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2007 Expedition EL. 120k. I have always done my best to maintain my vehicles properly. Serpentine belt has been changed. Fuel filter has been changed twice. Struts done. All fluids done properly. SO, thinking of changing my PCV valve. Went to Pep Boys, dealer part they say. So at the FMC parts guy, whom I know, he frowns, looks confused. Turns the computer screen for me to see. ( I saw a you tube video, thinking its an easy fix. THE bum on the video changed the tube from the PCV valve to the intake, not the PCV ) I said that's the part. No way,, its just a tube. So I go over to the service guys who I also know. The both of them look like they were reading a different language. They went to get a mechanic, who said, OH, YEA that's right. What they were talking about was 2.5 hours of labor plus the " VALVE COVER" because the PCV is built into the valve cover and cannot be replaced as an individual part. What the heck is going on. Has anyone else dealt with this issue. Owners manual says emission parts must be replaced , but at this cost???? I removed intake manifold and valve covers on a 67 GTO, lots of room to work under the hood, but this may be beyond me. Again, what the heck.
What would you recommend cleaning it with?
At this point I was just thinking of doing it because of age and miles.
Service guys said, if no error code, leave it alone.
Not to be sarcastic, but the valve cover would have to be off the engine to get it into the parts washer. If I could get it off then I would just replace the whole part.
Not to be sarcastic, but the valve cover would have to be off the engine to get it into the parts washer. If I could get it off then I would just replace the whole part.
Well yeah that goes without saying, but your message seemed to be about avoiding the cost of a new valve cover.
That's cool. My original post was my ranting , and b***hing about FMC making a fifteen dollar part inaccessible to the point normal shade tree mechanics have to go to the dealer for the major repair/replacement.
I cleaned my PCV valve at 60,000 miles. I just shot some PB Blaster into it. You're just trying to remove some of the carbon and varnish that could make it stick. Carb cleaner or throttle body cleaner would probably work too, if you have a can lying around.
The PCV valve is integral to the valve cover. On my 2011 navigator is connected to a thick, oversize tubing, over an inch thick. Remove the hose, stick one of the above with a thin flexible straw that they come with. Give it one good shot. I would let the car sit for an hour and let any deposits dissolve.
FWIW, I have 72,000 miles on my Navi. Never had an issue with the PCV.
Just putting this out there, if you look at both sides of a new valve cover, I don't think there is a pcv "valve" anywhere in there. There is a tube pressed into the valve cover they curved inside under a baffle that is probably filled with a mesh like steel wool to catch oil and other condensates. This is the design many newer cars use, like an internal catch can. The mesh material gets clogged up without proper maintenance. You could try pouring some B12 chemtool or Seafoam down it, than run it for 30 minutes before your next oil change. If you did really want to clean it you would need to replace the valve cover or remove the baffle from inside and replace the mesh/steel wool.
PCV replacement
