[Romer]

Here is a new thread for the FAQ. with contributions from RavenTai and the Nak

Originally Posted by RavenTai

I would baseline the PVC valve, grommet and both hoses on a new-to-you 80, they are not expensive all were well past done when I got my 96 at 100K,


The larger hose on the passenger side (I think called PCV hose #2) was cracked on mine and has been reported cracked by several others if it is so stiff it feels like a metal hose then it is time to replace it, it will crack at the valve cover shortly after that, same with PCV #1, the PCV valve itself can be checked by removing it and shaking it and making sure that the valve inside is free and seams cushioned by a spring but you are likely to crack the grommet pulling it out so probably best to just have the parts on hand.


As for a replacement schedule I am not sure, 100K and 8 years was too long but everything seams right for me with 65K and 3 years on the new parts, the hoses are stiffened some but not rock hard yet, maybe some of the other members will have an idea on time?

The biggest problem in this easy job is not dropping some of the briitle grommet into the valve cover that will crumble as you try and remove. The Nak proposed a solution.

Originally Posted by The Nak

When I changed mine I used a small knife to make three cuts in the grommet and removed it in segments. Here is a crude drawing of the cuts I made. I made the two cuts at the bottom first, removed that piece, then made the third cut and twisted the remaining two pieces out. My grommet was also very brittle, and I still had a small amount of breakage, but it seemed to work pretty well.

Nak

Both times I have done it, I have dropped part of it down the hole. I ended up using a hemostat and flashlight to find it and get all the pieces out.

[IdahoDoug]

I discovered that pulling the valve out in a certain way will pull the grommet out as well. You're going to replace the valve anyhow, so get a good grip on it with vice grips after pulling the hose off. Then use a piece of wood or similar under the vice grips to place force straight up - as though you're pulling the valve straight up out of the grommet. Just lift with the wood close to the valve for maximum leverage while pressing down on the vice grips handle and it will start rising out of the valve cover.

This seems to put uniform force on the grommet, avoiding pressure spots that will crumble it. I've done this twice with rock hard grommets.

DougM

[97lexus]

I wadded up electrical tape in a bullet shape and stuffed it in the grommet, left a long tail so when the grommet fell in I was able to lift it back up and get it with needle nose pliers.

[CJF]

Originally Posted by IdahoDoug

I discovered that pulling the valve out in a certain way will pull the grommet out as well. You're going to replace the valve anyhow, so get a good grip on it with vice grips after pulling the hose off. Then use a piece of wood or similar under the vice grips to place force straight up - as though you're pulling the valve straight up out of the grommet. Just lift with the wood close to the valve for maximum leverage while pressing down on the vice grips handle and it will start rising out of the valve cover.

That's my trick as well!

However: In my case it was indeed an easy way to pull the valve, but unfortunately the grommet stayed put.

[gotmud]

Had a similar problem on some older Jeeps I used to work on. My solution? Cover as much of the grommet as you can with the end of a shop vac hose. As you pull out the grommet, the shop vac will suck up any pieces that break off.

[SUMOTOY]

Originally Posted by IdahoDoug

I discovered that pulling the valve out in a certain way will pull the grommet out as well. You're going to replace the valve anyhow, so get a good grip on it with vice grips after pulling the hose off. Then use a piece of wood or similar under the vice grips to place force straight up - as though you're pulling the valve straight up out of the grommet. Just lift with the wood close to the valve for maximum leverage while pressing down on the vice grips handle and it will start rising out of the valve cover.

This seems to put uniform force on the grommet, avoiding pressure spots that will crumble it. I've done this twice with rock hard grommets.

DougM

In my case Doug, that caused an absolutely perfect split of the lower grommet. The good news is that it's pretty easy to get into the PCV chamber and get the rest of it out. I used some precision needle nose pliers, but like the shop vac idea.

I'm not convinced there is a easy way to do this. I've done this on 3 different trucks, and they all cracked differently. I say, whatever the method, make sure you have all the grommet. I also say, before attempting to even pull the valve out, have the new grommet in your possession. I made that mistake once as well. The MacGuyver for a 4 dollar parts run was pretty ugly.

Scott J

[MikePL]

What happens to the engine if you don't get all the grommet particles out?

[97lexus]

Self de-struct in 5----4----3----2-------------:-)

[CJF]

Originally Posted by SUMOTOY

The MacGuyver for a 4 dollar parts run was pretty ugly.