So I was doing valve cover on my 86 v6 today, and started to put it back together when I believe I lost the elbow and something else from the car side of engine, not trunk side. is this important because my car might not of even had it before I started I cant remember. It seems I'm missing stuff

end of tube where it connects to airfilter?


middle tube runs across fire wall, connects to pcv valve? and air filter tube


where the pcv should be plugged in?


tube that connects from air filter to other tube somehow?

no, that is the fresh air breather for the rear valve cover, it takes filtered air from your air intake. The PCV Valve connects on the front valve cover (well, front when you are looking at the engine, rear of the car), it goes to engine manifold vacuum under your intake

so is it important because I dont think it ever had it since I bought it.

This is where it goes. This is the FRONT side of the engine. The open end of the tube connects to the rubber tube that connects the throttle body to the air cleaner can.



Here is the PCV valve. It is to the left of the oil filler cap. To test it take it out of the rubber grommet and shake it. It should rattle. A second test is to with the engine running, take it out and cover the hole in it's bottom with your finger. You should feel fairly strong suction and the idle should drop when you do it. Note the ECM will adjust the idle speed back up after you cover it so you are only looking for the drop right after you cover it. Idle speed drops when the hole is covered and has good vacuum on your finger and rattles = a good functioning PCV valve.

The thing to the left of the filler cap is the PCV valve. The PCV valve connects intake manifold vacuum to the crankcase. That sucks out the oil vapors, fuel vapors, water vapors and whatever other vapors collects in the crankcase. PCV is good for a street engine. The other tube allows clean air from the intake tube to enter the crankcase to help sweep out the nasties.

[This message has been edited by phonedawgz (edited 04-24-2011).]

It's not critical for engine function in that the engine will not blow up if you don't run it. You will probably smell that nasty, oily vapor odor that comes from inside a hot running engine though. It does not hurt anything at all to hook it up.

quote Originally posted by Hudini: It's not critical for engine function in that the engine will not blow up if you don't run it. You will probably smell that nasty, oily vapor odor that comes from inside a hot running engine though. It does not hurt anything at all to hook it up.

it is not critical yes... if you do not run in dusty conditions. not having it on will allow dirt to enter the engine's crankcase. I have noticed my engine gets very dusty where I live so where I am I need it. It will not blow out of that hole, only suck in. I would reccomend hooking it up, or throwing a breather in there with a built in filter.