allerton

I bought a PCV valve for my 98 es300 from Autozone. While installling, it separated into two parts,
and looks like there is a pin and a spring inside. I'm not sure if it is design like this or it is defective?
I mean why it is so easy to be separated or say, to be broken? It is hard to push in, so I grabed
the upper end and turned like back and forth, then it's broken. The brand is DEUTSCH, I'm
not sure if it is design like this, say, easy to get the pin and spring out for cleanning?

Pheonix

Sounds broken 2 me.

Tammy

I would suggest it's defective. You wouldn't want the valve to come apart while installed in your engine or the next time you remove it. The steel plunger or spring in the rear valve train could be ugly.

Recommend going for a Toyota dealer PCV, for a 98 Camry V6. Should be a reasonable price and matched for your engine, not a universal design.

intrmsof2

Yeah, that one's broke, they're one-piece units. Go with OEM parts if you can; chances are better you won't regret it later.

MoreMGD32

iTrader: (1)

yea from what ive seen too its only one piece.

on another note what does the pcv valve do? does it add any performance?

intrmsof2

During the time your engine is running, gases in the crank case increase and build pressure. If allowed to build continuously, the gases would eventually force themselves out, through gaskets, seals and freezeplugs. In older cars, the crank fumes were just vented directly to the atmosphere, but that was a little atmosphereically unsanitary to say the least. The PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) system provides a path for these gases out of the crank case and introduces them back in to the intake air stream so that they can be safely burned. The little rubber plug in the valve is held in place by a spring. As pressure in the case builds, the spring is forced back, allowing the pressure to be released in a controled manner.

What happens over time is the deposites left by the crank case gases build up on the rubber plug, clogging the system. This allows pressure to build up and can cause any number of issues. This is why changing the PCV is a specified maintenance procedure.

As for adding performance, it does not. But it's integrally tied to the manifold vacuum system, so improper function will likely result in a decrease in performance.

allerton

update:

I went to a Toyota dealer and bought an OEM one which looks much better than the one from Autozone.
The price is kinda expensiive. It costed me 8 bucks. I recall someone reported in the forum that it was like
3 bucks from a dealership. Maybe mine got some high tech in the little tube

miltonlin

The Toyota/OEM PCV valve for my 99es300 was $6.50.
I found that Toyota PCV valve fit perfectly as opposed to what Advance auto sold me for $3, Purolator. That was too big and if you try to force something too big in there you are likely to damage the grommet where the PCV goes in or expand the rubber piece where the clamp goes around.

lexusk8

intrmsof2 hit it right on regarding the description of the PCV valve. I did try to replace the part with one bought from Advance Auto a long while ago (I believe it was a Purolator part), but the fitment did not meet my satisfaction, and every time I open the hood, I always see the valve not sitting tight or flush. So I ended up taking my ES to a Toyota dealership and asked for a PCV valve to be replaced. For around $28 (parts and labor), the part fit much better, and they even sealed the rubber grommet with some kind of sealant applicant.

Pheonix

Don't worry about them breaking & falling in the engine. It happens all the time. They pose no danger to the oiling, or valvetrain. The simply fall in & find there way to a corner where nothing is happening.

chrispy

iTrader: (21)

i'm using the purolator one and the guy who installed it for me said it was same as oem. i didn't believe him but the part was pretty cheap. is there any performance difference between oem and the purolator? will the purolator one go bad sooner?

Pheonix

There is no differance. It's nothing but a one way check valve.

The front head has a 100% open breather to the pre-throttleboy (little vacuum). It alone is enough to clear nearly anything.

MoreMGD32

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the description, very well explanation.