How often are you guys changing PCV valves?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 0
From: Bucks county Pa
Re: How often are you guys changing PCV valves? (Lone Ranger)
At the risk of sounding dum....Both my 84 and 90 had a hollow 90 degree elbow where a PCV valve would go into the valve cover. Is this correct? I put a PCV on the 84 cause it listed a part number. Im confused about this. Oh yeah, sorry to steal your post man. :D So to answer your question....never. Unless someone points me in a different direction then tomorrow. I believe the rule is 24k on a normal car. :cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,212
Likes: 10
From: Sun City West Az
Re: How often are you guys changing PCV valves? (krivera)
My 92 has the original PCV valve. About once every 6 months I take it off the car and pour a little gas through it......rattle it around little bit, air dry it and put it back on. That's an old trick I learned about 40 yrs ago (when working at a gas station while going to school). I don't think I have ever bought a PCV valve in any of my cars through the years as this trick really works.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
Re: How often are you guys changing PCV valves? (JimmyS5600)
It should be on the driver-side of in the intake manifold. Take the plastic cover off it you will notice a hose that makes a "U" bend. One side is the PCV valve (I think it is on the side closest to the driver).
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 2
Re: How often are you guys changing PCV valves? (JimmyS5600)
Don't want to sound like a knucklehead but where is the PCV located on a
96 LT1. Anyone know?
Thanks
96 LT1. Anyone know?
Thanks
[Modified by Lone Ranger, 6:39 PM 5/2/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: How often are you guys changing PCV valves? (ninetyfivevette)
The PCV is really simple, and wouldn't need to be replaced if you keep it clean. I'd try the gasoline cleaning mentioned above.
I know the PCV is cheap, but who wants to buy more useless crap just because the dealer recommends it?
"Regular Maintenance" should only be require replacement of items that can't easily be checked out. Otherwise, run it till it breaks! :smash:
I know the PCV is cheap, but who wants to buy more useless crap just because the dealer recommends it?
"Regular Maintenance" should only be require replacement of items that can't easily be checked out. Otherwise, run it till it breaks! :smash:
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 0
From: royal palm beach florida
Re: How often are you guys changing PCV valves? (Lone Ranger)
The PCV vale usually has the spring either get weak or get tarnished.For the cost of it replace it as regular maintenance. :steering:
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 2
Re: How often are you guys changing PCV valves? (pwrful c4)
The PCV vale usually has the spring either get weak or get tarnished.For the cost of it replace it as regular maintenance. :steering:
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: west chester pa
Re: How often are you guys changing PCV valves? (Lone Ranger)
Considering what the valve does, it not so much a performance concern but more so related to pressure in the engine and your seals taking a walk if the engine /block can't breath. if in doubt change it. It's inexpensive. Also that "u" shaped hose will get brittle in time and crack rendering the valve useless. Get a valve and hose together and forget about it for 30-50000 more miles. :steering:
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: How often are you guys changing PCV valves? (Danny1994)
I'm not sure about youre PCV valve, but mine has no spring. It just has a little weight inside. Gravity holds it shut, and sufficient vaccuum opens it. If the valve sticks shut, you'll build up crankcase pressure which will cause bigtime oil leaks and deteriorate your oil. You'll get poorer performance and soot/oil/gunk will blow back up into the throttle body through the passengerside and gum up the entire intake tract.
:U
:U
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 2
Re: How often are you guys changing PCV valves? (CentralCoaster)
The LT1 one's have springs.
I went ahead and bought a replacement. Put it side by side with the original, used a rod to depress the plunger on each to check apparent spring tension-- felt identical... :crazy:
I went ahead and bought a replacement. Put it side by side with the original, used a rod to depress the plunger on each to check apparent spring tension-- felt identical... :crazy:
I'm not sure about youre PCV valve, but mine has no spring. It just has a little weight inside. Gravity holds it shut, and sufficient vaccuum opens it. If the valve sticks shut, you'll build up crankcase pressure which will cause bigtime oil leaks and deteriorate your oil. You'll get poorer performance and soot/oil/gunk will blow back up into the throttle body through the passengerside and gum up the entire intake tract.
:U
:U
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 1
From: Wichita KS
Re: How often are you guys changing PCV valves? (Lone Ranger)
The spring tension keeps the check ball against its seat under low vacuum conditions/heavy load. This forces internal crankcase pressure to flow upwards thru the passenger side valve cover fitting & then into the T-body (under the plastic top plate) and onwards into the intake tract.
Under hi vacuum conditions/light load the vacuum overcomes the spring tension and lifts the check ball off its seat which allows direct manifold vacuum to evacuate the crankcase pressure.
[Modified by superlund, 8:18 AM 5/3/2003]
Under hi vacuum conditions/light load the vacuum overcomes the spring tension and lifts the check ball off its seat which allows direct manifold vacuum to evacuate the crankcase pressure.
[Modified by superlund, 8:18 AM 5/3/2003]
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 2
Re: How often are you guys changing PCV valves? (superlund)
That's a good explanation, I've snipped it and saved it for my offline archives, if you don't mind!
The spring tension keeps the check ball against its seat under low vacuum conditions/heavy load. This forces internal crankcase pressure to flow upwards thru the passenger side valve cover fitting & then into the T-body (under the plastic top plate) and onwards into the intake tract.
Under hi vacuum conditions/light load the vacuum overcomes the spring tension and lifts the check ball off its seat which allows direct manifold vacuum to evacuate the crankcase pressure.
[Modified by superlund, 8:18 AM 5/3/2003]
Under hi vacuum conditions/light load the vacuum overcomes the spring tension and lifts the check ball off its seat which allows direct manifold vacuum to evacuate the crankcase pressure.
[Modified by superlund, 8:18 AM 5/3/2003]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
Re: How often are you guys changing PCV valves? (Lone Ranger)
I replaced mine when I did the plugs, wires, fuel filter and such. Need to check it again though, thanks for the reminder. Just to make sure it is not stuck.
