What to do when the PCV valve will not budge!?

[P_Code_Killer]

I was checking my PCV hose for leaks and decided to check out the valve itself. The wire harness for ignition coils with igniter was in the way of my turning the hexagonal shaped part of the valve. I had to undo that part and pull out all the coils w/ igniters out and the wire harness to try to turn that hexagonal nut looking part of pcv valve. It's stuck like nothing else and there's little clearance to work. Am I making this harder than it needs to be? Oh yeah, I used a few wrenches but they'd usually always end up hitting the harness so that's why I took it off. I finally used this two ended wrench has a hole/square shape that slips in place to grip it better and it broke the thing in half! WD-40'ed it for attempt 2 later today or tomorrow. Help?

[Pineapple]

You sure you have a PCV valve? Many Toyota engine don't use one.
That could be just the connection for the hose. Put a pen in it and see if it go through. Don't drop it inside.

[P_Code_Killer]

Originally Posted by Pineapple

You sure you have a PCV valve? Many Toyota engine don't use one.
That could be just the connection for the hose. Put a pen in it and see if it go through. Don't drop it inside.

I had some time to take some pics today. Here is the PCV valve for anyone who doesn't know and is interested. I'm without a a box-end wrench of the size I need so it's off to the store to buy one to attempt removal again.

Overview of PCV valve with disconnected hose:


PCV Valve: "I'm ready for my close up Mr. DeMille!"


Yes, I am also an aspiring famous photographer, thank you! Did I mention I was slightly insane?

Ha ha, anyhow, the whitish coloring around the thread where it goes into the cylinder head was there a little bit when i started so I tried to pick at it with a screwdriver lightly and that's why it's around the edges. Probably not the best idea but it didn't do it too hard or for long. The manual says you can take this thing out so I think I'm gonna go for it to change it out or at least inspect it as I'm suspect of it. No harm right?

[jons02gts]

try a deep well socket and ratchet combo, instead of a wrench next time.

[akley88]

u can also remove the brackts for the coilsto give ur self more room.

[jons02gts]

good point ak.

[subspec]

Deepwell is your bestfriend. Also only looks like a valve cover breather line.

[Pineapple]

Originally Posted by subspec

Deepwell is your bestfriend. Also only looks like a valve cover breather line.

That's what I told him. Let see if we're wrong.

[cbcelica]

yeah its a pcv valave. i replaced mine when i rebuilt my motor. i use a 22-24 mm box end combo wrench its about 16 inches long(snap-on) for leverage. theres sealent on the threads so its in there really good... good luck.

[P_Code_Killer]

Success! After an extended trip to my local Auto Zone, I purchased a new PCV valve to replace the old PCV valve. Here's some info that may help someone else. The size of the deep socket I bought was 19mm. I fit it onto my borrowed 3/8" ratchet. This was the initial problem as we never had the right size due to not working on cars (until now!).

So I got the old PCV valve off but not without another fight! First, I try as I did before and it's still not budging! The car is rocking back and forth. I go back in and ask if they have anything to spray it with and they lend me a can of their spray at no charge. Sweet. Unfortunately, I forgot to take note of the name but it wasn't WD-40 that's for sure. So I let it sit for a bit then go at it again. Now, it's absolutely freeeeeezing outside the whole time. Anyhow, wrestling with it again, and ...and... it loosens! OMFG. Ha ha, yeah it was that big a deal to me. Take it out, and see it's coated in sludge. Great...but I heard to shake it to see it's condition and did hear a click inside, but the new one had a more pronounced clicking.

Some guy pulled up and asked what I was upto and I told him. He was smoking a blunt! I kid you not. LOL. He offered, I declined. Anyhow he tells me the threads are a little different cause the new PCV valve sticks out a little further and also says I should get some teflon tape for it. So I go back on and ask about the tape. One not so helpful employee gives me the wrong price and doesn't answer my questions well; I don't know if we already have some of this so I call and we do but I'm told also it might not be wise to use the tape. Another cooler guy at Auto Zone tells me the tape is fine and he'll put it on. Then I see that it's easy as pie, but hey I'm new and now I know. The new PCV valve is installed. The car seemed to fire up right away. The best I've ever heard it start in the cold! Thanks for the advice.

Originally Posted by Pineapple

That's what I told him. Let see if we're wrong.

Just cause you were ribbing me on my other thread, I'm gonna say it: You were wrong.

[akley88]

i should probably do mine since its at 131k and just about everything is the oem stuff on the car.

[cbcelica]

oh yeah ok my bad it is a 19 huh? cool cool good job dude. and yeah ak i wanna say they are recommended every 60k???

[P_Code_Killer]

Originally Posted by cbcelica

oh yeah ok my bad it is a 19 huh? cool cool good job dude. and yeah ak i wanna say they are recommended every 60k???

Thanks and actually they had two different sizes at Autozone. Originally, the new PCV valve and socket they were trying to sell me were the 22s. When I went outside and tried the 22 socket and it was obviously too big so I had to go back in and out of the store until I got both the 19 PCV valve and 19mm socket that matched what was in there so I didn't have to buy both the 19 and 22 sockets. It was a trying process, but it ended in victory eventually.

[cbcelica]

right on

[jons02gts]

Originally Posted by P_Code_Killer

Thanks and actually they had two different sizes at Autozone. Originally, the new PCV valve and socket they were trying to sell me were the 22s. When I went outside and tried the 22 socket and it was obviously too big so I had to go back in and out of the store until I got both the 19 PCV valve and 19mm socket that matched what was in there so I didn't have to buy both the 19 and 22 sockets. It was a trying process, but it ended in victory eventually.

what they probably did, was ignore the block designation letter, they tried that with me numerous times due to their ignorance. for the "GT 1zz-fe" the block designation is "R", for the "GTS 2zz-ge" the block designation letter is "Y" just something to remember if you have/do an engine swap.

[P_Code_Killer]

Originally Posted by jons02gts

what they probably did, was ignore the block designation letter, they tried that with me numerous times due to their ignorance. for the "GT 1zz-fe" the block designation is "R", for the "GTS 2zz-ge" the block designation letter is "Y" just something to remember if you have/do an engine swap.

My reply to you is sort of an excuse to post my long-overdue wrap-up to this photo-journalistic escapade. Ha ha ha, but seriously, that's good info to know about the block designation letter. The first guy just grabbed the 22mm, causing my initial problem by not asking about my model or anything. The second guy was asking about my VIN #, which I gave him and I believe he said it should have been either Y or R, but guess what mine was T, and I have the GT, so that doesn't exactly match up with what you said block designation was for the GT model ("R"), so I'm guessing their VIN lookup is not related or if it is, then they were just reading for GTS. I just told him give me the other one since they only had two anyhow. Ha. Oh well, I got the right one in the end, and I'm ready to post the installed PCV pic just for mostly what I would say is somewhat-OCD completion-type purposes!

Here's the goods!

Wrapped up with some bright white thread tape, the new PCV valve is installed!

[jons02gts]

Originally Posted by P_Code_Killer

The second guy was asking about my VIN #, which I gave him and I believe he said it should have been either Y or R, but guess what mine was T, and I have the GT, so that doesn't exactly match up with what you said block designation was for the GT model ("R"), so I'm guessing their VIN lookup is not related or if it is, then they were just reading for GTS.

now for the "T", that was it something like for example, mine looks like JTDDY32T. are those the "T" that you are referring to?

[akley88]

is the car running a better now

[P_Code_Killer]

Originally Posted by jons02gts

now for the "T", that was it something like for example, mine looks like JTDDY32T. are those the "T" that you are referring to?

That's the one. The 8th spot was asked for but he says he was looking for a Y, so I showed him my insurance card with the T to show him I was telling him the right thing.

Originally Posted by akley88

is the car running a better now

For this issue I'd say yes for now, and I'm glad that damn MIL light is off again, but now I have a possible head gasket leak that I'm trying to investigate in another thread!

[jons02gts]

Originally Posted by P_Code_Killer

That's the one. The 8th spot was asked for but he says he was looking for a Y, so I showed him my insurance card with the T to show him I was telling him the right thing.

yeah, just goes to confirm that they dont know. what was the sales reps expression when you showed them?