In order to change the PCV valve do I have to take off the top part of the intake manifold? (I think it's called the intake plenum chamber but I'm not sure).

 

yes u do, u cant get enough room to change it unless u do remove it. make sure u mark all the vacuum lines so when u put it all together it will go back easier.

 

From what I've read, YES - that's why I haven't attempted it!

 

You dont need to unhook any vaccume lines.Unhook the cooling lines at the throttle body,unbolt the plenium, and hang it with a bungy cord.At the same time inspect the coolant lines on the back of the motor.This is the only way you will get to them.

 

Do a search on it. I know lot's of guys and dealers use long bent needle nose pliers.
I had mine done at the dealer once for $40.

 

dude, have fun!

not trying to be funny, this really sucks if it's stuck in there (probably) from old age it isn't gonna budge. The rubber grommet that sits between the PCV and the valve cover on mine was hard as a rock and no amount of force would dislodge it. I wound up yoinking the upper plenum along with about 30 freakin' vacuum hoses.

To make it easier in the future, get a chunk of (longer) SS braided line or at least a longer chunk of fuel line on there so you can pull it by that instead.

good time to check vacuum lines and replace any as well as clean your throttle body and intake.

 

You will have to remove the plenum (also correctly called the "upper intake manifold"). Either mark everything, or better yet, draw a simple diagram (masking tape on rubber hoses is iffy). Use a heat gun set on low (or just a hair dryer) to warm the rubber hoses; they will be a LOT easier to remove (the large PAIR hose in particular). Be very careful with the Thermal Vacuum Valve (TVV) next to the firewall (it's connected to the cannister). They get very brittle with age and any jerking on the hoses will break the nipple off (ruining the TVV).

As aa1911 hinted, your problem is really the grommet. Yours is hard as a rock, and you will have to destroy the grommet to remove the PCV valve. (Be careful; if you drop bits of the grommet on the valves you'll have to remove the valve cover to get to the bits. Heck, now would be a good time to take it off intentionally and check the valve clearance!)

The good news is that once you've put a decent grommet in there, five years from now you'll be able to change the PCV valve with long-nose pliers.

It's not so bad, there are lots of things that require removing the plenum, just take your time and get it done. After you do it the first time you'll be a pro.

 

i think the replacement PCV valve came with a fresh grommet if I remember correctly; wonder what Toyota charges for that little piece, hahaha! i think the PCV is only about $6 depending on what brand you get. Picked mine up at autozone.

I had to chop mine out piece by piece even with the plenum removed, hard as a freakin' rock. I thought for sure i was going to lose it in the valve cover but managed to successfully remove it completely.

 

Ok maybe I am wrong but on my 89 I didn't have to remove the plenum!? What year do you have?

 

Slightly off topic, but what's a good source for vacuum lines? I've searched quite a bit...

 

NAPA has some pretty decent silicone vacuum hose. Best deal though is to buy in bulk & cut to fit.

 

Ding ding ding!! This is exactly how I did it without removing the plenum! I will say tho... Its takes some creative bending and articulating into positions a japanese gymnast shouldnt even attempt, as well as a lot of foul language and name calling, and lets not foget the beer

But its still a lot quicker than pulling the plenum....

Btw... done it that way on 4 different yotas, including 2 I still own and drive.

 

delete me!

 

Is that a one six pack job or two with the plenium on?

 

too true^ tons of cursing when I did mine I'm sure!

I've just been using fuel line/hose for vacuum lines on everything, it's cheap and much stronger than stock vacuum hoses usually are. SS hoses are much more expensive but look very nice and are better protected.

I keep a few sizes of fuel hose on hand in small rolls to save trips to town, they come in super handy on a regular basis for odd projects.

 

I'll snap a pic and see if I am on the right track. Sorry I maybe wrong.

 

Thanks guys. Sounds like it will be...fun...

 

I usually go with the 12 pack to err on the safe side



Tho... that could also be the reason for all the foul language and name calling

 

Heck with it, we'll drink the beer and forget about the truck.

 

Haha... nothin gets done that way tho.... The way i do it is to, open 1st beer, take a few sips, start on truck, get old pcv valve out, finish 1st beer, then get new pcv valve in, and most of the way finished, then drink rest of beer, while looking busy incase the wife comes in to check my progress, when halfway finished last beer, finish connecting hose to upper plenum. That way you get the job done, and drink all the beer