagner billet PCV can contribute to reducing oil leaks by lowering pressure in the crankcase. You can obtain an adjustable PCV valve through MEWagner.com