Any reason to replace the PCV valve grommet, screen, or hose?

[bcmbcmbcm]

to the grommets go bad ever? it is fairly oily back there but I can't see.. how about the screen? I heard of people replacing those but why? What about the hose?

Thanks!

 

[Curse]

to the grommets go bad ever? it is fairly oily back there but I can't see.. how about the screen? I heard of people replacing those but why? What about the hose?

Thanks!

The grommet can get brittle and crack, thus letting the PCV valve fall out. The screen can get clogged and become a restriction. The hose can suffer the same fate as the grommet.

 

[HISSIN50]

yep. If the grommet is vulcanized, it can allow a vac leak to occur. If the screen is clogged, it can cause pressure to find the next path of least resistance - often crank seals, etc.

Replace them all (IMHO) and do it with Motorcraft parts, and forget it for a couple years.

Good luck.

 

[94GTLaserRC]

It's an easy AND cheap replacement...why not do it to avoid the mess youre describing?

RC

 

[BLADDER92FOX]

I've never replaced my screen before, i've replaced all others parts last year but not the screen. Is it located near where the pcv valve hose is?

 

[criticman]

Order is as follows:

Lower Intake manifold has the screen sit in it, then grommet and PCV valve in the hole, hose off of valve to upper intake.

You can also just clean the PCV screen with carb cleaner - LOTS of carb cleaner.

 

[bcmbcmbcm]

How do I replace the screen when the upper intake is on the car?

It seems real hard to get back there...just finding the damn PCV valve itself was hard enough, let alone digging down and getting a screen out.. Plus, do I run the risk of dropping it into the engine and doing catastrophic damage??!! makes me real nervous ..

Can I reach back there and wipe the screen down with a carb cleaner soaked rag or something ?


At some point I will be taking off the upper intake to replace the injectors and reseal the valve covers (could a bad PCV grommet or hose cause the valve covers to leak??), should I wait until then to dig out that screen (but do the hose and grommet now)??

Thanks!

 

[Curse]

It seems real hard to get back there...just finding the damn PCV valve itself was hard enough, let alone digging down and getting a screen out.. Plus, do I run the risk of dropping it into the engine and doing catastrophic damage??!! makes me real nervous ..

Can I reach back there and wipe the screen down with a carb cleaner soaked rag or something ?


At some point I will be taking off the upper intake to replace the injectors and reseal the valve covers (could a bad PCV grommet or hose cause the valve covers to leak??), should I wait until then to dig out that screen (but do the hose and grommet now)??

Thanks!

If it were me and it was not giving me any trouble related to PCV failure, then I would just wait and do it when I remove the upper plenum.

Never heard of a clogged PCV valve causing the valve covers to leak. Have you checked to see if the valve cover bolts were tight? They tend to wiggle loose every now and then.

 

[bryanrevans]

get some needle nose plyers and jam it down and grip it up out.There is a lip inside the lower intake so it wont fall down.

 

[bcmbcmbcm]

what are signs of PCV failure?

I just passed smog with flying colors (and will post about this separately!),

It is 'fairly oily' back there, and the grommet comes in and out VERY easily, and the PCV valve itself fits very loose....I don't mind replacing these parts but I don't know if I would call it 'failing', and the screen itself feels (can't see it of course), well, like a screen.. no feelings of dirt or sludge to my finger....any thoughts on this?

 

[criticman]

The "screen" is really approx. 3/4" tall, metal, packed with a hard wiry mesh. No wiping can really be done, as a towel would tear up on it...plus the gunk stays mostly inside.

To get it out, I used (well, my roommate) a hanger bent apart (just a sharp end) with a slight hook made on it. Pulled it up just fine, made putting it back easy too.

 

[HISSIN50]

but I don't know if I would call it 'failing', and the screen itself feels (can't see it of course), well, like a screen.. no feelings of dirt or sludge to my finger....any thoughts on this?

That is the point. You dont know how clogged the screen is, and if it clogs, you will blow crankcase pressure out seals. Hence spending 20 bucks on new components and then forgetting it for a couple years.

Just my take on it. Good luck.

 

[Kerpal]

I would definately replace everything if it hasn't been done yet. The PCV, screen and grommet are all considered maintenance pieces, and are supposed to be replaced once they get old, even though many people never do since they're so hidden behind the intake manifold.

When I replaced mine, the PCV was still good, but only because the screen had been doing it's job... it was clogged solid with nasty black gunk. The rubber grommet was also hardened and didn't seal very well anymore.

I don't know what effect the PCV system has on performance, if any. However, my valve covers seemed to have stopped seeping oil since replacing the parts. I'm no expert, but that seems like rock solid proof that a clogged screen will cause way too much crankcase pressure to build up...

 

[bcmbcmbcm]

ok I am convinced....should I do the hose too though?

ok, I am convinced everyone. I like playing it safe so I will get the new grommet and screen for sure.. I know for a fact that these parts HAVE NEVER been replaced on this car (18 years and 53xxx miles)..but what happens if I don't replace the hose? Can I run some carb cleaner through the hose and call it a day?

 

[BLADDER92FOX]

I never replaced the screen because the pcv valve itself when i did it was hard enough to find back there,plus i didn't know about the screen till end of last year. But in the next 2 months my oil change,fuel filter,pcv valve,and plugs are due for change,i'll be changing the screen while i'm at it. I hope i can find it this time. Good thing i changed the hose last year too so now i don't have to change it.

 

[88GTCobra]

Maybe a stupid question,What does the PCV valve look like. A pic would be nice if anyone has one. I have no idea when mine was changed last so I am going to change it.

 

[Saleen0679]

Maybe a stupid question,What does the PCV valve look like. A pic would be nice if anyone has one. I have no idea when mine was changed last so I am going to change it.

You'll have a short piece of hose going from the upper intake manifold to the nipple on top of the valve. The wide part of the valve sits inside a grommet. Below the grommet inside lower intake manifold sits the Crankcase Breather Filter (or Screen).

 

[Saleen0679]

ok, I am convinced everyone. I like playing it safe so I will get the new grommet and screen for sure.. I know for a fact that these parts HAVE NEVER been replaced on this car (18 years and 53xxx miles)..but what happens if I don't replace the hose? Can I run some carb cleaner through the hose and call it a day?

You'll probably be safe even if you don't change the hose. Just check to see if it is obstructed anywhere (blasting with carb clearner is one way) and check for cracks especially at the ends.

 

[HISSIN50]

Yeah, I dont necessarily replace the hose myself. One can disconnect it and pull vac through it to see if it holds. I dont even do that (I have a vac gauge in the car to monitor manifold vac, so I will see it if a hose goes).

Now if the hose is totally vulcanized, that is different. You guys like working on fox PCV's - the SN's are worse (I cant get arms or fingers down there and it has a molded hose that you cant even see. Grr).

Good luck.

 

[Aliate X]

You dont need to dig to get the screen out, I did mine yesterday, you do have to climb onto the engine basically and use needle nose pliers with 1 hand. Also easier done with the hood off. And when it does fall, it falls onto the top of the transmission, you can get it from the driver side with a telescopic magnet in about 3 seconds.

Takes 5 mins to replace the screen.