how often do you replace the pcv valve on a 4.2 .. i have 60k miles on my '99. i can feel a vacuum on the valve when i put my finger over it .. thanks for the input

 

Where is the darn thing at? Driver / passenger, close to what?
Have 1, only have 40k but wanna be safe.
thanks

 

passenger side valve cover almost to fire wall I had to special order from advance auto ..

 

While a new one is probably less than $5 at the parts store, you can clean it yourself if you like.

Take it out of the truck, and shake it up and down. You should feel and hear the check valve sliding up and down, making a clicking noise at both ends. If so, put it back in.

If not, and the valve feels/sounds sluggish in it's sliding motion; spray carb cleaner into it to remove the oily residue buildup in the valve. Do the shake test, and replace if it seems fine.

If the PCV is really plugged up, and you get no 'action' when shaking, just replace it. You'd probably use a couple bucks of carb cleaner to release the valve anyway!

I know it's a cheap part - but that's $5 toward something more meaningful (ie., not serviceable) somewhere else...

 

My '99 owner's guide says to replace the PCV valve at 100,000 miles.

I just picked one up at Kragen - in stock and under $5.00, and that comes with all the little plastic elbows for the various hoses. Haven't put it in yet - look like the darn thing might be hard to reach.