I just got a 1988 4x4 V6 last week and I had a couple of questions. Some stupid but oh well. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

1. Where is the PCV valve on this engine. I've checked two different manuals but I cant actually find the stupid thing on the truck. Is it hidden under the passanger side intake manifold or something? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

2. Does the Normal/Power button below my Auto Shifter really do anything. Just curious. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

3. Ok. I live in the Sacramento CA area and really would like to find a nice shop to do an inspection on the truck to see what work needs to be done. Would like to make sure that I have realiable transportation and also just to take care of the truck itself. Does anyone have somewhere the could suggest.


Thank You. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Yep, PCV valve is hidden under pass. intake manifold (plenum). I've heard people say they have removed it with a long needle nose pliers, but I sure couldn't. Had to unbolt the intake plenum. Look at the vacuum lines on the passenger side of the plenum. Look for a single connector with 3 little lines coming off of it. Directly BELOW this plug, there is a larger hose. That leads to the PCV valve. There is also a rubber grommet that fits into the valve cover that holds the PCV valve. This becomes hardened and brittle, and will crack when you remove the pcv. Mine was so hard that I had to use a pair of pliers and a good amount of force to pull the pcv from it. Replace this grommet while you replace the PCV valve. Buy a can of carb clean and clean the intake manifold, throttle body, and plenum while you have it all apart. Don't forget a new plenum gasket too.

Normal/Power button modifies shift points on your tranny, allowing the engine to rev higher before it shifts.

Thank You

I thought I was loosing my mind on the PCV valve. Well just have to plan a Saturday and take it off.

Most relocate the pvc valve to make it easier to get to.

I believe the normal/power button is simiklar tro the ect button on newer auto's. If it is it holds the tranny in gear longer before shifting. In my sisters '95 it did help with hill climbs. She was also able to increase mpg if she used L2 around town rather than leaving it in drive.

For a thorough check I would take it to a dealer, they don't charge that much more than the private shop do anymore, should be under $150. Then decide how much of it you can do yourself, the '93 FSM at the the top of the board will work for your '88, then decide who you want to pay to do the work you can't/don't want to do.

If you don't know the service history of the truck, drain and refill the diffs, tranny, t-case, typical tune-up i.e., plugs, wires, cap and rotor, oil/oil filter, air filter, O2 sensor, fuel filter, check the break/replace if nec., check/replace the tie rods, idler and pitman arms, re-pack the hubs/wheel bearings, check/grease ball joints and drivelines. All of this can be done w/o paying a shop, even by a beginner, as long as they are patient and take their time. The water pump and timing belt should also be replaced(done about every 80-100k), and possibly a valve adjustment. You will want to pay a shop to do these, there is a bit more work involved.

If you pull the intake manifold to get the pcv valve, I would pull the injectors and take them to Carburator Factory on Auburn blvd. It runs $32/injector, they clean/rebuild/balance them. It takes about a day to do it, if you get them there when they open you can get them back the same day.

How often do you guys adjust your valves on a 3.0? I have never had min adjusted. WHen i bought truck timing belt was recently replaced, then when water pump went bad i changed it again, whilke it was apart. Plugs, wires, dist cap/rotor, were changed last year with all toyota/denso parts and i really didnt notice any change at all. Truck is a little harder to start than when i first got it. I never had injectors cleaned on pulled and cleaned TB. While running it has a little roughness to it. Not really noticeable unless you feel the vibes on the engine, and hear through sound. Gotta listen good. I know its different from when i first got the truck back in High School.

I hear its hell "adjusting" valves on a 3.0. You use shims instead of adjusters. This is coming from a 20+ year lead tech at Toyota.

IIRC the valves are supposed to be adjusted every 60 or 90k.

It is, you have to have the right shim, so you need to buy several different sizes(which gets pricey) so you don't have to keep running back to the dealer. I do all of my own service, except the valve adjustment, some headaches are easier when you pay others to do the work.

im buying rebuilt heads for my 3.0. will i have to adjust the valves when i put them in?

It's hell compared to doing nuts on the ends of rocker arms.
It's par for the course for anyone who has ever worked on street motorcycles.

With a rebuilt head, you'll need to reshim... Possibly not if the rebuild includes the cams and is pre-assembled. Even if pre-assembled, it shims should be checked.

I have my 3.0 apart in the garage right now, due to a dropped valve seat.

The heads were done last week by a local shop, they adjusted the valves and reinstalled the cams. According to the owner, he has only had a few times where someone took the cams off, bolted down the head, and reinstalled the cam and had to get a different shim. If the re-man'd heads have the cams on them, then you most likely do not have to get new shims, but should check to be sure after they are on the block.

I mailed the injectors off to Witchhunter Performance in WA state last Thursday. They were back here on Wednesday. Witchhunter was a recommendation off this board from the archives. The injectors were off by 5% from eachother when he got them, less than 1% when he sent them back. Their website has some good info on what it means to rebuild an injector, not as much as you would think. Mostly ultrasonic cleaning and replacing the filter and end cap.

Oh, I also sent the cold start injector up also, that one was the biggest difference, probably due to all the crap that was on it from the intake airbox.