Aragorn

I tried the ziptie trick, but it keeps slipping off. Maybe I need a bigger ziptie? I tried wrapping some galvanized wire around it and that keeps slipping off as well. I've been at if for like 45 mins already in this hot Chicago weather. Any other ideas? Off to the garage to see what else I might be able to use. Thanks.

Tatonka456

Mac tools makes a spark plug extractor, I use this thing all the time (for more than just spark plugs)

ronjenx

If you can put it back together and start the engine, it helps to have everything hot.

Put a bolt in the pcv valve that just fits into the top hole. Clamp some vice grips on the pcv valve so it pinches the pcv valve onto the bolt.
Pry up on the vice grips with a screw driver.

airforce26yrs

I think I used needle nose vice grips.

Aragorn

Was not aware of that tool, so you just grab the nipple of the valve and pull up? I'll have to pick up one of those next time I am at the store. Also, want to do plugs soon. Thanks.


Oh man, I did not know that having it hot helps. My engine was cold. I like the bolt idea, will keep that in mind next time. Thanks.


I was thinking of going that route too. Thanks.

Well, I finally got it out. Thanks for the suggestions. I ended up using a small hose clamp and wire around the clamp to lift it out (I couldn't put it back together to get the engine hot):





How do you know if it is seated? I couldn't push it down at all, so I tapped it down with a deep socket to where I think it was seated, never heard a snap or pop. Anyway, I put it back together and it started up, no CEL. Will go for a cruise in a little bit.


I knew I was in for trouble when I found the hose clamp facing off to the side, who does that? Had to use an angled needle nose pliers and a metal loop to turn it around.

ronjenx

Here is a photo showing the properly seated pcv valve:

Mark Doiron

Mine was stuck in ridiculously hard. Two of us tried and, most seriously, my assistant ended up needing knee surgery because he was pushing up so hard to force it out he injured his already weak knee (getting old sucks). So, I called a younger, and much bigger and stronger friend (6'4, 275 pounds) and asked him to come assist. And it still took us a half hour and a three foot lever to get it out. Here's what our contraption looked like, and I was holding the Vice Grips on to keep them from pushing against the bailing wire and releasing their grip ...





If someone wanted to make a specialty tool for pulling that, they'd have it insert a short piece of round stock into the PCV valve opening. That round stock would have a small hole at 90 degrees that was the size of the small hole in the top shaft of the PCV valve. You'd then clamp down with two semicircles around the outside of the PCV valve, like with pliers. And in one of those semicircle halves would be a small bit of round stock that would slip through that hole in the PCV valve and into the mating hole on the internal part of the pliers. A highly specialized tool, but I expect they'll sell like hotcakes to any mechanics who've ever changed one of those damned things!

Mountain Man Tim

next time you find one that stuck might i suggest a torch........ or dynamite

Aragorn

Thanks for taking the time to post your pic. Opened mine up again this morning to check. I think it looks similar to yours. Does it matter in which direction that little hole sits? (Crossing my fingers it doesn't):




Ouch, hope your friend is ok. I asked the parts guy at the dealership about a tool for it and he also said no there wasn't. I like your idea; might try to fabricate something like that next time - drill, small bit, long bolt, small hose clamp, pin...

ronjenx

It doesn't matter which way the hole faces.