Replace Pcv Valve At 60,000 Miles?

jbeall · September 8, 2009

Hi All,

The Hayne's manual I have for my 2003 Yukon XL says that you should replace the PCV valve every 60,000 miles or 48 months, whichever comes first.

Is this really necessary or useful? Are there any benefits besides keeping the EPA folks happy that your emissions are within their requirements? I've done some searching on this and it is unclear to me whether this is really something I need to do every 60,000 miles.

-Josh

WilliamBos · September 8, 2009

Where is the PCV on these engines?? My 04 5.3L?

txab · September 8, 2009

Where is the PCV on these engines?? My 04 5.3L?

You don't have one. 'O3 down has them.

They've been replaced with something like a metered orfice.

WilliamBos · September 8, 2009

You don't have one. 'O3 down has them.

They've been replaced with something like a metered orfice.

Thank you.

2COR517 · September 8, 2009

It's like five bucks. Change it. They can get grungy and not work as well.

jbeall · September 8, 2009

It's like five bucks. Change it. They can get grungy and not work as well.

What kind of valve do I want? Just take the old one to Autozone and find one that matches? Is any valve good enough, or is there something I want to look for?

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/a...yName=PCV+Valve

dlstewart01 · September 8, 2009

If you have a fixed orifice you do not change it. You can't, its made in the valve cover. I am thinking the 03 has a fixed orifice PVC.

alwcurlz · September 8, 2009

I just went and bought a can of carb cleaner for $1.70 from Wal Mart, and sprayed it into the pcv valve while the engine runs. Cleans the pcv and tube going into the intake, as well as cleaning some of the carbon/oil buildup in the intake/plenum and intake ports.

jbeall · September 8, 2009

If you have a fixed orifice you do not change it. You can't, its made in the valve cover. I am thinking the 03 has a fixed orifice PVC.

If this thing should really be changed every 60,000 miles, and there's no way to change it if you have a fixed orifice PVC--well, that sounds bad! Are the fixed orifice PVCs better quality and will last the lifespan of the vehicle? If not, what are you supposed to do if they fail?

dlstewart01 · September 8, 2009

If you have a fixed orifice you do not change it. You can't, its made in the valve cover. I am thinking the 03 has a fixed orifice PVC.

If this thing should really be changed every 60,000 miles, and there's no way to change it if you have a fixed orifice PVC--well, that sounds bad! Are the fixed orifice PVCs better quality and will last the lifespan of the vehicle? If not, what are you supposed to do if they fail?

They don't fail.... They don't use a ball, theres no moving parts.

txab · September 8, 2009

If you have a fixed orifice you do not change it. You can't, its made in the valve cover. I am thinking the 03 has a fixed orifice PVC.

According to 2 different parts lookups, it shows '03 having replaceable PCV. Since they changed for '04, I could see where some late model '03s might have the fixed orfice. You just have to look. It's easy to distinguish between the two

dlstewart01 · September 8, 2009

If you have a fixed orifice you do not change it. You can't, its made in the valve cover. I am thinking the 03 has a fixed orifice PVC.

According to 2 different parts lookups, it shows '03 having replaceable PCV. Since they changed for '04, some '03 might have the fixed orfice. You just have to look. It's easy to distinguish between the two

I am not sure when GM made this change. It was around 2003. MS3DALE could probably come up with an answer. And its possible that GM used the replaceable fixed orifice PVCs before going to the non removable ones.

alwcurlz · September 8, 2009

If you have a fixed orifice you do not change it. You can't, its made in the valve cover. I am thinking the 03 has a fixed orifice PVC.

According to 2 different parts lookups, it shows '03 having replaceable PCV. Since they changed for '04, some '03 might have the fixed orfice. You just have to look. It's easy to distinguish between the two

I am not sure when GM made this change. It was around 2003. MS3DALE could probably come up with an answer. And its possible that GM used the replaceable fixed orifice PVCs before going to the non removable ones.

I think you're right on that. From what I've read in past about the PCV, it was originally the standard disc with spring design till 02/03? There is a TSB for those of us with the pre-PCV orifice design from the 1999 on up (GMT800 series). It is for excess oil consumption/gummy residue on throttle plate.This TSB involves putting a plug in the throttle body plate, replacing standard PCV with fixed orifice, and adjusting the TPS voltage feedback using a scanner.

jbeall · September 9, 2009

If you have a fixed orifice you do not change it. You can't, its made in the valve cover. I am thinking the 03 has a fixed orifice PVC.

If this thing should really be changed every 60,000 miles, and there's no way to change it if you have a fixed orifice PVC--well, that sounds bad! Are the fixed orifice PVCs better quality and will last the lifespan of the vehicle? If not, what are you supposed to do if they fail?

They don't fail.... They don't use a ball, theres no moving parts.

Well, sounds like fixed-orifice is the way to go. Can I get a fixed orifice valve in place of the standard PCV valve? That would be one less thing I have to worry about changing on a regular basis.

dlstewart01 · September 9, 2009

The fixed orifice is just a hole in the housing with no check valve. If you want to retrofit non fixed orifice vehicle go to your dealer and ask for the fixed orifice PCV and make sure when you get it it does not rattle. Install in place of the old valve.

Here are the P/N's ACDelco #CV948C, GM#12572717, AC Delco #12572717