98 3.8L windstar pcv valve

i am trying to find the pcv valve on my van, but can not tell which one it is. i know it's supposed to be on the front valve cover for a 98, 3.8L, i see where it is too, there is a grommet on the valve cover then a black plug connected to a hose, which then runs to the air cleaner. is this the pcv valve? there is also the same looking thing though, on the rear valve cover under the cowl(or whatever it's called) but that one is a little different. it has the grommet, then the thing that i think really is the pcv valve(i saw a pic of one at the Napa Autoparts website), after the (pcv valve/unknown part?)there is a hose connected to it, which then runs to the top plastic intake plenium? and on that hose in the middle is another hose attached to it that runs in the opposite direction, towards the firewall and connects to something else back there.

which side is the pcv valve on. the front or back cover?

You description is great. By what you've told me, I belive you're PCV valve is stuck into the rear bank, right over Cyl #3. The PCV is a do-dad about an inch and half long, and about a half inch in diameter. To clean one up, requires a good shot of carb cleaner, and shaking it vigorously. You shouldn't be able to blow anything through the small end, and should be able to blow through the larger end.

Karl

PCV valve on your '98 is on the rear valve cover, they moved it in more recent years to the front. On the top of the upper intake manifold, next to the throttle body, there is a rubber elbow, with a vaccum line connected to it. This vaccum line goes behind the upper intake manifold, and down to the PCV valve. There are a number of vaccum lines that connect to this line, so be careful to avoid knocking any of them off.
If you buy a replacement PCV valve, I would recommend getting a Motorcraft brand, as some other brands have been reported to give problems.
Make sure that the PCV valve is seated into the valve cover grommet, and that the vaccum line is firmly connected to the PCV valve.

Sometimes, the grommet has worn out and does not properly hold the PCV valve, you can buy an new PCV valve grommet if that is the case.

Also, take a look at the elbow that is on top of the upper intake manifold.
I had a small crack develop on the inside of that elbow, causing a vaccum leak.


The line from the flexible hose in the air intake....to the front valve cover, goes to the crankcase "breather". This is where the air goes into the crankcase to replace the air that is pulled out through the PCV valve.
The air that goes into the front breather, has passed through the MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor. So the computer is measuring this air flow as well.

oh, yea that makes sense now! That means the Haynes manual is wrong, cause it says i think... 96-98 3.8L pcv is on the front cover and the 95-98 3.0's are on the rear cover. but mine is on the rear cover, and it is a 3.8 !
i was going to use some of that stuff called seafoam or something like that? do i pour it in thru the pcv valve hole on top of the valve cover?