Pentastar V6 Durango/Grand Cherokee PCV valve location sucks

[Bighorn2500]

81,679 miles and the PCV valve was changed tonight on the wife’s 2018 Durango. I gotta say whoever designed the twist lock spot on the backside near the firewall should be fired. I literally had to break the tab off the old one as I could not release the tab and turn counterclockwise at the same time. Not to mention aligning the new one into the keyway turn lock by feel of hand.

FCA Manual says100k replace, Haynes maintenance/service says 80k. The old one you could still shake and hear/feel it moving a little bit so it was probably due for a new one. $20 part and thirty minutes of work but what a PITA to get to.

 

[wwillson]

What did the used PCV valve look like? My 2014 Durango has 145,000 miles and the PCV valve has never been changed.

 

[tnt_motorsports]

Good news is the factory installs it before the engine is installed so they don’t worry about it. If I had a dollar for every time I’ve been through what you describe I’d be on a small island somewhere in the Caribbean.

Just my $0.02

 

[Kira]

Is it in a valve cover?
Are all applications of the 3.6l the ame?

 

[PWMDMD]

Always amazed by how little thought goes into servicing the vehicle during design even though the manufacturer has to pay to repair many of these items over a significant period of time/mileage. Seems like stepping over dollars to pick up pennies but I'm sure the pencil pushers have evaluated this and it's still cheaper to favor cost reduction at the manufacturing level vs the warranty level. On the other hand, this may give these companies too much credit and this practice very well could be costing them more than they save. It seems like no company is all that competent these days.

 

[Bighorn2500]

What did the used PCV valve look like? My 2014 Durango has 145,000 miles and the PCV valve has never been changed.

After I drained the approximate tablespoon or so of oil out of it I ran my finger inside and there was some build up of material inside not much though. I could see how enough build up could cog it up and prevent it from functioning properly. I guess for me its peace of mind so the PM service work is done.

And yes it is on the back of the valve right side valve cover.

 

[PWMDMD]

For everyone’s enjoyment. Seems like a ridiculous scenario related to what I said above.

 

[Deamos]

For everyone’s enjoyment. Seems like a ridiculous scenario related to what I said above.

That's just.. Insane is the word that comes to my mind. Ridiculous too, but neither feels adequate.

 

[CarbonSteel]

@Bighorn2500 - thanks for posting this. I just bought a new one for my JLUR with the 3.6L and I could tell it was going to be a beast to change. Either the PCV hose going to the catch can is leaking or the PCV is--changing both to eliminate either of them.

 

[MattPersman]

Better than the early ones that took 3 screws to remove