Hey all,

I'm trying to diagnose a symptom and I think it might be the PCV valve. The car sems to be idling rougher than usual and a recent oil change did not solve the problem as it used to in the past.

1). Where do I find it?

2). If I remember from other cars, if you shake it and you can't hear a rattle-like sound, that means its bad, right?

3). If its not the PCV valve are there any other filters that could be causing the car to idle like this? I know its not new (72K) but up until now after every oil change I noticed that it would behave like a "new car". I refer to it as dirty diaper symdrome--whereby the car would behave like new after getting its diaper changed. I had the throttle body cleaned last year (from carbon build-up) and other fluids look fine, as do the belts.

Thanks for your advice!

 

Did you try to use a fuel injector cleaner? have you ever replaced the spark plugs?

 

Yes, I've used several bottles of fuel injector cleaner with minimal effect. I was having a problem with the car stalling--just after starting-- and the fi cleaner fixed this issue. No, haven't changed the plugs--since I thought it wasn't necessary before 100k miles.

Is it an easy DIY to change the plugs?

I'd almost say that if its not a clogged filter that it does need a tune up.