Crankcase Function
A crankcase is the housing for the crankshaft in the internal combustion engine of a vehicle. In most engines in modern cars today, the crankcase is usually integrated within the engine block. Two-stroke engines usually utilize a crankcase-compression design, causing the fuel and air mixture to pass through the resulting crankcase before entering the engine cylinders.
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This design of the particular engine means that there is no oil sump within the crankcase or the crankcase pressure sensor.
The crankcase usually forms the lower half of the main bearing journals in a vehicle, with the bearing caps completing the other half. Within the crankcase, you have the crankcase pressure sensor. The main bearing journals that hold the crankcase are the bearings that hold the crankshaft in place and allow it to rotate within the engine.
Let’s see what role the internal combustion engine plays in the performance of the crankcase pressure sensor.
Internal Combustion Engine
Two-Stroke Engine
The two-stroke engine is a type of internal combustion engine that completes a power cycle with two strokes of the piston only during one crankshaft revolution. The cylinders receiving the fuel and air mixture through the crankcase pressure sensor are the space in which the engine piston travels.
Four-Stroke Engine
There is generally an oil sump at the bottom of the crankcase in a four-stroke engine, and the majority of the oil within the engine is held within this space in the crankcase, which contains the crankcase pressure sensor. The fuel and air mixture does not go through the crankcase, however, in the four-stroke engine.
The only amount of exhaust gasses that enter the crankcase pressure sensor within this four-stroke engine only comes through blow-by from the combustion chamber.
Combustion Chamber
The combustion chamber is a part of the internal combustion engine that houses where the fuel and air mixture is burned. In this space within the engine, the fuel, air, pressure, and electricity all mix together to create the explosion that powers the car’s pistons, causing them to move up and down, generating the power needed to move the car forwards or backward.
Crankcase Ventilation System Function
In an internal combustion engine, the crankcase ventilation system removes any unnecessary gases or the prevalence of too much gas for the crankcase, thereby saving the crankcase pressure sensor from misreadings. The system usually consists of one tube, a one-way valve, and a vacuum source, like the intake manifold. The intake manifold is the part of the engine in your car that supplies the fuel and air mixture to the cylinders within the engine.
Blow-By Gases
These unwanted gases, also called “blow-by,” are gases from the combustion chamber leaked past the piston rings. Piston rings are rings attached to the piston’s outer part in an internal combustion engine and seal the combustion chamber to prevent a loss of gases to the crankcase and prevent any misreadings by the crankcase pressure sensor.
PCV System
Positive crankcase ventilation systems, also known as PCV systems, were first used in modern engines, sending the crankcase gases back to the combustion chamber to reduce air pollution and increase fuel efficiency.
This positive crankcase ventilation system utilizes a PCV valve. This valve allows the intake manifold vacuum to be applied to the crankcase and the crankcase pressure sensor. The manifold vacuum is the internal combustion engine’s difference between the engine intake and the earth’s air.
Gets Rid of By Product Gases
The airflow through the crankcase and the engine gets rid of any byproduct gases and additional gases that are not needed within the crankcase or the engine. In some PCV systems, the oil baffling occurs in an engine place called the oil separator.
The opening of the PCV valve during conditions where there is a greater flow rate of intake air, adding blow-by gasses to the intake system, allows the crankcase and the crankcase pressure sensor to draw the gases away from the intake.
Prevents Positive Pressure
The second function of the PCV is to prevent positive pressure from inside the intake system from entering the crankcase. This can happen when a backfire takes place and prevents the pressure from reaching the crankcase and the crankcase pressure sensor.
P05IB Code for Crankcase Pressure Sensor
Regarding the crankcase pressure sensor, there is a certain code that it can pertain to and directly influence, deciding whether or not it comes to aim a vehicle and causing the issues that can turn the code on in the first place. This is one of the most frequent OBD-II trouble codes.
The crankcase pressure sensor can cause this common trouble code to come on in your vehicle. You will often see this trouble code appear on Ford cars, Dodge, Ra, Jeep. Fiat, and other similar vehicle makers.
What are Trouble Codes?
To understand why this trouble code might appear, we must know why and how trouble codes work. Your vehicle has dozens of sensors that are connected to the electronic control module. This module, or the ECM, is the computer of the car, monitoring all of the engine functions to keep things running smoothly and functioning well in your car.
The crankcase pressure sensor provides the electronic control module with the right data to keep it working at the right level within the engine crankcase. Since engines produce fumes during a car’s normal running, the electronic control module must obtain an accurate crankcase pressure value and receive one from the crankcase pressure sensor.
This correct reading and data given can ensure that the pressure does not worsen and damage the seals and gaskets. Correct data is also crucial for recycling the fumes back into the engine using the positive crankcase ventilation system. The recycling of fumes all depends on the proper working of the crankcase pressure sensor and the status of the crankcase.
The fumes from the crankcase that are not used or utilized by fuel in the engine can get directed back to the intake valve for the engine to use and burn away doing other activities. This efficiency function ensures that the emissions are not wasted, and the fuel economy is the highest it can be. The crankcase pressure sensor increases the fuel economy of your vehicle by making sure nothing gets wasted.
Causes of the P05IB Code
Now that we know this, we must know why the code appears. The P05IB crankcase pressure sensor circuit range and performance codes turn on by the electronic control module. This occurs when the electronic control module measures one or many of the electrical values outside the correct operating range.
When it notices these discrepancies, it shows an issue from the crankcase pressure sensor, where the values are originating from.
Once the electronic control module notices the crankcase pressure sensor is working incorrectly, this illuminates the check engine light and requires your vehicle to be checked as soon as possible.
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Electrical Issues
Some causes of the P05IB code in your car from the crankcase pressure sensor is that the CCPS has an internal electrical issue or the ECM issues a code for the positive crankcase ventilation as defective. The positive crankcase ventilation involves recycling gases through a valve, the PCV valve, to the intake manifold. Once they are here, they are transferred to the cylinders for another chance at engine combustion.
It isn’t the best to have these gases held in the cylinders since they might be mostly air and the mixture might be too lean, and might not create effective combustion.
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Damage to the PCV
In addition, another cause of the code that shows the issues with the crankcase pressure sensor is physical damage to the PCV, such as broken runners, damaged tubes, disconnected tubes, or chafed lines.
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Clogged PCV System
Furthermore, a clogged PCV system, with tubes containing thick oil, carbon buildup, or too much moisture or condensation in the crankcase can cause issues with the crankcase pressure sensor.
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Water Intrusion
Lastly, a crankcase pressure sensor can be influenced by a water intrusion within the crankcase or your engine being filled too much with oil.
Symptoms of a Damaged Crankcase Pressure Sensor
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Reduced Fuel Economy
First, your gas mileage is lower than usual. Reduced gas mileage means that you will not drive the same amount in your car with an equal amount of gas. The fuel economy will be lower, and your car efficiency will decline.
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Gasket Leaks
Second, there might be gasket leaks. A head gasket leak can cause numerous problems with your car, with the biggest problem being a loss of coolant with your vehicle, causing water and pressure to erode your head and engine block’s metal.
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Fuel Smell
Third, there might be a strong smell of fuel and oil in the exhaust. Drivers will be able to notice this classic symptom and be able to tell there is something wrong right away when you smell this. In addition, the check engine light might be illuminated – this is a sign that you need to get your car checked right away. However, this can be due to your vehicle’s various reasons, ranging from very serious to menial.
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Rough Engine Idling
Fourth, your engine will not run smoothly, and there will be rough engine idling in your car. There are many reasons for a rough idle that can show why your crankcase pressure sensor is not working well. Some byproducts of a rough idle are dirty fuel injectors, clogged air filters with debris, bad spark plugs or damaged plugs, and various other exhaust issues with your vehicle.
Causes of Rough Idle
Damaged Spark Plugs – A rough engine idle can result from faulty spark plugs or damaged spark plug wires. Spark plugs use the ignition coils’ electrical current to ignite the air’s correct ratio to fuel mixture within the engine’s combustion chamber. A plug that has become damaged over time can result in the fuel being burned at an improper rate.
Dirty Fuel Injector – Sometimes, the dirty parts that have accumulated debris in the engine of your car can also be the main cause of the rough idling engine. Fuel injectors disperse and transport fuel into your car’s engine at the right angle and in the right amount to fuel the car, ensuring optimal performance and presenting rough idle.
Carburetor Issues – Older vehicles that use a carburetor instead of a fuel injector can cause the rough engine idle. Black exhaust smoke is usually a strong indicator of an issue with the carburetor. A carbureted system that is running smoothly shouldn’t produce too much excessive black smoke, so if this is the case, this is wrong.
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Sludge-Like Engine Oil
In addition, your engine oil might be sludgy and thick, containing debris and another carbon buildup, instead of smooth and free-flowing. Thick engine oil can cause the pressure sensor issues and be one of the main symptoms that the crankcase pressure sensor is damaged.
Crankcase Pressure Sensor Replacement Cost
Regarding the crankcase vent filter replacement, there are a few different key models for which we have pulled prices to give you a good idea of how much you will spend on this repair and fix.
For the 2007 BMW Z4, the replacement total cost is $195, including around $88 for the total parts and $80 for labor. The next cheapest option is the 2014 Infiniti WX70, with the total cost being just slightly more at $195.69, with the parts costing just over $88 and the labor costing $80.
The more expensive crankcase vent replacement costs are the 2010 Dodge Caliber and the 2008 Dodge Viper, both coming in at almost $210, with the parts cost of just over $102 and the labor costing $80.
Conclusion
Figuring out the causes and symptoms of a damaged crankcase pressure sensor can help you diagnose this issue before it gets any worse and causes an extremely high replacement cost!