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PCV valve frustrations

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by yodiggity42, Jul 24, 2022.

  1. Jul 24, 2022 at 8:20 AM
    #1
    yodiggity42

    yodiggity42 [OP] Active Member

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    I have tried 3 times to remove the PCV valve. On each occasion, I've gone at it with a renewed sense of determination only to be left defeated. The valve is stuck and I can't figure out how to get leverage to pull it out.

    So far, I've:
    • read other threads on pcv removal (eg, here or here)
    • tried to loosen the base of the grommet with a putty knife. This broke a piece of the grommet lip off on one side.
    • sprayed carb cleaner around the base to get things loosened up
    • nearly gave myself a hernia attempting to pull the valve up and out with some channel lock pliers
    I'm at my wit's end, so please give any advice you have to remove it (and also any advice for reducing the chances of the grommet falling in).

    Also -- could anyone point me to a link for a replacement PCV hose? I'm having trouble finding it on rockauto.
     
  2. Jul 24, 2022 at 8:28 AM
    #2
    zero4

    zero4 Metal Cutter

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    HEAT

    It gives you trouble cause the grommet is old & hard. With the engine warm (not required, just saves a bit of time) heat the grommet with a heat gun. It should get softer once heated. Then the PCV should come out easier & go about removing the grommet.

    After almost dropping broken brittle pieces of the grommet inside the valve cover, I'll never take that chance again (way too much work to take a valve cover off the 5VZ).
     
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  3. Jul 24, 2022 at 8:46 AM
    #3
    yodiggity42

    yodiggity42 [OP] Active Member

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    I don't understand what you mean -- how will you avoid chancing it? By not ever replacing it again? Or replacing it frequently enough that it never becomes crumbly and brittle in the first place?
     
  4. Jul 24, 2022 at 8:48 AM
    #4
    Madjik_Man

    Madjik_Man The Rembrandt of Rattle Can

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    I’ve never done this but when I do I’m going to use pick sets and try to slowly and carefully work some space between the grommet and opening from the bottom.

    Maybe don’t even use the pick end but rather the soft bend of the 90* or curved pick.
     
  5. Jul 24, 2022 at 8:52 AM
    #5
    zero4

    zero4 Metal Cutter

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    By heating it to make it more pliable again rather than simply pulling & prying on a dried up brittle grommet.
     
  6. Jul 24, 2022 at 10:41 AM
    #6
    Nessal

    Nessal Well-Known Member

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    I personally wouldn't even bother doing this unless I have the covers off.
     
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  7. Jul 24, 2022 at 10:43 AM
    #7
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette Chief Executive Officer at Kwik Fab

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    I remember using a flat head on the Tacoma, and I think needle nose pliers and pick set on the 4R.

    It's not hard, just have to be careful.
     
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  8. Jul 24, 2022 at 12:10 PM
    #8
    yodiggity42

    yodiggity42 [OP] Active Member

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    I picked up a heat gun and some pick tools. With the help from the heat gun, I was able to remove the valve:

    IMG_2381.jpg

    Here's a shot of the grommet by itself:

    IMG_2382.jpg

    And here's a shot of the grommet missing somewhere in the depths. Why did I decide to do this before ordering some delicious curry takeout?

    IMG_2383.jpg

    I tried fishing around with a hook tool and haven't caught anything yet...
     
    TWJLee, TACOTU3, zero4 and 1 other person like this.
  9. Jul 24, 2022 at 1:01 PM
    #9
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette Chief Executive Officer at Kwik Fab

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  10. Jul 24, 2022 at 4:36 PM
    #10
    yodiggity42

    yodiggity42 [OP] Active Member

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    Update -- I finally got the grommet removed and the new grommet/valve installed. It was a monster pain in the ass.

    Here's a view with the valve cover removed:
    IMG_2394.jpg

    This is the underside of the valve cover. Notice that there's no obvious hole where the PCV valve leads through. I guess it's compartmentalized. That would have been good to know before fishing around the top, bewildered at the missing grommet.
    IMG_2395.jpg

    If you've ever lost a guitar pick in the sound hole of an acoustic guitar, it's kinda like that.
    IMG_2396.jpg
    IMG_2397.jpg
    removed:
    IMG_2398.jpg

    and finally:
    IMG_2399.jpg

    Was it worth it? No, I don't think so. The old valve rattled. But of course, I couldn't have known this without removing the old one to check.
     
  11. Jul 24, 2022 at 4:48 PM
    #11
    TWJLee

    TWJLee Well-Known Member

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    Next week the circulars/half moons will begin to leak.
     
  12. Jul 24, 2022 at 5:17 PM
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    Madjik_Man

    Madjik_Man The Rembrandt of Rattle Can

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    [​IMG]
     
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  13. Jul 24, 2022 at 5:49 PM
    #13
    zero4

    zero4 Metal Cutter

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    Oh BTW, there's a baffle on the underside of the valve cover. :D
     
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  14. Jul 24, 2022 at 6:25 PM
    #14
    yodiggity42

    yodiggity42 [OP] Active Member

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    well, the baffle earned its name
     
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  15. Jul 25, 2022 at 6:30 AM
    #15
    O'Silver_Taco

    O'Silver_Taco Well-Known Member

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    Yeah I made this mistake, left a new one in 2 1/2 years, it got toasty/crispy.....
    even with heat and gentle prying it still decapitated, and had to pluck that bottom straight off the valve cam, mine doesnt have baffle....

    Next time I used a Napa, slightly harder rubber, boy that was a mistake, had a heck of a time getting that one out....

    Now I just replace with the doormans once a year...its right softness and they're $4......

    CIMG4938.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jul 25, 2022
    yodiggity42[OP] likes this.
  16. Jul 25, 2022 at 6:40 AM
    #16
    O'Silver_Taco

    O'Silver_Taco Well-Known Member

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    If you dont replace these on regular basis, you'll get a massive vac leak when the cap of the grommet splits from its base undetected....valve will be flopping around loose....even wiggling it to check it can compromise it.....

    This is one of the achilles heel of the 2000 and olders....
    Toyota then changed to a threaded version...
     
    Last edited: Jul 25, 2022
  17. Jul 25, 2022 at 10:12 AM
    #17
    Nessal

    Nessal Well-Known Member

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    Ain't that the damn truth.
     
  18. Jul 25, 2022 at 1:19 PM
    #18
    O'Silver_Taco

    O'Silver_Taco Well-Known Member

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    Thats another one(heel), if you disturb that valve gasket at all, its safest to pop those moons out and rtv em,
    its not worth the risk.......
     
  19. Jul 25, 2022 at 1:21 PM
    #19
    Nessal

    Nessal Well-Known Member

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    I would replace the valve cover gasket, spark tube seals, cam seals, and FIPG the half moons while I'm in there. Also replace the intake gaskets too.
     
  20. Jul 25, 2022 at 1:32 PM
    #20
    O'Silver_Taco

    O'Silver_Taco Well-Known Member

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    Not so certain on the intake one, I just did mine (plenum replace) and you'd have to break the egr all loose, you know the gaskets that fall to pieces or have to be jack hammered off.....if you dont have oil in plenum I wouldnt mess with..

    My taco came with a stripped bolt hole on upper plenum where throttle body bolts in.....so be super careful torquing down on aluminum......
    turns out the threads on that bolt was damaged(cut) and did a number on that aluminum....

    The tube seals would be a good ideal.....most try to cheat on those......

    See how that $4 a year grommet is not such a bad deal........literally less than 5 min of your time......
    Little bit of silicone grease (dielectric) makes it all slide back together.......
    have seen someone punch a new one thru.....that was unfishable......required cover removal....

    For my pcv hose I used clear blue fuel line hose for a snowmobile..largest dia I could find....any fuel line would do....10' 3/8" cost me like $8......so mine gets a new hose every other year.....
    .....Vacum leaks are little bastards and this is ground zero for em.....
     
    Last edited: Jul 25, 2022

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