engine part identification, please!

I took my air intake off today to clean my throttle body. I noticed a purple/blue something-or-other that wasn't quite seated properly and seems to be seeping a little oil. Can you tell me what it is? It's on the passengers side of the valve cover, right of the front coil (if you are looking into engine compartment.





I haven't seen that color on other Yotas before, so I'm guessing its aftermarket.
Is a little seeping normal or is it something to watch and/or replace?

Thanks.

 

That is your PCV valve= Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve....yes they are usually brown, cheap and easy to replace, mine as well do it

 

Thanks. Do you know if it's in a different place on the earlier model Tacomas. This one's a 2003, but when I had the '99, I was told it was in the back of the engine behind the plenum. I never got around to changing it, so didn't confirm.

I'll definitely change it this time. OEM or is aftermarket OK?

 

I'm also wondering if the 'seeping' i saw was actually seeping oil or if the prior owner had used motor oil to lube the grommet before he put it in. Probably both.

I'll replace them both. Is the grommet a PITA to remove and install. Seems like it would be easier with the valve cover off.

 

It's in the exact same spot on my 99...... U probably didn't notice it as much since it wasn't blue.....and yeah the gasket is probably bad or was at one time, if it's not wet oil around it now, it is probably from before, but on the safe side I would change it

 

You could get one from O'Reilly's, Napa....etc and be fine, but of course the masses on TW will say OEM....I would just get one from your location auto parts store

 

Yours is a '99 too? My valve cover was leaking on my 99. I tightened (lightly) the bolts closer to the cabin which was where it seemed to be leaking the most. While the truck was in a shop, I asked about it and the mechanic said that it probably wasn't the valve cover but the pcv valve in the back. I'm guessing he was just an idiot. Actually, I distinctly remember walking out of there saying: god, what an idiot!!!.

Is the breather on the other valve cover? I'm not at my truck right now. Just wondering if maybe he mean the breather was in the back. Probably just an idiot.

Thanks for your help. I'll change it out tomorrow.

 

I would just change the valve.....before you take the old one out get a rag and clean the hell out of the area around it, then remove the old one by twisting it out and replace with a new one, if it was me (I looked at ur attached pics) I would change the vacuum hose that attaches to it, notice how dry and cracked it is, no need go get the OEM exact hose, just got to the local aunt parts store and get the same size ( inner diameter) hose and replace.

 

Yeah LOL.....that's the only PCV valve and it's the same 3.4L from 95.5-04

 

my '04 has the same color and it came from the factory that way. I need to get mine replaced just haven't done it.

 

My PCV failed causing oil to hit the MAF sensor causing a P0171 code and terrible fuel economy on a recent road trip!
Change it for peace of mind if nothing else.

 

The dealership is closer than the auto parts store and they give me the online price, so i went there. The valve they gave me is the same color. So the one on my truck may be the original or the prior owner may have changed it at some point. Either way, got the new one and will put it on tomorrow when I do plugs and wires.

 

Did you also get a new grommet? Like stated the hose looks rough, can pick that up at any parts store.

 

Cool

 

I finally got around to this. The rubber grommet had turned mostly hard with age/heat. I could think of a few different designs they could have used to prevent this:



It wasn't avoidable. I basically had to tear it up, let it fall into the valve cover, and then use two pairs of needle nose, one to lift it, and the other to get a better grip and pull the misshapen sh@t through the hole. At least it's done now.