Make your own PCV catch can out of PVC
Aftermarket PCV Modification
Intermittent Wipers installation
PVC PCV Catch Can
This won't be one of my best DIYs simply because I didn't take pictures while I made it. You should be able to get the gist of it enough so that you too can make a PVC PCV System Catch Can! :D
Things You'll Need:
Х (QTY 1) 1 1/2" (or 2") PVC pipe (I bought a pre-cut 2' section from Home Depot)
Х (QTY 1) 1 1/2" NON-Threaded Cap (2" if you are using 2" PVC)
Х (QTY 1) 1 1/2" THREADED cap (2" if you are using 2" PVC)
Х (QTY 1) 1 1/2" Male Threaded End (2" if you.... oh you get the idea by now about the 2" stuff)
Х (QTY 2) 1/4" NPT (Male) Barbed ports (air compressor fittings)
Х (QTY 2) 1/4" NPT (female) to BSPT (Male) 90░ adapter (Can't find a picture yet)
Х PVC cleaner and glue
Х Drill and drill bits
Х 3/8" Fuel/Emission hose ~3'
Х JB weld
Х (QTY 1) Stainless steel scrub pad
What To Do:
Cut your section of PVC pipe down to about 9"
Clean and glue on the NON-Threaded cap to one end and the threaded end on the other end of the cut pipe:
Drill two holes in the threaded cap just large enough to screw in the 90░ adapters, then screw in the barbed fittings:
Cut a chunk of the rest of the PVC pipe off that is roughly 1" wide and 3" long. JB weld it in between the fittings inside the threaded cap:
(This serves to divert the incoming air so the stainless steel scrub pad has a chance to help remove the oil droplets as well as helping to hold the brass fittings in place)
Let the JB Weld setup
Paint the Catch Can (optional):
Install hoses and place the entire scrub pad down into the tube assembly you made earlier:
Install in a high point (higher than the engine block) in the engine compartment (I zip tied mine up next to the brake master cylinder for now):
Not the Best DIY but it was cheap as I had the JB weld and PVC cleaner and glue already. The PVC components were less than $6.
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Aftermarket PCV back to OEM VX PCV
This is a DIY that is meant for the VX crowd that doesn't have the OEM PCV "Elbow" and want theirs to be like the stock one again. Honda doesn't sell the OEM one anymore.
A little background:
The OEM PCV (Positive Crank Vent/Valve) is no more than an emissions elbow with no internals inside it. Most of the previous owners of the VX have had theirs replaced and since the VX is such an odd car, the replacement part is actually a normal PCV. The usual test to see if a PCV is good is to remove it from the car and give it a shake. If it makes a clicking noise, it's still good. If it makes no noise, it's bad. Since the OEM one has no internals, it makes no noise and the mechanic/person will replace it.
On to the DIY:
Things you need:
- PCV (I'm using the "blue" aftermarket replacement one from Fram)
- Sharp utility knife or hacksaw
- About ten minutes of time
So you have your PCV
You'll want to secure your PCV and start cutting just above the tip. If you look inside the small hole on the PCV you'll see the plastic tip is about an 1/8th of an inch thick. Cut right where you see the saw placed in the picture you'll cut just above that thick part and things will work out great.
Once you've cut off the tip, it should look like this
Now gently turn the PCV so the black part is pointing down and the plunger and first spring will slide out like so
There is one more spring to get out of the PCV, it is the small one in the picture. You should be able to tap the PCV a few times with the black end pointing down and the small spring should pop out.
The PCV should now be free of all internals
Now you can clean off any strands and debris from the modified PCV.
Install the modified PCV back into the car and enjoy the sense of accomplishment.
Theory:
I believe the reason that Honda set up the PCV system on the VX like this was to run a higher vacuum on the lower end of the motor. This helps to combat pumping loses in lower RPMs.
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Intermittent Wipers
Here's my attempt at a How-To for those owners of the Honda Civic CX/VX that want intermittent wipers.
Parts Needed:
-ICU (Integrated Control Unit) from a DX/EX model Civic
-Intermittent wiper stalk from a DX/EX coupe (since the CX/VX doesn't have the rear wiper)
*DISCLAIMER*
Attempt this modification at your own risk. I will not be held responsible if you hurt or kill yourself doing this. While this a simple process, anytime you mess with electricity and airbags, you must be careful. *DISCLAIMER*
First, as always, disconnect the negative battery cable under the hood.
Remove the lower dash cover from under the steering column to reveal the fuse box. Do this by removing the three Phillip head screws indicated by red circles.
Remove the 10mm bolts (circled in red) on each side.
Disconnect the connectors as shown. (this can be optional depending on the flexibility of the wiring harness)
Gently, rotate the fuse box so you can gain access to the back of it. Remove the connector shown on the far left of the picture below.
Rotate the fuse box around a little more and remove the ICU from the back of the fuse box. You have to pry on either side to get it to come loose. It is easier if you pry from the end opposite the connector you removed earlier.
Installation of the intermittent ICU is reverse of removal.
You can now put the fuse block back together and re-install the lower dash cover.
Now you can remove the lower steering column cover by removing the three highlighted screws and pulling down the lower cover. Be sure to pull the right side out to clear the ignition cylinder. This will pop apart the top and lower column cover.
Turn the steering wheel clockwise 90 degrees to expose the two screws holding on the wiper stalk. Unscrew the two highlighted screws.
Slide out the wiper stalk and unplug the harness on the back. Then install the intermittent stalk in the reverse order.
Put the covers back on in the reverse order and you're set to enjoy intermittent wipers!
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