I'll try and make this short and not so sweet.

Past few days the lifter noise has become incrisingly regular (it used to only happen until it warmed up). So today I get the bright idea to run some SeaFoam through the PCV tube, I did it before a while back, about 50k ago, the same way.
Well everything is going great, and I finish up. Just because I'm already there I decide to check the PCV (which was also change about 50k ago) and see if it needs replacing. I give the PCV a nice pull but notice something different. I was missing the entire bottom of the rubber gromet that fits in the hole. It snaped off clean at the top of the valve cover and fell in.
Even with my best efforts with every tool I hade, I managed to loose it deep enough in the hole so its imposible to retrieve from the outside.
I have already begun to pull the Valve Cover on that side, new parts will be ordered tommorow. But I have never dug into my engine at all, I'm on forgien soil at this point. The questions I got are these.
- If this gromet was to fall in, where could it possibly end up? The diagram in the manual shows a solid plate covering the PCV hole (from inside the cover), so the gromet couldn't go too far, is this right?
- Also, about this plate I'm seeing in the manual, is it removable?
- And is there anything I need to replace other than the Vavle Cover Gasket and PCV itself? Maybe the o-rings around the spark plugs <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />.

**The picture I'm refering to is Haynes Manual, 2D-3, 3.14b**
3.2L SOHC, 95.5 Rodeo

Thanks

Scott F.

I don't know about the plate.

The spark plug tube o-rings will come with the gasket set. Replace them while your in there.

Why are you running Seafoam through the PCV to cure noisy lifters?

Use about a half of a can of Seafoam in the crankcase mixed with the oil----run about 100-150 miles, and then change the oil...Really did help my lifter noise(comes and goes)....
The Plate you are referring to is really a baffle to keep oil from spraying out of the PCV hole.Your grommet may be lodged there--Maybe use a shop vac???.
It may have just fallen onto the valve train somewhere--I would want to get it out....

why would you add something thru the PCV hole? it just goes into the oil that way, why not use the regular oil filler hole?

As for the bottom half of the rubber grommet, my bet is it's either sitting on the baffle or sitting relatively harmlessly on top of the head. Chances are you could leave it there forever and never notice, but it wouldn't hurt to yank it out anyway.

oh, and while you're in there adjust your lifters to get rid of the lifter noise! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/nana.gif" alt="" />

Good luck man <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Sorry I wasnt very clear last night, was still frustrated.

Yes I was trying to quiet a Valve, and HALF the the bottle was going in to the OIL . I just didn't make it that far before the screw up with the PCV. I sent half the bottle down the PCV Tube (not hole, used the vacuum line) to clean the combustion chamber and assotiated parts. Everything went well until I checked the PCV Valve and the dang thing snapped on me.

I ordered the parts. Piece I need = $1.80, everything to get me there =$80. Merlin was most helpful also. Eric you guessed right about it never actually reaching the valves. The plate should not allow it to fall, unless I cut it up enough, which is possible with my technique <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" /> of removal.

Oh, and I like my lifters just fine <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />, hydrolics(sp?) and all.

Thanks agian

Scott F.

I disagree. I would never even drive the car with Seafoam in the crankcase. Let it idle for about 30 minutes, then drain. Oil will be as thin as water.