ElHefe
SILVER Star
Good luck! Patience and prep are key. Ask me how I know.
Can't get the PCV grommet out
- Thread starter Leandro
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Good luck! Patience and prep are key. Ask me how I know.
Are there signs of when we should replace the PCV?
Should it be done for PM at certain mileage?
Should it be done for PM at certain mileage?
You can pull it and inspect it but at that point might as well replace it.
It’s a 22mm wrench, or crescent wrench will do
Mine is definitely threaded. I'm hoping there is no grommet on the inside. I let the truck warm up for five minutes hoping the threads on the aluminum valve cover would warm up quicker than the threaded body of the PCV valve. I was able to break it free with a 12" adjustable wrench.
there’s no grommet on that model, looked like mine
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Thanks. I figured the grommets are for the push to insert style PCV valves.
Les Summer
SILVER Star
Old thread, yes I know. I wonder why no one has suggested to stick something down in the hole while you are retrieving the grommet. block the hole so nothing falls down in there. Right?
ElHefe
SILVER Star
For earlier models, the PCV neck is so narrow, I’m not sure what you’d “stuff” down there that would keep debris from falling in while also giving yourself enough clearance to work on the hard rubber. Give it a shot and report back.
Les Summer
SILVER Star
I’ve been thinking about this and I might’ve just figured it out.
get yourself a pair of C clip pliers. take some duct tape and stick it sticky side up around each nose end of the pliers. Remember when you squeeze, C clip pliers, the nose opens, unlike regular pliers. This should push against the sides of the grommet inside of the hole, and the duck tape will give you the grip that you need to twist and pull out the grommet.. I have not tried this yet, but this will be my first attempt
Another good thing is if it does break up a little bit you have the duct tape in there to hopefully pull out some little bits.
Just make sure the duct tape is secured to the plier nose so that it doesn’t slip off.
Man, this stupid grommet. I thought I had a good idea to try and take a skinny knife to make a vertical slice and then try to fold the whole thing in on itself, but that sure didn't work! hahaha
Ended up just being careful and after ripping off some of the top, was able fish some needle nose down the length of it and slowly pulled it out. I think I got like 95% of the crumbled parts out?
Failed slice
So so brittle:
Ended up just being careful and after ripping off some of the top, was able fish some needle nose down the length of it and slowly pulled it out. I think I got like 95% of the crumbled parts out?
Failed slice
So so brittle:
im getting ready for this job -> pcv + grommet and hoses replacement. I see few posts here with many folks losing pieces of broken grommet into the valve cover. This has me worried since i recently replaced the passenger side valve cover and had 3 of those bolts snap on me ... i'm not ready to open driver side VC just to remove grommet plastics. So my questions:
- is the grommet reusable? can i not just pull the old valve out and insert new one into old grommet?
- if its not reusable - once the old grommet is out - how does one fit the new one? - do you insert the new valve into the new grommet and then insert that unit into the VC? or do you insert the new grommet into the VC and then insert the valve into the grommet? Chicken egg question - which is first?
thanks in advance
- is the grommet reusable? can i not just pull the old valve out and insert new one into old grommet?
- if its not reusable - once the old grommet is out - how does one fit the new one? - do you insert the new valve into the new grommet and then insert that unit into the VC? or do you insert the new grommet into the VC and then insert the valve into the grommet? Chicken egg question - which is first?
thanks in advance
- You can re-use it if you'd like. If it's dried and cracked and you think it's going to fall into the cover, it may be better just to keep it until you're ready to dive deeper.
- For install, you'll be installing the grommet in the cover first, then inserting the valve. Just make sure it's all clean before install.
>> Shake valve for testing, if the ball is slapping around freely it's probably fine. The hose on the other hand is usually dried out a bit.
My 02 had a threaded type, lucky me.
2001LC
SILVER Star
As the rubber grommet in 98-02 age, it shrinks and harden. This result in a loose fitting PCV valve, which results in a vacuum leak. It will also allow dust & water into head.
I use a carpet (curved blade) knife, and cut the underside of harden rubber grommet. I'm careful to not cut into head cover soft metal. I then use small curved needle nose plier, to break out in large pieces. If some falls in, it can be picked out with forceps from trap within head. I save each piece, like a puzzle, to see if I got it all.
Any, very small prices getting into head past the trap. Will likely end up lying harmlessly in bottom of oil pan.
I use a carpet (curved blade) knife, and cut the underside of harden rubber grommet. I'm careful to not cut into head cover soft metal. I then use small curved needle nose plier, to break out in large pieces. If some falls in, it can be picked out with forceps from trap within head. I save each piece, like a puzzle, to see if I got it all.
Any, very small prices getting into head past the trap. Will likely end up lying harmlessly in bottom of oil pan.
Ughhhh. I botched this job completely now. Had the engine cover and took it for a nice drive to warm up the grommet. Judging by the debris 'blast' ring around the valve it was definitely losing vacuum and due for a replacement. The valve itself popped out super easy with slightest of tug and the grommet seemed quite soft malleable. Then for some stupid reason i rushed the job - thinking it was going to be easy to get it out - the whole damn thing slipped into the valve cover !!! FM. Now i cant see it at all, put my finger in and cant feel it at all, took the engine oil filler neck off but its compartmentalized to the PCV so really no access.
Whats the vote ?? What would u do? Can i leave it in there or should i open the valve cover to get it out? (and risk more snapped off vc bolts like i had 3 brake off on the passenger side a month ago) .
Whats the vote ?? What would u do? Can i leave it in there or should i open the valve cover to get it out? (and risk more snapped off vc bolts like i had 3 brake off on the passenger side a month ago) .
I'd try to extract it if possibe......Can you shine a light in there and see anything? Maybe a vacuum with a skinny tube adapter to the end? Maybe one of these little grabby tools if you have enough space...maybe a stick with a piece of bubble gum on the end =]
Soak the VC bolts and pull the VC (sooner or later). I waited to do my PCV grommet until I pulled the VCs, but I live in a dry climate and the VCs came off without broken bolts. I feel for you - hang in there! You might look for a pix of the underside of the VC so you can see if your lost grommet will stay put for now. If so, you can wait to pull the VC until convenient.
2001LC
SILVER Star
With flashlight you see.
You can also use a borescope.
You can also use a borescope.
Les Summer
SILVER Star
If you decide to do the valve cover gasket, make sure you do the spark plug tube seals with OEM. I had nothing but problems with aftermarket tube seals used by the previous owner. Since replacing with OEM tube seals, it's been no issues.
Good luck getting that thing out. Give us an update how it went. If you simply cannot find it or feel it, like someone else already said, I'd try a vacuum.
Good luck getting that thing out. Give us an update how it went. If you simply cannot find it or feel it, like someone else already said, I'd try a vacuum.
One week later and i want to give update on my pcv valve replacement job. The good news is that i got the valve cover off and i got the whole grommet out in 3 pieces.
The even better news is that i 'only' snapped of 1 of the 9 vc bolts this time (vs 3/9 when i did passenger side few months ago). Im so happy because its not the dreaded one near the firewall on bottom row - and the head of the bolt snapped off so there's still hope to get it out with a vise grip - but drilling should be quite doable:
Took me a week to get this far as in preparation i was drowning the bolts in different penetrating, rust reactor, acetone treatments every day for 6 days.
Thanks for the support here guys.
The even better news is that i 'only' snapped of 1 of the 9 vc bolts this time (vs 3/9 when i did passenger side few months ago). Im so happy because its not the dreaded one near the firewall on bottom row - and the head of the bolt snapped off so there's still hope to get it out with a vise grip - but drilling should be quite doable:
Took me a week to get this far as in preparation i was drowning the bolts in different penetrating, rust reactor, acetone treatments every day for 6 days.
Thanks for the support here guys.
