PCV Valve stuck

[DGreatest]

I have a 1998 SOHC. I pulled straight up on the T shaped connector with the
hoses and it came off no problem but the PCV Valve is still sitting in my truck.

I've tried WD-40, pliers, wiggling it, etc. It's not coming loose. I was thinking of just cutting off that black plastic lock that surrounds it, squeezing doesn't seem to be working. Would that be ok? Also, what are the chances the bottom hose comes lose from the engine? It seems like I'm pulling really hard and would hate if that happened. Has that happened to anybody?

Thanks for any insight guys.

 

[rileyrs]

try to pry it out with a screw driver. or get some vice grips, and rip it out of there.

 

[RickOTR]

I just broke the plastic clip that holds the PCV valve on to the tube and have never had any problems with the PCV valve coming loose. The clip has teeth on it like a zip tie so you need to lift up on one end and pull down on the other end to seperate it (POS of a design). You cannot just push in on the clip it won't work.

 

[2000StreetRod]

dreading the task

I bought my PCV valve this morning. I've been dreading the task of replacing it because of the location between the firewall and the lower intake manifold. Now I learn from you all that it's even worse because it's not only hard to get to but won't come out. At least I now know that the T on top is not part of the PCV valve. I suspected that I had bought the wrong part from Advance Auto because it didn't have a T on top of it.

I read somewhere that manufacturers started "hiding" the PCV valves because vehicle owners were removing and defeating them.

 

[RockyMtnHigh]

I bought my PCV valve this morning. I've been dreading the task of replacing it because of the location between the firewall and the lower intake manifold. Now I learn from you all that it's even worse because it's not only hard to get to but won't come out. At least I now know that the T on top is not part of the PCV valve. I suspected that I had bought the wrong part from Advance Auto because it didn't have a T on top of it.

I read somewhere that manufacturers started "hiding" the PCV valves because vehicle owners were removing and defeating them.

I don't think that many owners want to defeat the PCV. Crankcases build up pressure and need a way to vent. The old way was a breather cap in the valve cover...bad for the environment and would usually lead to a pine tree air freshener hanging from rear view mirror. Bad. Just bad. Nobody wins.

The closed system needs the PCV valve to function properly. Emissions testing would detect a missing valve. The constant CEL would also be a problem.

The manufacturers are making these things harder to find and replace because they want the service revenue. I remember when I could change my air filter in 20 seconds by turning a wing nut and lifting the cover. Now I need a 10mm socket, driver and a flex extension...and 20 minutes to collect all the tools and do the work...

 

[2000StreetRod]

PCV valve retention

I don't think that many owners want to defeat the PCV. . .
The manufacturers are making these things harder to find and replace because they want the service revenue. I remember when I could change my air filter in 20 seconds by turning a wing nut and lifting the cover. Now I need a 10mm socket, driver and a flex extension...and 20 minutes to collect all the tools and do the work...

Found the below in an old post http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=167128&page=2 :

By EPA mandate, manufacturers are now required under OBDII to guarantee that the PCV valve remains attached to the engine. IIRC, this new rule was phased in during 2001/2002 or thereabouts. A vehicle manufacturer can either:
use the PCM to monitor the actual flow rate using a flowmeter or other measuring device; or
provide a "positive retention" mounting method for the PCV valve.
Ford and many other manufacturers use the second method because it is cheaper, easier and should be more reliable. Unfortunately for us, the new rule means that the days of a painless, 1-minute PCV valve installation are probably over. To add insult to injury, the cost of the positive retention valve has roughly tripled from that of the old push in type.

 

[Tavery1]

I had the same problem this morning, took a ton of prying on the valve itself, ended up having to take off the plastic cover so I could get that extra little bit of room. Putting it back in was just as much of a pain.

 

[barroncrwfrd]

I don't think that many owners want to defeat the PCV. Crankcases build up pressure and need a way to vent. The old way was a breather cap in the valve cover...bad for the environment and would usually lead to a pine tree air freshener hanging from rear view mirror. Bad. Just bad. Nobody wins.

The closed system needs the PCV valve to function properly. Emissions testing would detect a missing valve. The constant CEL would also be a problem.

The manufacturers are making these things harder to find and replace because they want the service revenue. I remember when I could change my air filter in 20 seconds by turning a wing nut and lifting the cover. Now I need a 10mm socket, driver and a flex extension...and 20 minutes to collect all the tools and do the work...

Personally I am a firm believer that ALL automotive design engineers should be REQUIRED to work as an auto mechanic for a minimum of 3 years before being allowed anywhere near the design software.