easiest way to replace PCV valve

[pjtoledo]

remove engine from vehicle, lay it on the right side for access to oil separator and PCV valve. this thing is a huge pain.

I'm trying to do it without removing the intake. after pulling the fender liner I can at least see the valve and oil separator. currently hung up on the clip that holds the pcv in, haven't managed to pop it up yet. I'll try again in the morning.
it's a 2005, manual tranny

 

[Doofy]

If this is truly the case...it would be the LAST Ford I'd ever buy. Getting to old for these "Engineering Marvels".

 

[kmfw]

With the inner fender removed use extensions and it's not too bad to remove the oil separator. I just did it with the wheel cut to the right but it should be easy if you pull the driver's side wheel.

 

[adsm08]

There is no way that taking the engine out is easier than just removing the intake.

If you really want fun with one of these do it to a Focus.

 

[Soledad]

I pulled the wheel off, the fender liner out, and then used a very long and very thin flat head screwdriver to pry the ring off. Of course it was brittle and broke and so ordered up a new PCV and ring from Ford.

Just know that the ring is keyed and has to go on a certain way.

 

[pjtoledo]

finished it up yesterday, drove OK today.

pulled the wheel & fender liner. tied hoses & wires up out of the way, sort-of.
viewed the clip-ring removal on You-tube, but still couldn't get it to pop off. the hose clamp on the PCV faced the block, no way to remove the hose from pcv as is was.
figured I'll just remove the plastic cover from the block to get better access...
cover detached, friggin thing would not go above or below that big coolant hose while still attached to the intake tube. still cannot get clear access to clamp ring.

grabbed small X-acto saw blade and cut the PCV in half. there is a small steel spring inside it, cut the plastic from both directions to get around it.
now easily removed the cover and popped that ring off. pulled the hose out a bit to remove the clamp and other half of the pcv.
the cover wasn't too dirty, only minor cleaning needed. this is the first time the PCV has been serviced in 321,xxx miles. always synthetic oil.
it went back in much easier than it came out.

What I learned:

its easy to get to the crank case cover and PCV thru the wheel well. just cut the pcv valve in half at the elbow to easily remove the cover. (be careful to not cut the cover!)
you can then address the ring clamp holding the pcv in and clean the cover.
then bend the intake hose a bit to remove clamp and other pcv half.
8 bolts, 8mm (5/16") clean and re use the rubber gasket.

now if I can find the right type of thermostat I'll be a happy guy again.



clarification,,, what I called a crankcase cover is actually the oil separator. its getting late, I NEED more M&Ms.

 

[pjtoledo]

There is no way that taking the engine out is easier than just removing the intake.

If you really want fun with one of these do it to a Focus.

Please forgive me, for I had not yet had my Peanut M&Ms.
things just don't seem to go right without them.

 

[pjtoledo]

If this is truly the case...it would be the LAST Ford I'd ever buy. Getting to old for these "Engineering Marvels".

I'm 64, and admit it takes a little longer than it used to.

 

[Doofy]

Glad you got that dog whipped! I was getting worn out with the play-by-play.