Went to the dealer today and one of the serivce guys recommended me to change my PCV Valve every three oil changes....is this true? has anyone changed their PCV valve's before? and what the heck is a PCV Valve?

 

PCV stands for Positive Crank Ventilation.

Engines need to breathe. Fresh air is fed into the engine (this is not the same as intake air for combustion), and old air is vented out through the PCV valve.

If the PCV valve is clogged, dirty, or old, then it wouldn't be able to vent the air out of the engine. It's a good idea to check on the PCV valve once in a while, but every 3 oil changes? Hell, no.

 

evey 3 oil changes? That's a bit excessive! They either work or they don't. If they don't you will know it. A PCV valve is not a part that wears very much over time. My 94 Explorer has 80K miles, & I just changed the PVC valve. It was the orginal on there. It was working fine, but since I was in the area doing other work I changed it.

 

I really hate the dealer I'm at....such fawkers...I"m never gonna go there again...I'm not gonna start...but thanks for the tips guys and lookin out

 

Which dealer do you go to in Chicago???

I changed my PVC valve at 50K miles just to be safe.

 

how does one tell if it needs to be changed? i'm at 80k and haven't done it yet.

 

The best way to tell is to take it off and shake it. If there's a clicking/rattling noise, then it's fine.

 

McGrath Acura, Morton Grove, IL Northen burbs

 

where is the pcv valve located?

 

when is the recoommended mileage that the pcv valve gets replaced?

what are teh symptoms you get when you know its time to change it.

 

If it doesn't rattle, you can shoot some Gumout through it to clean it and you're good to go.

 

I believe #2 on the picture

 

I change my PCV at 50k because it is the plastic type and they are more prone to screwing up.......... Steel ones at 80-100k and you can also just clean them with intake cleaner.

 

thanks!

 

just to let you know i changed the one on my Accord V6 at 90k miles and i had no issues.

 

I replaced mine at 60K as part of regular maintenance. The old one was probably still good, but it only costs 15 bucks and takes 2 min to install

 

did you also install the rubber bushing that holds the PCV valve? is it required?

 

no harm in installing the bushing