Pcv grommet fell in gm 3.3

[1 SX]

Hey guys, long story short I was replacing the belt tensioner on my 91 buick 3.3 when I noticed that the pcv valve was right in sight. I tried to pull the valve out and well it came out along with 1/2 of the grommet as the other 1/2 fell in side. It has a large baffle that I can see but I can't feel the rubber grommet. The pcv is not in the valve covers but right in the middle right under the alternator. I was at it for hrs and well could not find it, and to top it off I had to reuse the old pcv and 1/2 grommet. It was a waste of time. It was spotless, and rattled like new, the rubber grommet on the other hand was dryrotted and soft. So question, I installed everything and then took the car on a very spirited 20 min run with many 4+k rpm runs. I just changed the oil a couple of days ago so it's still clean and the car feels no different. Should I be worried, what's the worst that could happen? Should I change my oil and filter again in a few hundred miles? Thanks very much and happy holidays.

 

[Rick in PA]

It may be a bit late, but the thought occurred to me that (depending on the exact situation) you may have been able to tease the old grommet piece out with a shop vac.

 

[rclint]

I would not worry about it at all, and you may have bigger foreign particles than that in there !! Treat it like it never happened, absolutely no need to change your oil early, or anything else but forget about it... don't waste your time, money, or effort on this as it's worthless, no problem...

 

[oilboy123]

I put a new grommet on my Dad's 89 3.3 engine many years back. I remember it being in a dumb spot. You put a new OE grommet back on correct?
I would not worry about the loose piece.......

 

[gathermewool]

I wouldn't worry about it. However, I also wouldn't suggest very spirited driving in situations where you're not sure if what you did might cause damage or any issues for that matter. Do you normally drive spiritedly or was there a reason for driving that way related to the grommet?

 

[1 SX]

Well no not all the time 90% of all shifts are under 2700 rpms. I was thinking that if it's going to get chewed up I want this rubber to be as small as possible so not to clog anything. I already put near 200 miles on it and it seems fine. No difference in performance or no new smells/sounds. No I did not replace the grommet yet. As it was already like 7pm and I am around 40 miles from napa/autozone with everything taken apart. I will get around to it. I don't want dirt being sucked in. Although the top half of the grommet still covers the whole..... hole with the pcv valve attached. The grommet just split in 1/2 with the top half staying with the valve and the bottom half falling in the engine.

 

[cjcride]

I would remove the cover and search for it. Replace the gasket too.

 

[rclint]

I would replace the PCV, and grommet, but no worries on the small piece that fell in, I should have made that more clear in my post.. Chances are it's probably in the baffle somewhere, if no I can't imagine it causing any problems anywhere... anyone know of any problems a piece of rubber the size of a M&M could cause ?

 

[ffhdriver]

Plugging an oil return hole?