Can't get old PCV valve grommet out

[M0untaineer]

Howdy all- Replacing the PCV valve on the 1FZ-FE...grommet is hard as a rock and can't get it pulled through...have sprayed it with silicone/lubricating oil and have been wrenching on it with pliers, but no luck...anyone have any other recommendations?

 

[Redgrrr]

They are tough to get out when they get hard,mine crumbled and had to rig up a skinny tube taped to a shop vac hose and get the pieces out, Onur had a good trick posted here somewhere.

I ended up cutting a slice in it with a pocket knife and collapsing it into itself but it crumbled, it almost glues itself to the opening in the valve cover

 

[SUMMIT CRUISERS]

I have cut them in half, pulled the two halves out and use a shop vac in the case any pieces fall in. If you use the shop vac I would also remove your oil fill cap to allow better air movement.

 

[M0untaineer]

Thanks fellas...the top portion crumbled when I initially started to pull it, so only the bottom portion remains and I can't get much to it to cut it...pliers and leverage don't seem like they're doing much....

 

[M0untaineer]

I'm afraid to try and drill anything and get any metal/rubber shavings down in there...

 

[littlehandegan]

Pliers, flathead up under groove and hammer. It will come!

And if any falls in to be honest, a little grommet trash is not going to stop, or bother that toyota valve train. If it gets caught in anything it will be made quick work of.

 

[peytonkristen]

Don't sweat getting this grommet out. I've changed out several like this and the easiest way I have found is to use some duct tape or gorilla tape. Take a few strips and tape up the grommet. Push the strips in and catch the underside as good as you can. I then use a knife or even a small chisel to cut up the grommet enough to get it out. Once you get the top lip cut up it will give enough to get it out. Most, if not all of it will be stuck to the duct tape. Check for any missing pieces once you get it out. If you're worried that some of the grommet is left inside, fashion up a small tube (I used a piece of gas line) to attach to a shop vac and vacuum out the area under the grommet.

Hope that helps.

 

[half k cruiser]

Maybe some weightlifting hey, you asked for suggestions.

 

[Timpanogos Slim]

If you've seen pictures of the inside of the valve cover, it's my guess that the bits of hard rubber aren't a _huge_ problem.

There are steel baffles on the inside of the valve cover that keep the big chunks out of the valves.

So, take your time and get 'em out of there. don't drill anything because metal shavings are bad. But if you don't get 100% of the pieces it's not the end of the world.

 

[Timpanogos Slim]

Like so.

 

[SupraTuRD]

You guys are making it more difficult than it is. I heat the pcv valve with a small propane torch until the oil around rubber grommet starts to fizzle. A good pull on the pcv valve and it will slide right out. If the brittle rubber grommet crumbles, no big deal... it will fall onto the tray below and small needle nose pliers can be used to retrieve the pieces. Works great.

 

[joshAUST]

Thanks @SupraTuRD!
I couldn't get mine out, but, after reading your nine year old post, I hit mine with a heatgun, both the PCV and grommet.
I tried to avoid the plastic spark plug lead cover thingy and directed most of the heat right at the PCV.

After that, I tried with the edge of a chisel, but the side of the grommet broke off.
So I again tried grabbing the PC valve with a pair of pliers and lifting, and it came out with ease, bringing all of the remaining grommet with it.
Quick clean around with a petrol rag, washed the PC valve with petrol, tested, and reinstalled again.
It was hard to get back in with the new grommet, so I heated it up a little bit and it went in easily.
No more oil leaks around the grommet.