FE290 ENGINE
Cylinder Head
2000 FE290 Gasoline Vehicle Maintenance and Service Supplement Page 13-11
13
BREATHER VALVE (REED VALVE)
General Information
The function of the breather is to create a vacuum in the crankcase which prevents oil from being forced out
of the engine through the piston rings, oil seals or gaskets.
The breather has a reed valve which limits the direction of air flow caused by the piston moving up and down.
Air can flow out of the crankcase, but the one-way reed valve blocks return flow. It thus maintains a vacuum in
the crankcase.
Oil laden air in the crankcase passes through the reed valve and expands into the rocker chamber. In the
rocker chamber most oil separates from the air and drains back to the crankcase. The air passes through a
tube and vents to the intake manifold.
Breather Valve (Reed Valve) Removal
1. Unscrew the mounting screw (1) and remove the back plate (2) and reed valve (3) (Figure 13-15,
Page 13-12). See Page 13-21 for Installation.
Figure 13-13 Valve Removal
Figure 13-14 Spring Seat Removal
Figure 13-15 Reed Valve
Figure 13-16 Combustion Chamber
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PADDING
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