Truck Trend Garage: 1997-2003 Ford E-150 PCV Valve
Question: I'm working on my Ford E-150 van with a 4.2-liter. Can you tell me the location of the PCV valve for this engine? I took the air housing covers and the engine cover off looking for it, but couldn't find it.
Answer: I don't know your van's model year, but I show the 4.2-liter on the list from 1997 to 2003. The PCV valve should be in a similar location for that year range. My emissions control diagram for the 2000 model year (I split the difference) E-150 shows the PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) valve on the top, rearward end, of the right-bank valve cover. Again, in back of the passenger side valve cover. Just a reference for the curious: The positive crankcase ventilation system was a great idea that came about before I began working on real cars. The PCV is a simple dual-purpose system: It's an emissions control device that draws harmful hydrocarbons out of the engine's crankcase via engine vacuum and then right back into the combustion chamber. The HC (unburned fuel) is then reburned, resulting in fewer hydrocarbons out the exhaust. Depleting the hydrocarbons from the crankcase, produced by inevitable piston ring blowby, also reduces detrimental internal crankcase pressure, while keeping motor oil cleaner and decreasing service intervals.
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If you have a technical question regarding your pickup, SUV, or van, feel free to contact Alex, a master technician with the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. Send a letter to him in care of Truck Trend Garage, 831 S. Douglas Street, El Segundo, CA 90245, or e-mail us at trucktrend@sourceinterlink.com. Please include the VIN with your question. Due to the volume of questions received every month, we cannot guarantee that everyone's question will be personally answered or will appear in the magazine.
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