I was trying to replace my pcv in my 94 truck and in the process the rubber grommet fell in. So what is involved in removing the cover? I'm hoping it's simple and straight forward. Thank you.

 

6 cylinder (3VZE)? You'll need to remove the plenum (upper intake manifold) then remove the right valve cover. Since you were diligent enough to replace the PCV valve, you'll want to replace the lower-to-upper gasket (paper) and the valve cover gaskets (rubber and reusable, but I'm going to guess your PCV grommet broke because it was rock-hard. So replace the valve cover gaskets.)

Check the sticky's for a link to the FSM (factory service manual); it will be a big help. BEFORE you remove the plenum, take careful notes of where every vacuum line connects, and label the lines with masking tape (you don't want to be one of those folks begging for a diagram). Consider using a hair dryer or heat gun to warm up any rubber part you are removing; it slightly softens the old rubber and makes it much easier to pull off. When you replace the valve cover gasket, you will use RTV in certain spots (the FSM shows where). Before using the RTV, make sure the metal is ABSOLUTELY CLEAN. The slightest bit of oil will cause the RTV to not stick, and the gasket will leak.

Don't feel bad about the grommet; if it's as hard as I expect it was, you were never going to be able to pull it out. So lifting the plenum was in your future anyway.

Welcome to YotaTech!

 

Thanks for the reply. It was rock hard. I'd been having idle issues when applying the brakes. It seemed to me to obviously be vacuum related and cleaning/replacing the pcv seemed to be the first step. It's a 4cylinder. I'm assuming it's only the top 4 bolts that need to be removed and hoping that there isn't anything under the cover i could mess up. My manual doesn't go into any detail about gasket replacement, which I assume would cover what I'm about to attempt. Sometimes I despise my Hayes manual.

 

chances are that its gonna be trapped in the baffle that is in the valve cover.

 

Yeah, I wouldn't worry about it. It's not worth all the work.

 

X2

:wabbit2:

 

Is this implying that it's not necessary to remove the grommet?

 

I think that is what he is implying. There are sheet metal baffles in there to keep the oil from making its way though the PCV. These baffles should retain the grommet from falling into the valve train. I am not familiar with the V6, but can you not get a hook or pick in there to fish it out with?

 

Some compressed air into the baffle (once the cover is removed!) probably would clean it out, if a small hook wouldn't.

 

Maybe someone with some VeeZee parts laying around could double check for him that the passages in the baffle are small enough to prevent the grommet from falling in.

Was it all in one piece when it fell in?

 

I have a spare 4cyl valve cover, how small is this piece? I can see if it can get through the baffle.

 

It's the 4cylinder. I'm hesitant to think that it fell entirely in one piece. It was hard as rock and wouldn't surprise me if it crumbled to some extent. So my course of action is labeling and removing all hoses, removing cover, clean it like there's no tomorrow, apply sealant and gasket, new grommets and reseal?

 

if you're up for a nice little diy, then by all means pull the valve cover clean it and replace the seals and gromets. If the pcv grommet was that bad, than what condition are the rest of the seals? Since you'll have the cover off, see if you can get the broken piece out.

 

The gasket is just rubber, and there are 2 "half moon" peices that fit in the front and rear part of the head, just under the valve cover - it's pretty easy. The gasket kit should also come with 4 new rubber/metal washers for the 4 cap nuts that secure the cover in place.

No special sealants needed - it's all rubber pieces that clamp down tight.

 

I hav my PCV grommet break and fall in the baffle before, no biggie. Just pull the cover and shake em out the PCV hole. I couldn't find a way to get them out from the inside of the cover.... probably a good thing! While you're in there you may as well check your valve adjustments as well as the condition of your timing chain and guides. Just a thought.

 

22re valve cover removal is no big deal. Label the hoses or just take a picture. If you're new to your truck and want to wrench on it you'll find the valve cover will be coming off all the time anyway!