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PCV Valve question

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by smileymom, Feb 22, 2011.

  1. smileymom

    smileymom New Member

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    I am trying to figure out whether this is one of those things my dealership just likes to push. I had the PCV valve replaced around 60K, then at the next service they wanted to do it again (not reading the records that they had already done it). Then at 80K they wanted to do it again, I declined. Today it was in for 85K service and they said "the PCV valve is dirty and needs to be replaced." The advisor told me after the initial replacement at 60K the interval is 20-25K miles. Thoughts?
     
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    For the PCV valve, 60K mile replacement intervals is quite sufficient.
     
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  3. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    I replaced mine at 113k miles. It looked like this.

    [​IMG]
     
  4. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    The PCV valve is not easy to get to. Basically, there is no point in performing the labor to inspect it. Your service advisor is lying about the condition and replacement interval, unfortunately.
     
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  5. FirstFlight

    FirstFlight Member

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    Can anyone tell me what tools I need to replace this and if there are any pics or other information to aid me along?
     
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Does anyone know if there's anything that actually deteriorates on the Postitive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve, or does it just get gummed up. In past I've seen a lot of PCV valves, which were basically a spring and ball bearing captured in a cylinder, that could be restored to new condition by a shot of carbueretor cleaner.

    Maybe the spring weakens though. Or there is some plastic component that deteriorates. Or the whole concept is different, more complicated and subject to wearing out, in the current Prius PCV valve?
     
  7. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    You will need a 10mm socket with an extension to unbolt the air intake and engine wiring harness, and a 19mm box end wrench for the PCV. There is just barely enough clearance for a GearWrench-type ratcheting box end wrench. The combination of age and gasket material on the threads makes this a little stubborn to get out. It is located on the back corner of the engine near the inverter cooling pump reservoir.

    There are two ways to do this: remove the windshield wipers and cowl, as described here or following the factory service manual which involves removing the intake. Given that you have a 2005 with unknown service history, I suggest the latter, as that will let you inspect and clean the throttle body and MAF sensor.
     
  8. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    The valve is of traditional design and just gets gummed up with the flow of HC gases through it. You could clean it if you want, but it only costs $6.78 so it is not a big deal to replace.
    http://www.trademotion.com/partloca...rius&year=2005&catalogid=1&displayCatalogid=0
     
  9. goku

    goku Junior Member

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    When people say they're removing the air intake in order to get to the PCV valve, I have to think they mean just the air box and not the actual intake manifold because I just replaced the PCV on an '05 Prius and I didn't have to remove the intake manifold when replacing that valve.
     
  10. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    "When people say they're removing the air intake in order to get to the PCV valve, I have to think they mean just the air box..."
    Correct, just the engine air filter housing and the wiring harness that runs along the engine valve cover.
     
  11. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    This guide will walk you through the PCV removal and installation, and it is totally doable; major kudos to the person who originally wrote it and posted it here on PC.

    I replaced the PCV for the first time when I had replaced the sparkplugs (120,631 miles). The original PCV sounded fine. It still made the metallic "clack - clack," from the metal ball moving up and down, as I shook the PCV.

    Good luck.
     

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