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Replace PCV valve?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by maximusdec, Mar 13, 2017.

  1. maximusdec

    maximusdec Member

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    Is the PCV valve a must routine replace item? My prius burns oil but that seems to be pretty standard for 200K prius. Do I need to replace the item if nothing wrong with it?
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    absolutely not. i think if you shake it, and can hear the rattle, it's fine.
     
  3. maximusdec

    maximusdec Member

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    That's what I was thinking. I am not even going to bother taking it out. Pain in the nice person to get to... was reading something that it was a 60K routine item replacement...which seems kind of odd
     
  4. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    I seem to remember my dealer offering to replace the the one in my Prius for just the cost of the part ($11) when they replaced the plugs last year (at 106k miles?) I mentioned it in another thread, and they told me it needed replacing, and its easier to do at the same time as the plugs.
     
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    there's nothing in the manual about replacing the pcv. it's one of those items you don't touch unless you have symptoms.
     
  6. CooCooCaChoo

    CooCooCaChoo Active Member

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    Its basically a spring loaded valve that shouldn't fail unless its really really old. I changed mine when I did spark plugs when I first bought my Prius since it involved moving the harness out of the way.
     
  7. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    How would you know whether anything is wrong with the PCV valve if you don't remove it to at least see if you can hear a rattle when you shake it?

    If the valve is clogged then sludge will form in the engine. However you can't easily see that without removing the valve cover.

    I would say the valve is way past due changing, at 200K miles on the odometer.
     
  8. maximusdec

    maximusdec Member

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    By the symptoms of a bad PCV valve...if toyota doesn't recommend changing it, not gona touch it.
     
  9. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    What do you think the symptoms of a bad PCV valve are?
     
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  10. maximusdec

    maximusdec Member

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  11. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    1. Your OP says your Prius engine consumes oil, although you did not say how much.

    2. Your cited article in post 10 lists the first symptom to be oil consumption...

    3. Hence, after considering the above two points I would not be quick to assume the PCV valve is performing effectively.
     
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  12. maximusdec

    maximusdec Member

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    About 1qt every 3k miles. It doesn't bother me and like stated seems to be very standard on the priuses. I will check it when I do plugs in another 60K miles. Not worth the troubles.
     
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I would think if you've got a higher mileage car, it doesn't hurt to replace the pcv valve. It's a $10~25 item.
     
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  14. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    $11.88 when they replaced mine (no charge for labour since they were replacing plugs)
     
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  15. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    It is not standard, but, it is within Toyota's acceptable consumption. There is a difference.

    If you could make it so that there was no appreciable oil consumption, why wouldn't you?
     
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  16. maximusdec

    maximusdec Member

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    Because I don't feel it worth the trouble of working on it to fix something that is most likely working fine. Like I said if I am changing plugs or something, I will just swap it out to see if it makes an oil consumption difference. Other than that, I will not bother.

    I would say its pretty standard. I would like to see a 200K miles 2nd gen Prius that is not burning oil.
     
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  17. C Wagner

    C Wagner Member

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    which manual? The owner's manual? Most cars should have their PCVs changed on a regular schedule and most won't mention it in the user documents.
     
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  18. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    The Warranty and Maintenance Guide is where all the things Toyota does mention get mentioned.

    There may also be a "Maintenance" section toward the front of the Repair Manual. It may contain some remark like "oily air filter may indicate sticking PCV valve."
     
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  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    can you supply an authoritative toyota link? or at least an authoritative automotive maintenance schedule link?
     
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  20. abdullah arslan

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    At here, realized that there is an egineering flaw on prius. Normally, a PCV valve placed uprights but prius has it horizontally, so this makes liquids get out of valve after combustion. Therefore, it trigger clogging around intake manifold, and the starting point of a blown head gasket, which will occur eventually. Only solution is to install oil catch can in my view.
    This is my observation at this forum after reading lots of posts and watching like crazy

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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