okay...so I've got this '92 Ranger with a 2.3 4banger...started burning oil on me last week, and I was told that it looked my gaskets were blown. However, I've checked my oil dipstick, and there is oil on it. I've checked it both hot and cold. My dad suggested that the PCV valve has probably gotten clogged up and needs changing. Okay, so I got the new valve...now here's my question...

Where the is the darn PCV valve located on my engine? I usually call myself pretty good at finding things on my engine, but this one is escaping my notice! Any help would be appreciated, as I'd like to get this thing fixed this weekend.

 

If it is like mine, it will be located on the top of the engine, near the trottle body...i think....I am not sure what that has to do about the burning oil situation. Maybe, big1, rockledge, or racerguy could help you.

 

Hi Kayley,
The PCV valve should be in a hose that is below the intake manifold. There should be a vapour seperator on the block with a short hose with the PCV in it then another hose to the intake manifold. It will probably be pretty hard to see.
When you say it started burning oil do you mean that it is smoking? Blue smoke?

 

I get a lovely and festive stream of bluish-white smoke from the tailpipe when I first start the truck up. I've noticed that as the truck warms up, the smoke is not as bad. I've been told that means I've got a bad valve seal somewhere. If this is true, then as much as I would hate to do it, I'm gonna have to put the truck out to pasture, cuz I'm just not prepared to deal with that kind of repair.

 

Kayley72, please give us as much DETAIL about the smoke as you can. Is it mostly BLUE?? Or mostly white with only a very slight blue tint?? Did it start very suddenly, or, has it been coming on gradually for some time?? If it is BLUE, and it is only the valve seals, you could keep going a long time, with no catastophic failure. Mine has been doing it for over 3 years, and still going. But, if it is MOSTLY WHITE, with very slight blue tint, it might be anti-freeze getting into the combustion chambers. This is a bad thing. It could be a blown head gasket, a cracked head, or cracked block. It is not unusual for the heads on these 4 bangers to crack between the valves (if you have the aluminum head version). If this is the case with yours, believe it or not, you could keep driving it for quite a while. I had an Escort with this exact same problem (and it's not unusual). All I did was to cut a slit in the radiator cap rubber gasket (the smaller INNER gasket that pressurizes the cooling system, NOT the larger outer one that seals the system to the overflow tank). That way, the cooling system was running at zero pressure, and coolant wasn't being forced into the combustion chambers through the cracks in the head. I drove that car like that for 8 months, on long trips, over mountains, EVERYWHERE! So don't give up hope just yet.

 

thanks for all the help guys. However, as of today, I no longer have that truck. I traded it in on a newer vehicle. As I was removing all my stuff, I could almost hear my truck crying. As I drove off the lot, I felt like I was abandoning my best friend. I won't say the name of the new vehicle, however, as it's not a Ford.

 

You traded your Ford in for a non-Ford product? Oh man...just wait...pretty soon you'll think those problems you WERE having are nothing.

 

ah, gee...make me feel real good. I felt soo bad today. I could almost hear my truck crying out to me, "don't leave me here! haven't I carried you all over creation? Why?"
As for the non-Ford product...*sigh*. I had to get what I could afford. The payments are low, and my insurance isn't changing.

 

Should we even ask what sort of non-Ford you bought?
I promise not to laugh tooooo hard.

 

well, it is at least another american made product...

okay, okay...it's a Dodge Intrepid. yes...I opted for a car this time. but it's got a huge trunk! I think I'll be able to get my camping gear in there just fine.

 

HURRAH FOR THE 7/70000 warrenty.. whats the deduct on that.. chances are you might be using it on the tranny. ;(

Oh well at least you bought american. At least you didnt buy a civic and rice it out

Rand

 

lucky for my my daddy is a wiz when it comes to Dodge. He's owned a Ram truck for almost 10 years....

 

whew!
I was kinda worried you might buy a GM
lol

 

nooooo...no GM product...hubby has had waaaaaaaaay too many problems with his Chevy. The only car I was considering was the Dodge.

 

Good girl
We'll still talk to you here
hehe