I've been looking at videos online on how to replace the PCV valve on my Prius, and I'm wondering if there's an alternative method than doing it from underneath the car. Is it possible to change it without needing to lift the vehicle/getting underneath it? Not to sound like i'm afraid to get my hands dirty or something, I don't have access to a jack/lift at the moment
Some have done it but you are working blind under the intake. Most would take the intake off and install a catch can while they are at it.
I just may do that, does this solve the oil burning problem? My car doesn't have it but since I do rideshare stuff I don't wanna take any chances and want this thing to last as long as possible
No it does not solve oil burning. It will reduce liquids in the intake if you buy a high quality $200 catch can and empty it regularly. The best defense with a non-burner is 5k mile oil changes. Everytime, no excuses. Pistons and rings are the Toyota solution implemented mid 2014 for new production. Once a gen3 starts burning oil a rebuild is the solution, again with new pistons and rings. Some will simply replace the rings but its an engine out procedure either way. Makes frequent oil changes look better.
Understood. I'll look into the oil catch can more and make a decision. thanks for your replies, i appreciate it.
Well that may be, but I plan to change my spark plugs, clean the intake manifold, clean the egr pipe, so I figured I might as well change pcv too just for peace of mind. I'm curious to see how dirty all of that is. The previous owner did regular oil changes at Toyota every 5000 miles, so it'll give me a good idea of how dirty it all gets.
How many miles on the odometer? Anything below 100k are a waste for changing the spark plugs. Our plugs looked good at 124K when I replaced them. Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
Since you're removing the intake manifold to clean it and the pipe, the PCV valve will be completely exposed, so no need to wonder about accessing it from above vs. below. However, if you just clean the IM and the pipe, you've completely wasted your time. The EGR cooler will be just as bad, if not worse than the pipe and IM.
Well since I purchased this car used and I drive for about 8-14 hours a day, I want the peace of mind that my car is in optimal shape. Doing the work is therapeutic for me, and knowing that my car is maintained properly by myself also gives me peace of mind. I'm one of those crazy people who likes to takes things apart before using them lol. I realize its probably not needed, but if I'm there and took all that shit off, i'm going to do everything except shocks/struts for now, and yeah the EGR cooler was one of the things i was going to do as well. The dealership was asking for $240 for a trans fluid change, 65 for an oil change, 250 for pcv valve replacement, and a stupid amount for the spark plugs, and like 600 for all 4 brakes; they can kiss my a$$. If I can do all this crap + way more for under 300 myself, i'm gonna get it all done in one shot. The oil change/trans fluid/brakes will need to be done later since i let a friend borrow my jack/stands. I'll also clean the battery fan as well. i completely understand it's overkill
WOW!! That's about $400/hour. I'm kind of like that, too. Well, that's plenty early for EGR cleaning, but the good part is that the cleaning will be easier.When I get a cooler that's not completely packed, I usually just blow it out with compressed air (wearing a mask & goggles), then maybe a swish in a bucket of Purple Power. Then clean it out with a pressure washer. When the cooler is packed with carbon, it usually involves blowing out, soaking for a while in the Purple Power, pressure washing, and however many repeats of that cycle it takes. Pipe and manifold are easy.
Yeah. They're either uninformed, or larcenous, or both. It's about the same complexity/expense as an oil change: anything more than $100 is a rip.
I think all they do is look at AllData or whatever software they use to show how to do the job, look at how many hours it says it could take (over estimated hours might i add), and then add their insane profit margin on top of that. and people pay it cause they are not mechanically inclined/are lazy and frankly i just dont have the luxury to be that way. Ftr called 3 different Toyota dealerships for pricing, and it was all pretty similar. A few local mechanics were slightly cheaper but still not worth it at all. the only thing remotely reasonable was the oil change cost. if it costs me 45 to do it myself with royal purple, and it costs them 64 with toyota stuff, i could justify paying that if i want to be lazy, but other than that hell no.
Yeah. Kinda forgot, there’s a transaxle fluid link in my signature, has some tips and tricks for DIY.
