Ok I will admit im a low skilled mechanic office boy. However, I enjoy a real challenge. With confidence from this site, I have recently changed the fuel filter, spark plugs and PCV. The last is where the problem arose. The valve came out, but the gasket didn’t, so as I attempted to get it out with needle nose pliers a chunk went in, I think?? Ok, do don’t laugh too much, but I did put a wet/dry vac with small attachment into the hole with hopes of sucking it up, but don’t really know. The main question I have is any future potential problems from this gasket piece??
PCV and Me
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Ok I will admit im a low skilled mechanic office boy. However, I enjoy a real challenge. With confidence from this site, I have recently changed the fuel filter, spark plugs and PCV. The last is where the problem arose. The valve came out, but the gasket didn’t, so as I attempted to get it out with needle nose pliers a chunk went in, I think?? Ok, do don’t laugh too much, but I did put a wet/dry vac with small attachment into the hole with hopes of sucking it up, but don’t really know. The main question I have is any future potential problems from this gasket piece??- Thread starter
- #2
I tried to pull this post but couldnt. I checked the shop vac, the piece was in it and it fit on the old one! Good for now... 
Man, I had a small chunk like this (maybe smaller) fall into the valve cover today. Haven't started the engine yet... should I just spend the 2hrs and take the whole valve cover off again to look for this piece or did Toyota do a good job of sending oil flow from this point to the oil filter?
My cruiser is a 99 and this grommet is probably factory original which is why it's so fragile.
If you have a newer cruiser, keep this grommet replaced every few years to avoid this problem.
My cruiser is a 99 and this grommet is probably factory original which is why it's so fragile.
If you have a newer cruiser, keep this grommet replaced every few years to avoid this problem.
Same happened to me when I went to change it. The grommet was extremely brittle. I guess it's understandable after 100K+ miles. Just used a flashlight and long needle noses.
Jason, don't start or run your motor til you remove the piece that fell inside the V covers. You should try getting it out with long needle nose pliers or there's a tool that looks like a long garbage picker ( bendy or flex pipe with a grabber on one end). If that doesn't work, IMO, I'd take the valve cover off.
APKhaos
Unfixing the unfixable
Not sure I'd want to risk moving it deeper or further than its has fallen, which is likely with any kind of picker given you can't see to guide it.
First thing to try before removing the covers is to tape up a length of vinyl tubing to your shop vac. Go in slowly, and move it around gently. You want to suck it up onto or in to the end of the tube. With any luck you might hear the load increase on your vac when your lost piece is sucked onto/into the tube. Withdraw carefully, and be prepared to drop & retrieve a few times before you get it out.
Oh, and ^ +1. Don't start the engine until its out, either this way or by removing the valve covers as a last resort.
First thing to try before removing the covers is to tape up a length of vinyl tubing to your shop vac. Go in slowly, and move it around gently. You want to suck it up onto or in to the end of the tube. With any luck you might hear the load increase on your vac when your lost piece is sucked onto/into the tube. Withdraw carefully, and be prepared to drop & retrieve a few times before you get it out.
Oh, and ^ +1. Don't start the engine until its out, either this way or by removing the valve covers as a last resort.
That piece is going to get eaten up in the first 10 seconds of operation.
I seriously doubt anything bad is going to happen. It'll get chewed up, conjoin with the oil, and end up in the pan.
I seriously doubt anything bad is going to happen. It'll get chewed up, conjoin with the oil, and end up in the pan.
I dropped prolly a third that grommet in my engine-a few years back. No issues. I believe you are correct, Beno.
I got out whatever pcs I could find, but I agree with Beno. It would seem odd for Mr T to let this be a factor to bring down the 2UZ. I remember the grommet being a brittle problem on the 80 series too.
For future grommet changes, I might try a crochet hook (spelling?)
Engine runs normal after cranking today.
For future grommet changes, I might try a crochet hook (spelling?)
Engine runs normal after cranking today.
I changed out my PCV and grommet today. I looked in the valve cover and it looks a little gunky. Is this amount of 'dirty' oil normal? I too also think a teeny tiny piece of rubber may be sticking around in there but I don't think I'm worried about it.
