Most Lexus owners really neglect simple PCV Valve cleaning and maintenance and this can cause some gas mileage loss. That’s why I thought I’d write up a simple DIY tutorial with complete instructions on how to clean or change your own PCV valve.
PCV stands for Positive Crankcase Ventilation. Basically, the crank pressure is vented out via the driver side valve cover. The ventilation contents contain air and oil vapors. From the stock system, the crankcase ventilation is routed back into the upper intake.
As time goes by and oil residue developed, the PCV valve doesn’t open or close properly and this may lead to engine damage especially when the backfire. The picture below demonstrate the location of the PCV valve. The pcv system is especially important when 1uzfe is being force induced such as supercharge or turbo.
Where does the crankcase pressure comes from? The are few avenues this is created. The first is obvious from the intake portion of the throttle body on the passenger side. Second would be the residual pressure from the oil pump and third would be engine heat.
The pictures below are techniques how to take out the pcv. If you plan to reuse it, make sure you use a towel and wrap around it and use a plier to pull it out. This process will take little muscle.
After you take out the pcv valve, you should also consider changing the o-ring. Aged o-ring would leak and its best time to change both at the same time. The last picture is a used and aged o-ring. Be careful when taking out the o-ring make sure you don’t break it and pieces of the o-ring fall into the valve cover. Best is to use two pliers and slow pull it out.
The pictures below are two pcv valves. On the left is a brand new pcv from a local Lexus dealer and on the right is a used with residues build up. On the far right picture below is a engine degreaser. You need a degreaser and a compressor.
Spray the degreaser on both side of the pcv and shake it few times. A compressor would be very helpful at this time. Blow out all the crankcase vent residues. Once its clean, the pcv is as good as new. However, you can also replace old pcv valve completely.
Once the pcv is cleaned, you can now re-install it back along with the new o-ring. In the middle picture is the comparison of new and old o-ring. Use some WD-40 on the o-ring and it should slide right in. After that, you can insert the pcv valve into the o-ring. Now you can connect pcv tube back and you are all set to go.
Below pictures are the normal function of pcv valve in a Lexus 1UZFE engine. Good luck and have fun.
I have a 93 Ls400 that i have been doing all the mods and replacements myself i came upon your site when i first got the car and had to replace the alternator, simple job but once finished I hit the key and nothing no clock overhead lights or anything started troubleshooting almost immediately after about two and a half months of daily fuse and wire testing and tracing of different wires to sources different mechanics coming to look at it and a couple different FaceTime conversations with CarGurus mechanic still nothing I had Came Upon Your Site by then and reading different articles every night when something all of a sudden hit me about an article i first read before the issue about one of the wires breaking in the trunk hinge causing issues to my Bittersweet relief I decided to check it real quick and sure enough that was the issue but it completely locked the car down into a security safety mode and that one wire had me hating life for a few months long story short don’t take anyone’s circumstances and experiences with a grain of salt anymore and I constantly refer back to your site for any questions I have or any uncertainty about a choice I’m making with the car everything you have on the side has some benefits one way or another I appreciate you taking all your personal time and money to do what you it is a great thing keep up the good work