Everyone seems to be pretty sharp here, I've gotten great help here. So I was wondering if anyone might know where my PCV valve is located on my 02 Explorer XLT 4.0 SOHC. I'm trying to find the PCV valve on my 02 Explorer XLT 4.0 SOHC. But I cannot find it anywhere. I ordered the Fram PCV Valve FV375 from the parts store. The Ford dealer printed me an illustration of what they believed to be the PCV valve which matched locations with the Haynes manual I stopped and looked at in the parts store. Ford's illustration shows the black plastic nipple screwed into the backside of the driver's side valve cover. I took that large diameter hose off and that's what I saw, no replaceable valve like the one I ordered for this vehicle from the parts store. Even the Ford owner's manual lists a replaceable valve #EV253. I did a search and it looks like a lot of other people have asked this same question on various other forums and sites, but no one was able to provide an accurate answer. Obviously if I ever find it, it won't be in an easy to get to spot. The fuel filter was in a stupid place, the transmission has no dipstick, and now the PCV is hidden, so I guess I've learned that I can understand if it doesn't have one or it's somewhere impossible to get to after I've seen all these other obstacles. Amazingly the spark plug change took me about 20-30 minutes total, which I've never been able to do on any Ford we've had. I was impressed by that. So is this illustration Ford gave me right? Does the SOHC motor have a non-replaceable valve just like the Jeeps don't have a replaceable valve? Oh yeah with the first fuel filter change ever on this 101,000 mile Explorer and first plug change, I still got 17 MPG in the city, which is still 1 over the factory sticker says. Maybe I'll hit 19 now.

 

If you're really stuck, I'm going to have the intake off one of these in the next couple days (when the parts get here) and can take a look for you.

The Ford shop manual says.........

Remove the PCV hose.
Remove the PCV valve by turning the valve counterclockwise.

To install, reverse the removal procedure.

 

Not sure if yours is the same, but my 01's valve is under the plastic SOHC shroud toward the back. It's got a T-connector coming out of it. I still haven't replaced mine, but I bought the same PCV valve from one parts store. Before, I went to a different one, and they told me there supposedly wasn't because it wasn't in their computer. I went to one of those quick-lube places, and they tried to tell me the same thing until I pointed it out to them. Their reply was simply, "Oh. Well, we don't stock that one."

 

Hope this helps...



Mike

 

Just a quick question on the PCV. How do you know when it needs to be changed? Is it just at a regular interval (mileage) or are there signs of a failing/failed PCV to look for?

Mike

 

That's the same illustration Ford gave me. They told me that valve was $41.00. The EV-253 number in my factory owner's manual that came with the Explorer when it was new was wrong. Another dealer told me the replacement valve is EV-268. Also while at the Ford service department they told me there was no PCV valve to replace on this 02 4.0L SOHC, and the guy said he gets asked the same question all the time by other owner's looking for the PCV. I saw that it was a screw in type but I didn't unscrew it, it appeared to be just a vaccuum pipe and not a replaceable valve. So I'm not replacing it as part of regular maintanence, especially if it's $41 every 60,000 miles.