PCV Valve: clean or replace?

Clean or replace PCV Valve?

If clean, then brake cleaner or carb cleaner is better?

I'd just replace it, it's not that expensive. Make sure you get an OEM part though. Aftermarket may not work as well.

Yep, replace it, with OEM. Then, every other oil change, clean it up with air intake cleaner (O2 safe); but, still replace it every year - they do wear out.

would brake cleaner or carb cleaner work?

I have a spray bottle of those 2 lying around.

don't use brake cleaner. The carb cleaner is the one you want. I'd just go out and get a new one. I'd usually spray mine off once or twice a year. Probably can't hurt doing it more often. In the three years I had my Rodeo, I replaced the PCV valve twice. May have been over-kill, but not too expensive either. Main thing is when you shake the valve you should hear the thing rattle on the inside. If you hear it it's still good.

If your's is the original one, at 3yrs of age, I would be replacing it - it's only like $5-7 or so.

Thanks guys for all your inputs.

I would buy a new one for sure.

I asked around just out of curiosity and learn about this stuff.

I asked the dealer and it cost around $16 for a pcv valve for my car.

I'll go get it this weekend and replace it just because ...

oh, FYI, It's orginal. 3 years long. shaked and still rattle.

Just got my fuel filter replaced so why not pcv valve too huh?

yea, good idea replacing it. May still be good, but you never know. $16 is a cheap insurance.

i keep a new one on mine because the 98+ 3.2's already burn oil. i don't need more oil missing between changes! mike

Hmm. 160K+ on mine. Maybe I'll swap it. That'll kill 5 more minutes of the 2 weeks I have off...

That'll kill 5 more minutes of the 2 weeks I have off...

Until the rubber grommet falls apart and drops into the valve cover. Then you spend the rest of the day tearing things apart to clean it out. LOL kidding. Thats just my luck though.

Been there done that! I looked for the grommet as soon as I finished finding the PVC.

I just cleaned mine out with some intake cleaner. Is this a true PCV valve? I can blow through either side without flow impeded. It's acting like a simple crankcase breather, an elbow without any check to backflow. It jiggles when I shake it, and I can see a little spring in the bottom...

I guess it'll be answered when I get the new one...

I believe from my limited knowledge that pcv valve is a one-way street device.

You can blow freely thru the inlet but not the outlet.

If both feels the same then replacement is needed.

oh, for my car, the pcv valve looks like a giant screw that you screw into the valve cover on the right bank ( standing in front of engine ).

I think the older rodeos use the elbow type.

Why do people say to replace it with an OEM unit? I just went and got a FRAM one because I didnt feel like ordering one from a dealership in the USA. Its just a simple piece of plastic how could OEM be any better than aftermarket?

Also mine was original when I replaced it, one day I checked it and it wasnt rattling so I went and bought one and when I pulled the old one out it had started moving again. Couldnt be bothered to return the 7 dollar part though so I just installed the new one anyways.

oh, for my car, the pcv valve looks like a giant screw that you screw into the valve cover on the right bank ( standing in front of engine ).

I think the older rodeos use the elbow type.


yea, yours is a little different from ours. The newest model Rodeo had a different valve. Better I think. That year didn't have the oil burning issue like the 98 -???

My original must have been broken. I got a new Purolator PCV valve from Advance for less than $4. It clearly blocks reverse flow. It was a 10 second changeout, and the grommet is intact! I can't imagine that anything is going to change with the new one...

I think it makes a big difference with the new one.

Save yourself from a blown gasket and oil consumption.

If there was air flow both ways, I can't see blowing seals out. My Rodeo consumes very little oil. I just added about 1/4 qt. between the last changes. I'm curious to see what happens, though. I think it would make a difference is an engine which doesn't see otherwise good maintenance.

Why do people say to replace it with an OEM unit? I just went and got a FRAM one because I didnt feel like ordering one from a dealership in the USA

Maybe the 98+ Rodeo's are using a different PCV valve, I don't know, but I used a fram one for about 500 miles before I could tell that it didn't have a good seal - in fact, it popped out very easily on my '97 Rodeo.

I never changed my original one until about 2.5yrs ago - probably didn't need changing, but did it anyway, honestly never thought of it prior to that.

My truck has never used more then 1/8 qt of oil as the norm, with hauling a heavy boat the most I ever had to add was 1/4qt in 3k miles - but this engine has been superbly maintained with all new filters once every year, sometimes the air filter will get changed twice in one year, or twice in 6 mnths even, depends on how dusty the roads get that we travel on.

The pcv valve nor the EGR valve ever crossed my mind till I came to this board, in which, changing out the PCV and cleaning the EGR are very standard requirements, primarily for the 98+ engines, but felt mine, then at 7yrs of age, could use it too.

These are primarily the sources to clean if you have oil burning issues - I just always figured, after coming here, that by keeping them extra clean will prevent oil burning issues in the future.

I am VERY determined to see just how far I can get this Isuzu engine to go - as long as other drivers will understand my goal and keep their bearings (vehicles) away from mine :cwm27:

Rod2004 - Curious, what's with the head-banging symbal on the Aisian 4-spd auto versus wishing you had purchased the 5-spd manual??

Is that auto tranny a nightmare to service, like our 4L30-E's or what??

hehehe

The head banging is because I wish it has a filler plug instead of the dipstick. It's gona be a pain to drop the pan down.

And I rather drive a 5-spd cuz auto sucks.

Did I just hear an argument FOR the 4L-30E?!

Did I just hear an argument FOR the 4L-30E?!

I believe we just did, Surfer :iceslolan !

That's the 1st! :rofl:

Rod2004 - is it possible, when you drop the pan, to put in a drain bolt for future drain/refills?

5-spds are fun; driving one this week - giving my Mom's car a work-out this week since it hasn't been/and doesn't get driven enough. Much different going from a high-stance SUV to a 2-door sit-way-down low some-what sports car.

Have it worked out that I could drive the car at least 2-3 days a week, allowing at least 200 less miles on the Rodeo a week - as long as too many tools are not needed at work.

I could just see the back of this car dragging and the entertainment provided to on-lookers when they see an 11' ladder on the top of a tiny car :popcorn:

But, spares the Rodeo from the city type driving that we seem to be doing a lot of this year. And, after driving this 5-spd for 4 days now, I'm quickly reminded just how many shifts an auto goes through.

Though I have to say, I HATE holding that clutch in during heavy traffic, specially when other drivers have forgotten that people DO still drive stick-shifts!

:) Its real easy to get a small funnel and pour the trans. fluid down the dip-stick tube. Andie:)

just replaced my pcv valve today. felt good.

yeah Andie is right. It's real simple to pour the trans fluid into the dipstick tube.

I've also been thinking . . .

if you put it in PARK and let the fluid flow out the cooler line without pouring in fluid at the same rate, would your Trans get crapped out?

I don't mean to leave it running until it's all dried. Say, if you stop every 2-4 gallons and refill and then start again . . .

I haven't done it but just curious . . .

I don't know Rod, I've honestly never had the guts to try.