FYI - Bad PCV Part from Autozone

[loystock]

I was looking for a battery at Autozone when I came across a PCV (1109) for the 97Q. I normally buy parts from IoS but this PCV looks exactly the same as the OEM. So I bought 1 (instead of 2) and tried it – TERRIBLE MISTAKE. A 15-minute job turned into 3+ hours.

The new PCV won’t go in so I put some silicon lubricant around. I went half-way thru but it won’t go all the way. When I pulled it out the top part of the PCV grommet came off and the other half fell into the crankcase. Just to be on the safe side, I removed the valve cover and extracted the remainder of the PCV grommet. I found out that there is a metal cover just below the PCV slot, probably to prevent such part from getting into the crankcase. I have to apply a liberal amount of carb cleaner before I was able to remove the remnant of the grommet.

The valve cover gasket is relatively new (2 years) and in very good condition so I recycled it. But I have to apply RTV on the half-moon side of the gasket to prevent it from falling off during installation. The RTV curing time took a while as well as getting a replacement grommet. I got an OEM grommet from Winchester Auto.

I took measurements and found the PCV from Autozone is @ 0.5mm wider than OEM which probably caused the grommet to break. I have placed an order for PCVs and other parts from IoS. In the meantime, I have to re-use the old PCV. So far, after 3 days of driving, the valve cover/gasket seems to be holding (no oil leak) even after several WOTs.

A hard lesson learned. I should have taken measurements before installing that PCV.

[Q45tech]

Many PCV share the same housing but contain a different weight valve and spring tension which must be matched to displacement.

My PCV is 20 years old and just gets annually cleaned inside with 2 different solvents and finally compressed air dried.

[maxnix]

And not only does the VH41DE have two, they are plastic.

[loystock]

I have replaced the PCVs in both 97&03Q before but these is the first time I used non-OEM PCVs. I only bought one to see if it will work, and that was a big mistake. Anyway, the OEM PCVs and other parts should be coming in from IoS next week.

Dennis, How did you clean the PCVs? I still have a couple of them sitting in my garage. I have tried carb cleaner, soak it in gasoline then soak with IPA followed by blow-dry but I cannot get it to 'rattle' like new.

[Q45tech]

BG throttle spray cleaner-soak. Then Brake cleaner to wash that out after 20 minutes. After all it is only oil and oil heat varnish................assuming oem air filter.

Obviously waiting more than 15k or year can bake it on.

[loystock]

Thanks, Dennis. I'll try to recycle OEM PCVs from now on.