The way to tell if it needs replacing is to shake it. If you can hear the bearing moving around inside then it is probally ok. If you don't here it then is is probally stopped up and needs to be replaced.

 

its only a 5 dollar part at your local autostore.. just change it if you want to. its honestly not a big deal, it takes how long to change it? 1 minute?

 

if u do change it, go with bosch or toyota, anything else is trash and wont fit right

 

That is what I would do, the OEM cost like $6 and takes 1 minute to change.

 

On my 92 V8, the original PCV is all-metal. It looks like it consists of only 3 parts- the housing, the inner spring, and inner plug that slides within the hole in the housing, so I don't see how anything on it can wear appreciably. Dipping it in some solvent to remove the deposits and then a few Q-Tips run thru it restored it to like-new condition.

I don't see what can be gained (besides 6 to 12 extra points on your frequent-flier charge card) by tossing it and getting a new one, especially considering that many replacement PCVs are made of plastic.

 

The OEM is all metal but I have to admit after replacing mine I couldn't tell a difference of anything.

 

just replaced it with an OEM one....thank you to everyone.....think I might be getting a little better gas milage/......but definatly appreciate the lack of sludge build up around it now.

 

Did you replace the hose also?

 

I saw your Lex over here in Halifax a month ago

 

i've changed mine, with a Deutch from Autozone, $2 part. I did just for peace of mind.

 

PerryinLA is right - why replace it ? Inspect it & clean it out if clogged. Too many times, one replaces a perfectly good part. I know it is only $6 to $ 10. Every little bit adds up. Inspect per my previous post here. You can clean them out with choke cleaner solvent or something similiar. They only have oil & EGR buildup inside of them. Easily cleanable.

 

Can we please get over this topic? It costs a couples bucks and it takes longer to open your hood than to change the darn thing... for god sakes its only a piece of metal...

 

....not if you replace it with a piece of plastic!

 

or plastic.. does anyone know what it does, and whether the engine will fail or emiission fail due to this 2-3 dollar piece of metal, or for those with plastic.. see what i'm getting at? i dont see why people make it a big deal. if you havent changed it, spend 2 dollars and change it, we dont need to sit here and debate

 

This is far from being the first thread where an issue has been over-debated.
I'm certain if we go too far our beloved moderators will put this thread out of its misery (as they say a lot on the www.sounddomain.com forums: "IBTL").