Fix PCV with heater hose...not wise, not right!

Ok like I might have mentioned before, anytime I see something that needs to be addressed from my everyday experiences, I try to post about it as to attempt to help educate others.

Today I had a re-test vehicle in the shop, which failed for the PCV hose being disconnected and smoke pouring from the open end. Today upon re-inspecting the vehicle I found two problems. 1) Smoke was still making its way past the connection where the rubber hose and metal fitting came together (The hose being used is a fuz too big) and 2) The hose being used is heater hose.

Now I will admit that this will do the job, but it is not the recommended method of repair, nor is it accepted by the BAR. Because while the hose may route the crankcase gasses to the proper places, and not leak. The rubber is not made to handle the oil and other contaminants carried by the PCV gas. The oil and contaminants will break down the rubber in the heater hose at an accelerated rate, causing the hose to become gummy, and stretchy and will either collapse, tear or fall off. Not to mention it will seep oil slowly, and sometimes in enough quantity to create a mess in the engine bay.

Now there may be folks that wonder why its a big deal, there are alot of cars that inherently do not create alot of gasses, but on vehicles like Volkswagen, they create alot (who also make inherently crappy PCV hoses) Sorry VW, I love you like a brother from another mother but everybody has their fallacies. So if you were to spend any time near a broken PCV hose with the engine running on one of these cars, you would understand why they need to be maintained. (good luck with your headache)

Anyway just another splurge...and hopefully a helpful tip for preparing for a smog check!