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