PCV valve replacement extreme cost

The PCV is a $6 item and easily replaced, taking no more than 30 minutes. A 22mm box wrench is all that is needed. Even the clamp can be squeezed with finger pressure and released.

 

First off, a PCV valve replacement is not likely to solve your oil consumption issue.

Next, I think you've been talking to an unscrupulous and/or VERY unknowledgeable service writer. The PCV valve is about halfway down the front face of the engine, below the intake manifold. You can access it either from above or below

From above, if the air filter box is removed, you can reach it. Kinda blind but doable. From below, you need to raise the front (safely), remove the engine underpanel, then just reach up. There's some hybrid battery cables kinda in the way, but with a little unclipping access is not bad. @NutzAboutBolts video for this method, pinned at top of third gen maintenance forum. You need a deep socket and a decent ratchet wrench. Swivel head and longer handle is helpful.

The Repair Manual I believe advises to remove the intake manifold for access. This for sure works, makes access a walk-in-the-park, but is overkill. The Repair Manual also has guidance for testing the valve, but really, for the price (as @Georgina Rudkus mentioned), might as well just replace it.

I would definitely clean the complete EGR circuit, and the intake manifold, and install an Oil Catch Can, the latter spliced into the hose between the PCV valve and intake manifold.

That's a modest consumption rate, but if it's just started doing that, indicates something has "shifted". Piston oil rings starting to stick, chronic over-heat due to near-clogged EGR circuit. Carbon contributed by the PCV valve dumping into the intake manifold.

Check the condition of the EGR pipe, that runs between EGR valve and intake manifold. There's an @NutzAboutBolts video on this too, same location.

Some good threads to read:

EGR & Intake Manifold Clean Results | PriusChat

Oil Catch Can, Eliminate that knock! | PriusChat

Some Repair Manual info:

 

After doing all the above you might want to try the clean up described in this link
Oil burning rate of increase | PriusChat

 

The PCV is unlikely to be the cause of your problem, but you can try replacing it anyway. The valve is a pain to reach from the bottom and it isn't much better from the top. At your mileage, removing the intake manifold and cleaning the EGR ports is a good idea so you may want to do both; removing the intake manifold makes PCV valve access a lot easier.

 

I agree that the PCV valve might not be the issue. I installed the OCC.

 

Well, they also have to remove the hybrid battery and replace the rear wheel bearings to get to that pesky PCV valve....
JUST KIDDING! They don't HAVE to do the bearings!!!
Are you not able to do this yourself?
You could get an EGR Cooler off ebay, or junk yard, clean it out good and have a shop install that and give you the
original one to clean for next time, or sell. I'm certain someone here would buy a CLEANED cooler!

 

I brought my 2012 Prius V to get the recall software fix and a few routine maintenance things done at my dealership. They said that the PCV needed replacement and quoted $380 to do that. I've never had the PCV replaced. Is that something that I should expect needs to be done by now? I am not mechanical so won't be doing anything myself on the car, so I need to get a shop to do the work. Is the estimate way out of line?

(I've never had outrageous estimates (that I know of) from this dealership before, but it's under new ownership now.)

 

welcome!
no, but you haven't told us how many miles are on her.

 

PCV is positive crankcase ventilation, and the PCV valve is a part that can be replaced. It’s not a scheduled maintenance item, but replacing it could be appropriate if there were signs of trouble, or as part of repairing a drivability or emission control problem. Did the dealer explain the reason for their recommendation?

In the Advanced Emissions and Driveability Diagnosis (T972) training book, Toyota writes:

Because PCV operation is factored into the proper operation of the feedback control system, problems with the PCV system may disrupt the normal air/fuel ratio balance. A plugged PCV valve will prevent the normal flow of Crankcase vapors into the engine and can result in a richer than normal air/fuel mixture. A plugged Crankcase breather hose may cause the engine to consume oil because of the increased level of Crankcase vacuum.

In addition, depending on the location of the fresh air breather hose, a nonfunctional valve or restricted vacuum hose can cause oil contamination in the air cleaner housing or throttle bore coking. Always suspect and check the PCV system if you find traces of oil in the air intake system. [...]

Although there are no mandatory maintenance intervals for the PCV system, periodically check the system for a plugged or gummed PCV valve and damaged hoses. Replace suspect components as necessary. Since PCV flow rates differ between vehicle models, it is important to use the correct replacement PCV valve to ensure proper operation. [...]​

For a 2012 Prius v, the PCV valve itself is an inexpensive part (ventilation valve sub-assembly, 12204-37010, list price $6.55; parts catalog Figure 12-01, Ventilation Hose). Toyota’s Flat Rate Manual allows 0.6 labor hours for replacing it; Chilton’s estimate is 0.8–0.9 hours. An independent repair shop could do this job, if it needs to be done, but as mentioned above, be sure they use the correct Toyota valve, not a universal one.

 

Yeah, $380 is pure robbery. It is not "trivial" to get to the pcv valve, but not that hard either. It would take me an hour end-to-end. I'm not sure which I'd prefer:

1. Either raise the car and remove the engine underpanel and reach up. I believe it's a 22mm long socket you need.

2. Take off the air box from above, leave the intake manifold in place, and just reach down and over. It is vastly easier if you remove the intake manifold, but I don't think strictly necessary.

Watch @NutzAboutBolts video on this (he does it from below), pinned at top of 3rd gen Maintenance Forum.

 

Thank you for your responses! I will go to have it checked from an independent shop.

There's only 50,000 miles on the car
Yes, oops. I meant to say the PCV valve. They said it was "dirty" and "clogged," but didn't need immediate replacement.

(Also, I asked for the cost to make a spare key: $480! I think it was under $300 a couple of years ago from the dealership.)

 

That's very early to be thinking about changing the PCV valve, and seems symptomatic of dealership that's try to hussle you. Just for the record, they all are, but that's balder than most. And asking $380...

I would talk to the service manager, let him/her know you'd like to stick to the Toyota proscribed maintenance, don't appreciate being pushed to do superfluous extras. If they're very non-committal, check out other dealerships.

Strike two...

 

A lot of places just go by what they grew up hearing. But if you get out the owners manual and look,
it will tell what is scheduled, for the most part.
Average age of front brake pads was about 20,000 miles. I changed mine at 139,000.
My rears are worn about 1/2 way, at 166,000 miles.
So, it's best to look at the what the manual says more than what someone tells you. 95% of the time anyways!

 

Yeah there is no interval for the PCV valve, in the schedule. I think a lot of them go the life span of the vehicle. And again, the part is under $10, and it's an hour's labour at most.

 

You can likely find a reputable locksmith that can make you a spare SKS Key for ~$200. That’s what I did.

 

If you lived in Portland, we could handle that at a MeetUp.

I’ve replaced my PCV, and no way do you need to replace or even remove the valve cover. I’d get the quote in writing and then send it to the Toyota District office, and the owner of the dealership. I had a service advisor tell me a transmission oil change would cost $350 because they had to flush the torque converter. I told him that a Prius doesn’t have a torque converter. So he told me they still have to flush fluid through the transmission cooling lines. I told him the Prius doesn’t have transmission cooling lines. Still, he persisted. They just want to stick with people they can lie to. That’s why we come to priuschat and form meetups.

 

Some cars do have transmission coolers, and do required a special flush after some procedures. But not the Prius. And it begs the question: where do they get these guys? It's really sad.

Here for example, a 2010 Honda Pilot Shop Manual page:

 

The dealers have manuals which quote the labor rates based on the car model. These clowns know this; they’re trying to cheat people.

For instance, on most cars, replacing spark plugs takes less than half an hour. But I’m sure the Prius shop rate is two hours; it’s way harder than a normal car. Bet they won’t get THAT quote wrong!

 

You win some, you lose some. Some manufacturers are more generous on labor times than others. As an example, Toyota is usually reasonable or generous. Honda is ridiculously stingy.

Don’t you want the guy working on your car to be appropriately (or well) compensated?