Part of pcv valve fell in valvecover
 

PCV would not come loose, so I grabbed it with a vise grip and tried to rock it out. It was so brittle and just kept breaking into pieces until just last 1/4 in or so that goes into rubber grommet was left. that last little piece broke into two and fell in valvecover. Question, and I am pretty sure I know the answer, should I wait and pull valvecover tomorrow to get the pieces of plastic out before starting engine. I'm am so mad I can't even type! This is so stupid! And this is on my newer 2001 ram. Original Pcv I'm sure. Thanks.

yes you should definitely wait and pull the valve cover before starting the engine. Make sure you get every piece of plastic out of there. It could potentially wreck havoc in there.

Pulling valve cover is very simple, you need a 7/16" deep well socket and perhaps a short extension. Spark plug wire looms simply pull straight up and off, revealing the bolt. There are 10 total bolts to remove, remember where the long ones were located. After you take the cover off, best way is to remove bits with a wet/dry shop vac so you don't knock them down an oil return hole into the crankcase. Replace cover and do not overtighten the valve cover bolts or you'll snap them clean off in the head. 100 in/lbs. is almost nothing. Gasket is reuseable, BTW.

Ok thanks, at least it 'll be a balmy 25 degrees tomorrow. And haven't started truck so they should be right there. Just a time thing.

What color is the truck?

yeah squirrels, like you said - you don't remember much about these trucks. LOL.

the original gasket may be hardened and unusable. if so, put in a new one rather than have to redo it due to leaks.

also - you likely need a new rubber grommett.

no point in being mad. those original plastics and rubber grommets do that. at only 6 years old i had to cut mine out in pieces. they were hard as rocks.

Will get new felpro gaskets. The valve covers are loose and prob need new gaskets anyway, because there is a build up of oil mist on valve cover especially towards the back, even though only 58,000 mi. Gdstock, this is the med almond pearlcoat that looks more like gold, the 2001. My red 99 never had this problem. After the fact I've thought of ways I could've got it out ,but was in a hurry. I wonder how many get broke off and shoved in at qwik oil change places?

Quick change
 

Thats exactly why I will NEVER go to quick change oil places, One of those places stripped the drain plug on my daughters Saturn and put in some type of swelling rubber POS that I do not trust.

If you are doing both valve covers, mind the ground on the passenger side as it is important to relay a stable ground signal for the various sensors on the top end of the engine (reduces noise in the signal). Be sure to reconnect it.

That was for you, Vaughan.:icon_razz:

Lol..

First off, you were not removing the PCV valve but was removing the plastic breather hose elbow. Dodge moved the PCV valve to the drivers side in 2000.

I was replacing the pcv on drivers side , on my 2001 and you are correct, in that Chrysler moved the pcv to drivers side after 1999, saved them a lot of rubber hose.

Was reading that there is a screen or baffle area to keep stuff from falling into valley, but the two little pieces of plastic could block off the air flow possibly. Anyway I'm going and will see if it was anything to worry about or not.

Pulled valve cover , there is a baffle that keeps anything bigger than 1/2 diameter from getting into valvetrain area. Was able to fish out the broken pcv parts by standing cover on end and shaking the broken pieces to the end of baffle. Wouldn't have been the end of the world had they been left in there. Now to see if the spark plugs come out!

Doh, i forgot about those oil control baffles on the stock covers. They keep the oil from making out of those grommets. I ran the aftermarket MP cast aluminum covers for so many years I just forgot.