Broken PCV valve

Was changing out my PCV valve & set torque to 44 in/lb. It snapped anyway. I was tightening from an area where I couldn’t see anything. Also didn’t break in new 1/4” torque wrench. I had a few ideas of how to get it out. I tried using gorilla epoxy glue on the tip of a 1/4” socket. I let it sit for 6 hours and nothing. I tried again and let set for recommended 24 hrs and she came out. Also used my DeWALT XR Impact. My new PCV valve should be here today.
Also ordered an 18” foldable step stool. After my neighbor loaned there 13” to me. Makes a world of a difference.

 

Torque wrenches don't / shouldn't have a "break in" period.

I have often wondered if torque wrenches, from an overall standpoint, have done more damage than good in the hands of the amateur wrench slinger.
First TR I ever bought was a cheap Tekton that promptly wrung off a spark plug in an $1,800 aluminum WaveRunner head.
I've long since purchased a full set of quality torque wrenches, and still question myself every time I pick one up.
Half a lifetime I did fine without them.. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Glad you got it out without too much trouble.

 

Occasionally my torque wrench will stick if I haven't used it in a while. I have a habit of manually clicking the head both ways while it's set to minimum torque, before I set the torque setting. I've also had some things break when the torque wrench is functioning properly, before getting to the specified torque.

Some things (like a plastic valve with an o-ring seal) probably shouldn't be torqued.

Without a torque wrench, I tend to torque everything to yield, so it's probably better to use a torque wrench.

 

I've been working on things for quite a while. When I did it for money I bought a nice Mac torque wrench. That was around 25 years ago. I'm pretty sure I can count the times I've used it on one hand. There are certain things I will torque (sealed mating surfaces, etc), but the majority of stuff I do by hand. I have to laugh when I see folks getting apoplectic about torque values on inconsequential things.

Heck, I only started torquing lug nuts about ten years ago. And that came about for two reasons: My wife's VW had lug bolts on so tight that I bent a two- or three-foot breaker bar getting them off. And on the trail, I'd like to be able to remove lug nuts without bursting a blood vessel in my head. And if you think the torque police got me, I'm only using torque sticks on them!