Dropped a small piece of pcv valve grommet in valve cover

[sk72]

Hi all,

While replacing my PCV Valve today, the grommet broke and a small piece broke and fell into the valve cover . It was dark and I could not look for the small piece, I replaced the grommet and the pcv valve, fired up the car and drove over 30 miles and I did not see any problems but I am still worried if it might do any thing?

I have 98 Camry (4cyc) with 152K miles. Pep Boys recently suggested that I should replace my valve cover gasket since there is a small oil seepage. I was not very worried about it but now I am thinking I am forced to do it so they can get the small piece out of the engine. Please let me know what you guys think??

Anybody in Baltimore area performs this kinda job?? I am due for a long trip this weekend to Chicago. I have done all possible checks and repairs and the car is in exellent shape.

4 New Tires
Transmission Flush
Radiator Flush
AC Belt
4 Wheel Alignment
New Air Filter
Rear Suspension

Thanks ...

[dc_98_cam]

I vote not to worry about it.... It will probably just sit harmlessly in the top of the cylinder head until you get around to replacing the valve cover gasket.

[Qslim]

Yeah, I don't think it'll do any harm. I'd be more worried about something like a small piece of foil or metal... something that could get caught up under the cam.. A little piece of rubber will just hang out until you get to it.

[sk72]

Thanks Guys!!

I feel a lot better now. I was getting mixed reactions from a couple of my buddies, but I will have it removed when getting the gasket changed...

[marc780]

i think id rip in there later after the trip, and fish it out myself, call me cynical but i wouldnt trust anybody but myself to get it out. Also you could clean out the dirt up there while you have the cover off and very few mechanics are going to bother doing something like that.