There have been numerous posts made about maintenance issues and many have involved the PCV valve and Throttle Body. Recently I decided that there's got to be some things I can do myself to improve my 10-11 mpg. I went to my local dealership yesterday and purchased a new PCV valve for $28.00. My goal was to replace my PCV and clean my throttle body and hopefully do it right.

So, I took lots of pictures and have documented everything I did, one step at a time, and now I want to share it with anyone who has wanted to perform these tasks, but have hesitated. Let me tell you that it was much easier than I ever thought it might be. You can do this yourself, save some pretty good money AND reap the benefits of your work. A few hours or less and some simple tools and you'll be very glad you did.

I thought it would be great if I could write an Adobe .pdf document and make it available online, but in order to write a .pdf document, you have to pay a monthly/annual fee to Adobe. So the next best thing I could do was make a document in Microsoft Word (which almost everyone has) in .doc format with pictures and post it online. So if you click on the link below, you'll be given the option to either download and save it, or open it in a program you have that accepts .doc format like Microsoft Word.

The end result is explained in the document.

PCV and TB Maintenance in .doc format

Here is a link to the instructions in .pdf format so you can also view it with Adobe Reader.

PCV and TB Maintenance in .pdf format

You can download the latest version of Adobe Reader for free Here.

I also want to thank Rancher and Superjay for their help!



Pup

This message has been edited. Last edited by: HEMI-PUP,

"you can restart the engine and spray an appropriate cleaner directly into the throttle body opening. "

you mention NOT using Carb cleaner, and you menton using Brake cleaner, but in the above quote what is is i am to use?
thanks.
soon as Air tube from 3rdstrike arives, i am thinking this would be a good time to do this maint. 53,000 miles.

Sorry for the confusion.

The '03 service manual mentions more than once NOT to use carburetor cleaner when cleaning the throttle body, it doesn't mention that warning for any other parts. My guess is because it probably has ingredients that may be harmful to internal workings/gaskets/etc. However, there's no warning about using carb cleaner when cleaning the inside of the intake or the chamber where the PCV valve mounts. I would feel safe using carburetor cleaner while the engine is running, spraying it into the open PCV cavity and through the TB butterfly, BUT I could be wrong here.

What I've seen other members mention is an actual Throttle Body Cleaner that can be used as the "appropriate cleaner". You can probably go to any auto parts store and ask them for something that is specifically for cleaning a throttle body.

I hope this helps.



Pup

By the way, I can't afford a CAI right now so I did get a new AFE stock replacement air filter to top off what I already did.

The improvements I've noticed have far outweighed the little work and cost involved. It's really worth it!



Pup

It's like you read my mind. I was planning on doing this this weekend. Excellant step by step. Awesome job thank you very much.

Great write-up, Steve!

Also while you have it apart you can use mass air flow cleaner for the sensor in the intake tube. You spray it on liberally and let it air dry. This is to insure the computer is getting the right information from the sensor.

Thanks for the additional info T-Hemi, I didn't know they made a cleaner specifically for that sensor. I did remove mine from the Hemi-Hat and looked at it with a magnifying glass and fortunately it looked like new.



Pup

why did you not just clean out the pcv valve instead of buying a new one?
good article by the way..

That's a very good question Solar_Ram and the only answer I can give you is from past experience.

We all remember the good old days when engines were not as "exact" as they are today. Taking the old PCV valve out and spraying it good with carb cleaner usually did the trick. But there was an instance years ago when I did just that with my wifes car. If I remember correctly it was a 1980 Dodge Aspen station wagon with that honey of an engine, the 225 slant-six.

Anyway, as part of a tune-up I cleaned the PCV valve really good and re-used it. Loooooong story short, it turned out the PCV valve was "worn" out and after discovering/learning this, I replaced it with a new one and she purred like a kitten once again. Any moving part will wear out eventually and a PCV is no exception. Fully closed, the PCV valve creates a tight seal, but if that seat is worn just right, the perfect seal is gone for good.

I know that $27.50 seems a little steep, but with the extreme tolerances of todays engines, plus the fact that so many other components rely on precise vacuums to operate correctly, I just thought it would be a wise move to go with a new factory Mopar PCV.

If anything, it's just more of a personal preference to me.



Pup

Ah yes...those little ol' slant sixes will run forever and a day.

great write up.

Awesome write up Steve! Thank you!

Sil