PCV Valve
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 36
Likes: 1
From: GA
PCV Valve
I have probably changed 10-15 PCV valves over the years, never on my LS430. The car has 182,000 and I am sure it's the original valve.
Went to replace it yesterday and attempted to just pull it out with my hand. Wouldn't budge. It twists and spins freely so it's not fused to the grommet or anything.
Pulled out my channel lock pliers. Gripped the metal body of the valve and attempted to lift it up and out while rocking it back and forth. Won't come out. Tried again using a lot more force (not all out but lifting very very hard). Didn't budge!
What am I missing?
Why in the world doesn't this thing just pull out like's it supposed to? Any other tricks or tips? I don't want to have to take the valve cover off or fish out broken pieces of plastic grommet.
Very frustrating.
Went to replace it yesterday and attempted to just pull it out with my hand. Wouldn't budge. It twists and spins freely so it's not fused to the grommet or anything.
Pulled out my channel lock pliers. Gripped the metal body of the valve and attempted to lift it up and out while rocking it back and forth. Won't come out. Tried again using a lot more force (not all out but lifting very very hard). Didn't budge!
What am I missing?
Why in the world doesn't this thing just pull out like's it supposed to? Any other tricks or tips? I don't want to have to take the valve cover off or fish out broken pieces of plastic grommet.
Very frustrating.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: MN
I had a grommet and PCV hose both break on me when doing this service at 150K miles on a 2001 LS (in 2013). Both had become very hard and brittle by that point. I went very slow on the grommet, but still had a piece fall into the valve cover hole -- fortunately, I was was able to fish it out.
I don't know of any approaches to soften an old grommet up -- maybe some of the more technically inclined here may have advice on that front?
Good luck!
I don't know of any approaches to soften an old grommet up -- maybe some of the more technically inclined here may have advice on that front?
Good luck!
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 36
Likes: 1
From: GA
That's what I am afraid of! Unfortunately, I replaced the valve cover gaskets in the fall and didn't think to change the PCV valve when the cover was off!
How hard was it to physically pull the valve out or did the grommet break which allowed the valve to come right out?
How hard was it to physically pull the valve out or did the grommet break which allowed the valve to come right out?
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 878
Likes: 232
From: Arizona
The pcv valve has a lip on the bottom that goes past the grommet. The grommet has a lip that keeps it in the valve cover. Mine were like hard plastic after 112k miles. The only way to remove it is brute force and hope the valve doesn't break. Once the valve is out you can break off pieces of the grommet and remove them. If any pieces fall into the valve cover you should be ok as the design of the baffle on the inside won't let any pieces go anywhere. Check your pcv and emission hoses too while you are at it. Mine were brittle and some cracked upon removal. $150+ for all new Lexus hoses. I spent $6 on bulk hoses of the correct sizes and replaced them all.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: MN
I agree with everything posted by 911LE -- it was about 3 1/2 years ago for me, but he's right -- the baffle caught the piece that broke off. It was brute force until the grommet broke for me, too. A smalll chunk below the cover broke off and fell into the baffle -- it was a clean break instead of a shattering, so recovery was not too bad. Take it as easy as possible and it should work out fine. That was over 40K miles ago on my car -- no valve train issues at all.
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 36
Likes: 1
From: GA
Feel much better about the baffle catching any small grommet pieces that break off. In looking at the design of the grommet and how tight the grommet fits the valve cover and the PCV valve fits in the grommet, it's guaranteed that some part of the grommet is going to break. It's basically turned into brittle plastic and there's no way to remove everything without it giving like it would when new.
Bocatrip, I hear 'ya. Normally I would just leave it alone given the circumstances but it's pretty oily and the car is burning, or losing, a little bit of oil between oil changes. Don't know that it's the PCV valve but there's a lot more oil around it that I like.
Bocatrip, I hear 'ya. Normally I would just leave it alone given the circumstances but it's pretty oily and the car is burning, or losing, a little bit of oil between oil changes. Don't know that it's the PCV valve but there's a lot more oil around it that I like.
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+1 with what 911LE mentions. Those grommets become very stiff/hard as they age. Brute force along with good block to lever it up pulls them out. Once out cut, the grommet down the length then fold it over and pull it out. Many instances it will break into pieces but these are able to be fished out with some long tweezers. And don't worry if you don't get all the pieces. It's not going to seize the valve train if it does get past the baffle. Also replace the PCV hose because it is similarly stiff and may leak a bit reducing the PCV effectiveness. The bulk-spool hoses will conform to shape once they heat cycle.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 289
Likes: 9
From: Georgia
The PCV valve is one of the most over looked maintenance items on a vehicle. It's a very important yet cheap component regarding the health and longevity of an engine. I have replaced several engines for my customers due to sludge. All of them have had the original PCV valve. It's less than $10.00 bucks which is what is crazy! Replace the flipping thing. If the rubber grommet you guys are talking about is dry and cracked then replace it as well. However, for the life of me I have no clue what ya'll are referring to when you discuss the rubber grommet that it seats into. Every 3UZ PCV valve screws into the valve cover on the drivers side.The part # is 12204-50030. What are you guys replacing that you think is the PCv valve?
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 36
Likes: 1
From: GA
Interesting. I purchased one with the same part #, but at a Toyota dealership that has no threads. I am not at home so I can't post a picture but why would Toyota/Lexus make 2 valves with the same part #; one with threads, one without?
If mine is threaded, I understand why I couldn't remove it by simply pulling up on it!!!
If mine is threaded, I understand why I couldn't remove it by simply pulling up on it!!!
Last edited by mekelly; Jul 22, 2016 at 01:54 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 289
Likes: 9
From: Georgia
I just looked in the Lexus parts system and it shows 01-04 takes the 12204-50020 and 05-06 uses 12204-50030. They did the same thing on the 2UZ engine, the 4.7. 98-03 takes the push in and 04 -09 takes the screw type. I knew about the 4.7 but haven't ran across an 01-04 430 in some time. Whatever it takes, just replace it. I didn't mean to come across as an *** in my earlier post. It's just my deranged mind at work again!