Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

During Deceleration, Low Speed, and Idle

During engine deceleration and idle, manifold vacuum is high. The high vacuum overcomes the force of the PCV valve spring and the valve bottoms in the manifold end of the valve housing. This does not completely stop the flow of crankcase vapors into the intake manifold, but it does restrict them to a specified value for each engine.