Warning for PCV replacement

[warriorwagner]

I changed my PCV and grommet today and almost had an issue. The PCV was hard to get out, had to use pliers but it came out. It was in rough shape, but still moved internally. When I tried to remove the grommet, it was dry and broke into pieces and fell into the engine. I almost sh$t myself!!! It took 10 minutes with needle nose pliers and a flat tip to get all the pieces out. The new grommet went in with no issues but the new PCV was not easy but do-able.

Hope this helps the next newbie when they change theirs.

Warrior

 

[RunnerPDX]

Had the exact same thing happen to me... rigged up a narrow hose to the shop vac and sucked the broken pieces out.

 

[eplanajr]

Happens to 15 out of 12 people that do that grommet swap...

 

[StreetCreeper]

I changed my PCV and grommet today and almost had an issue. The PCV was hard to get out, had to use pliers but it came out. It was in rough shape, but still moved internally. When I tried to remove the grommet, it was dry and broke into pieces and fell into the engine. I almost sh$t myself!!! It took 10 minutes with needle nose pliers and a flat tip to get all the pieces out. The new grommet went in with no issues but the new PCV was not easy but do-able.

Hope this helps the next newbie when they change theirs.

Warrior

Had the exact same thing happen to me... rigged up a narrow hose to the shop vac and sucked the broken pieces out.

Don't sweat it too much. There should be a trap inside to prevent the grommet chunks from getting down into the engine.

 

[StreetCreeper]

Happens to 15 out of 12 people that do that grommet swap...

I head it happens to 124.7% of 4Runner owners...

 

[Brique]

Yup. Same here. Felt like I was playing "Operation!"

 

[eplanajr]

I head it happens to 124.7% of 4Runner owners...

60 percent of the time, it works every time.

 

[seabun]

I'm planning on doing this this weekend; my pcv is looking rough. Will go slow and steady when approaching the grommet!

 

[pluton]

And how many of us, having experienced the horror of the little pieces of hardened synthetic rubber falling into the engine, will change that grommet every, oh,...say...2 years or so, while the grommet is still pliable?
Anyone? It's coming up to 2 years for mine. we'll see......

 

[TheDurk]

Well, I don't know if I was lucky or good, but this is how I did it. On a warm engine (I figured that would make it easier), I took a seal pick that had a short right angle at the end, an "L", and worked it around the inside pulling up, getting the grommet to move slightly all the way around. Then I pulled hard, and the whole thing flew up in the air about 20 feet when it came loose--no pieces left behind. YMMV.

I guarantee it was factory original--I am original owner and only wrench to touch this truck since the first dealer check-up.

 

[IBallEngineer]

Well, I don't know if I was lucky or good, but this is how I did it. On a warm engine (I figured that would make it easier), I took a seal pick that had a short right angle at the end, an "L", and worked it around the inside pulling up, getting the grommet to move slightly all the way around. Then I pulled hard, and the whole thing flew up in the air about 20 feet when it came loose--no pieces left behind. YMMV.

I guarantee it was factory original--I am original owner and only wrench to touch this truck since the first dealer check-up.

I'm pretty sure it's because you changed your 02 sensor!

:violin:

 

[warriorwagner]

I'm just glad I wasn't the only one with this issue. My engine was warm too, but didn't matter as I'm sure it was the original piece.

Glad others will learn from my misfortune.

Warrior

 

[Ol'Blue]

I cooked mine in a parts washer and that helped allot. Now getting it back in once the Valve Cover was on the truck was another story.

Blue