I recently purchased a 1981 Monte Carlo with 43,000 original miles on it. The car was driven very little for short distances when driven at all (it was a "grandma car"). Overall, it runs great. The problem is that moisture accumulates in the air filter housing. I have to remove the breather element every two to three days to drain the lime-green fluid that has accumulated. I figured a trip to a major national parts store's service department might provide some solution. After I had spent $80 on an engine analysis and coolant-system test, the mechanic told me my computer works fine, there are no gasket leaks, and that I needed a "heat stove" installed. Is he right? And what is this heat-stove thing? -- Jim

Ray: Gee, Jim, it sounds to me like your crankcase ventilation system isn't working. If Grandma only used the car for short trips to the betting parlor and the cigar store, the PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) system could easily be all plugged up and caked with carbon.

Tom: That would leave the vapors in the crankcase with nowhere to go but up to the air cleaner. If you get the PCV system taken apart and cleaned out, I'll bet that green gunk disappears.

Ray: As for the heat stove, I believe that's something the FBI found in Ted Kaczynski's cabin in Montana.

Tom: Actually, the heat stove is the pipe that conveys hot air from the exhaust manifold to the air cleaner snorkel. It provides warm air to the engine when conditions outside are cold and damp. That prevents carburetor icing and helps the engine run better under those conditions.

Ray: And you may need a heat stove, Jim. But that's not going to solve your lime-ade problem. You'll need a PCV cleaning for that.

Tom and Ray share secrets mechanics don't want you to know in their pamphlet Ten Ways You May Be Ruining Your Car Without Even Knowing It! To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.

© 1996 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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