PCV valve

[85stillalive]

yesterday i was cleaning oil and dirt off the valve cover and noticed a piece missing from the seal (the manual calls it a dust cover) to the PCV hose/valve (towards the rear of the cover) . so i pulled the hose and it came off with the plastic fitting attached and and something jumped out of there... i think it may have been a spring. there is still one spring in the hole which drops down into the valve cover and the hard plastic seal that i noticed was missing a chunk is still attached and does not want to move. if it was a spring in there.it has escaped and disappeared. in the manual it looks like the metal tube inside has wider flat end on one end (like a nail) but the one i saw yesterday on my van does not have that end. it sort of looks like there is another spring in there in the valve in the manual but i cant be sure. but the WORST part (i think) is i cant get the plastic fitting on the end of the hose.

has anyone ever pulled this apart and got it together? i tried for 2 hours last night with no progress!!! will continue today. i even tried putting some oil on ti to try and slip the top back on and looking in the manual right now i just read "petroleum substances inside the valve are harmful". now i think i am in real trouble. i drove it home last night and it was ok but it seemed to be backfiring a little.

any thoughts?

thanks, dave

[ninz30]

What color is the pcv? Toyota sells the pcv and rubber grommet for less than 15.00 ... I recently replaced my pcv and it fell apart as I was removing it. I believe it was aftermarket (the color was green) and toyotas part is a bronze color.

There is a spring inside the pcv, if the spring is outside of the pcv then you probably broke the pcv. If your hose is hardened and cracks at the ends, it may be time to replace the hose also. The hose from the pcv to intake manifold is fairly short and simple to replace.

[85stillalive]

its a light bronze color. i took a look on my other (dead) van and its pvc is green. well its good to know its replaceable.... i just phoned and theres one on stock at one of the local parts stores for $7!!!
i didnt even ask what brand but it will have to do for now.

the hose is still ok (no cracks).

how do you get the old one out? just pull?
i wondered if it was attached somehow from underneath the valve cover beacause it seemed like it was in there pretty tight. the hard plastic ring seems like it will just break if i do anything to it.

[JDM VANMAN]

There's also a thread that Tim (administrator) has done called "pics of my weekend project" that has a list of parts including the part numbers in thread number 15 if you ever get into a bind and aren't sure. I use that treats to replace at least 70% of the things listed. Also the search feature has help tremendously in diagnosing similar issues and some even tell how to do it.

Sorry i don't have the perfect diagnostic answer but some where in the forum it has been addressed.

[85stillalive]

thanks. i have visited that thread a number of times and upon revisiting i see the pcv valve is right at the top of the list.... andi have been using the search feature vigourously to try and diagnose!!! hopefully today i will get new plugs and wires, rotor and cap, TPS and ignition coil installed. or at least some of them and the rest tommorrow.

thanks again and i really apreciate all the great information everyone has shared here.... and usually it was a frustrating problem(s) to start off with!!! we all get the benefit and often the same problems.

[ninz30]

The pcv isn't attached other than being held in place by the rubber grommet. If the grommet has hardened you will probably have to replace it, because it will most likely begin to fall apart as you remove the pcv. In a perfect world the pcv would slip right out, but most likely it will put up a fight. You will just have to do your best in removing it and avoid small pieces to fall in the opening.

I should mention the pcv opening on the vc is not a direct hole into the top of the head. The hole leads to a small network of vacuum cannals. So if pieces do fall in you can still retrieve them with a home vacuum.

ps I would replace the grommet and the pcv together.

[85stillalive]

thanks ninz30 (http://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/member.php?2205-ninz30). that is great information. i will have to find another grommet because the one on there is already a little broken. the new pcv i got yesterday is a little different than the one on either of my vans. each of the vans has a plastic top that attaches to the hose but the new one is all aluminum and looks like it plugs right onto the hose (it looks identical to the diagram i the manual) but is wider so it will probably take some effort to get it on there.