[2TZFZE]

When I removed the passenger seat to get at my engine I found oil staining all around the PCV valve. Is the PCV valve supposed to be tight tight in the grommet... i.e not able to wiggle it around? I was able to pull the PCV valve out the grommet without any real effort. I ordered a new valve but forgot the grommet... whoops. Have others of you seen oil staining around the PCV valve like this? I'll check my PCV return line tomorrow for flow. My engine is running a little lean these days (LTFT @ +10-15). I'm wondering if this little grommet is the source of a vacuum leak. Oil+air flows out when crankcase pressures up, but leaks air in causing a lean condition when crankcase pressure is low??? Unfortunately I'll have to wait for a week (and pay $8 in shipping) for a $4 grommet to test my theory.

I noticed that Cmh1129 had a photo of the same staining in his very helpful Valve Cover Gasket post.

 

[2TZFZE]

PCV value has suction because I can feel it pull when I put it on my finger. When I popped the oil cap off there was no change in idle, suggesting a (serious?) vacuum leak. Turns out one of the local parts stores has a grommet in stock (it's the same part used on a hundred other yotas), so I'll go get that tomorrow. Hopefully that gets my oil leak and fuel trim fixed with one $3 part.

I'm a little surprised that my idle didn't change... maybe I have another vacuum leak somewhere else... Hmm

 

[Aquafae]

@2TZFZE

I'm having the same problem.

How did it work? Did you fix it?

Are there any tricks you have to do to depressurize the system or not let air in or anything complicated (other than getting to all the bolts! lol) or can you just pull it out and replace it and pop it back in?

Cheers!

 

[2TZFZE]

Yeah, just pull out the plug and grommet... not a big deal. Just be careful with the old grommet so that it doesn't fall apart (and into the crankcase) when pulling it out.

I tried to get some feedback from other previa folks about what happens when they removed the oil filler cap when the van was running. I haven't pulled it in a while, but I remember no change in idle and pretty substantial airflow (and a little smoke) out of the cap. I was curious if positive pressure in the crank was normal (for the SC vans).