I attempted to replace my PCV valve this past weekend when changing my oil and found it to be difficult to remove. It is situated so that it has two clamps (top and bottom of 3-4 inch rubber hose). What is the best way to remove this? The hose does not flex too much. Has anyone replaced their's yet? Info needed.

 

you don't need to replace it. its supposed to last the life of the car..

 

Trace the path taken by the blowby which exits the engine through the PCV valve. It goes through a short length of rubber hose, then through a steel tube, then another rubber hose, and then into the intake manifold. That steel tube is fastened to the intake manifold by two welded-on brackets, each having one 10mm bolt. Remove those two bolts and remove the spring-steel hose clamps at both ends of the steel tube. This will free the steel tube to move about, and you will find it easier to extract the PCV valve.

 

Wicked1044 is right and if you pull it out to check it, shake it. If the ball inside moves freely, it's fine. When I had my Toyota truck I sprayed it out once with carb cleaner and that was it. I had some mechanic tell me I needed a new one and when he replaced it my truck ran terrible. Needless to say, I was on a road trip from MA to OK and my trucks mileage was terrible because of this. Good thing I had the old one in my ash tray because I put it back in and I was running with the big boys again.

 

Thanks for the tip. However, is it true that the pcv valve should be good for the life of the car? I have always been told to replace the pcv valve with every oil change? Does this still stand true? Or is the Maxima an exception?

 

is it true????? ummm, no i just like to make stuff up.. anyways, who told you to replace it after every oil change??? lol!!!
guys here have changed theirs and them had problems with there car... are you sure you know what your takling about here??

 

A little patience and some elbow grease.

 

The people who sell oil changes also sell PCV valves. They make a nice profit on PCV valves, and encourage their customers to replace them frequently.

In my experience many PCV valves do last for the life of the car.

You may test a PCV valve by removing it from the engine and shaking it. If you feel and hear the shuttle rattling around, the valve is still good. If no rattle, soak it in solvent for 20 minutes. If still no rattle, replace it.

 

I recently replaced mine during the 60K service that I performed myself. It was very difficult to do because of the short hose. I wish I had D.B. Martins suggestion when I was doing it. I would suggest that if you are going to go through all the touble to remove and check it that you replace it, they don't cost much (under $10). I haven't had any problems since replacing it.