PCV valves

[97tbird]

How often should the PCV valves be changed?
What are the effects/symptoms of a bad PCV vlave?
my engine is 1 97 Ford 4.6L sohc v-8?
Thanks in advance.

 

[sbc350gearhead]

Checked once a year. Replaced about every 30000 miles. Some people just clean them with throttle body cleaner, and reinstall them.

 

[Rick in PA]

Check the PCV hoses for softening or cracking too. I recently had to replace the PCV hoses on my wife's van at 60K miles. One was soft, the other starting to crack.

 

[Scotto]

I clean mine every oil change, which is usually once every 2.5 to 3.0 months. Haven't had to replace one in the last few years.

[ September 11, 2003, 12:25 AM: Message edited by: Scotto ]

 

[Toy4x4]

Symptoms:heavier than normal oil usage. Why:gases build up in the crankcase and starts forcing the oil thats lubricating the rings into the combustion chamber and out the tailpipe. If you're on a long road trip, and considering more oil is used at higher speeds to begin with, things go downhill even more quickly.
Ditto what was said above, as well. Cheap part, not worth NOT doing.

 

[MNgopher]

Fords recommended service interval on the PCV valve is 60,000 miles.

I replaced the one on my '97 F150 with the 4.6 and it was $3 and 1 minute of time. Cheap preventative maintinence.

 

[BIGJ552000]

Cleaning one to me is worthless, reason being you really do not KNOW if the spring is weak or going to break. It' s cheap insurance with a new one that the spring is back to (original) new tension.