2001 Pathfinder PCV Valve

[theppler]

I've had a look around the forum and can't find any definitive answer to where the PCV Valve is located in an '01 Pathfinder.

Is this where it is (circled in red)?

If not, what is this?

Thanks for any help

edit: I now know this is a part number 22370-4W000 called a TANK ASSY-VACUUM
Modified by theppler at 9:29 PM 9/24/2008

[slickroger]

Here is what i got from the manual hope this helps

[Buzzman]

What you have circled is definitely not the PCV.I'm not sure what it is though. I just went out and popped the hood on my 02 Pathfinder, and mine doesn't even have one of those things you circled.As for the PCV, I followed the hose to where it is supposed to be, and it's almost impossible to get to. Looking from the front of the truck into the engine bay, the left bank is underneath the intake plenum. That's where the valve is. How you are supposed to get at the thing without removing the plenum is beyond me. I couldn't reach it. Good luck.(If I'm wrong, don't hesitate to correct me).

[theppler]

Slick: thanks for the diagram. The exploded view of that PCV still doesn't make it all that obvious but it helps.

[theppler]

After getting a hold of the Nissan FAST software and going through all of their exploded views, it turns out that the red circled thing is some kind of Vacuum Tank. Kind of like a vacuum accumulator I guess.

I think you are right about the location of the PCV Buzzman. It looks like it would be quite the job to get to. What I don't understand is that in the inspection procedure in the factory service manual, it says to remove the hose while the engine is running! Am I supposed to fire up the engine with the intake plenum removed?

[Buzzman]

I was at the dealership today for an oil change (They have a quicky drive through lube facility), and while there I asked them about the PCV valve (and fuel filters).I was right about the PCV location. It's under the plenum, near the back of the valve cover. I spoke with 2 service consultants about it, and they both said they've never changed them in their shop.They didn't seem the least bit concerned about it.It's another item off of my to do list.

[theppler]

I also talked to my dealership parts/service department to ask them about the PCV valve and the guy said he has worked there 3 years and has never seen one replaced. He says it isn't an issue.

[mda185]

PCV Valve is part of the emissions control. It vents hydrocarbon vapors from the crankcase back into the intake manifold so these vapors can be burned. It is not to protect your oil from contaminants although that may be a side benefit. This was the first form of pollution control to be used on cars in the USA back in the 60's and 70's. Prior to PCV Valves, the crankcase vapors were just vented to the atmosphere.

The important thing about a PCV valve is that it only flows one way so nothing can get sucked into the engine crankcase. If the check valve should get plugged up, pressure will build up in the crankcase until it is released some other way. This usually results in oil blowing out of the dipstick tube or blown engine seals. It is a rare occurrence with modern cars because the PCV valves are better designs now. I have had the oil blowing out of the dipstick on some pre-1990 cars.

[Sparhawk]

I don't know if this thread is dead or not but to answer the 64,000.00 question Here it is and it is right under and first you have to remove So basically you have to remove the Upper Intake wich is 13 bolts plus some wires and vacum hoses then the lower intake which is 4 bolts plus 2 on a support bracket and 4 bolts holding wire supports all to reveal this litte piece of junk that never should have been hidden under there in the first place. Not a 5 min. job. You need a torque wrench, New Gasket set and the infamous PCV Valve.

[Chuck Tribolet]

Yep, before PCV valves, the crankcase vented to atmosphere, AND got oil all over everything under the hood.
I remember how messy my parents' cars were under the hood ('50 Chevy, '60 Comet, '66 Chevelle)


Chuck