Internal combustion engine having a crankcase ventilation device, and method for monitoring a crankcase ventilation device

A method for monitoring a crankcase ventilation device of an internal combustion engine having an intake air duct in which there is situated a compressor of an exhaust gas turbocharger or compressor, and, downstream from the compressor, a throttle valve, the crankcase ventilation device having a ventilation duct connected to the crankcase of the internal combustion engine, in which there is situated a crankcase pressure regulating valve, the ventilation duct being divided, downstream from the crankcase pressure regulating valve, into two ventilation duct branches, a first ventilation duct branch being connected to the intake air duct at a point of connection upstream from the compressor, and a second ventilation duct branch being connected to the intake air duct at a point of connection downstream from the throttle valve, and a respective check valve being situated in each ventilation duct branch, wherein the method comprises:

• measuring a pressure difference between the pressure in the crankcase or in the ventilation duct upstream from the crankcase pressure regulating valve on the one hand and the pressure in the ventilation duct downstream from the crankcase pressure regulating valve on the other hand,
• evaluating the measured pressure difference for the presence of a correct or incorrect functioning of the crankcase ventilation device, and,
• outputting a corresponding item of information.