Hello !

I have a 2000 4 door 2wd Sportage. A while back I noticed that it sounded like my motor had some sheet metal loose and rattled when I'd rev it up the rpms slowed back down and when I'd go thru the gears (like a harmonic vibration when it slowed back down).. Now I noticed that when I opened my oil filler cap on the valve cover that it had pressure behind it and think the PCV valve is stopped up. I can't seem to located it. Can anyone please tell me where to look. When the pressure is released it sounds different (if I loosen the filler cap while it is running). The pressure seems to be making the motor sound rattly. Like a sheet metal rattling sound. I am hoping this is what the problem is. It started a while back after changing my spark plugs and oil ...I don't know if it is related to something I did. The plug change went well and it ran way better. Does anyone have an idea of what it could be. Can the PCV valve and the crank case pressure cause it to sound funny? I am hoping I don't have a worse problem. I will not drive it until I figure it out. This motor has 80K miles and has not been any trouble at all til now. I love this little machine and it has been great so far. It has never used any oil at all and it should be nice and tight inside.

Can anyone tell me where the dang PCV valve is located ?

Any other comments about the what the rattling noise might be. There doesn't seem to be any sheet metal shrouds or anything that are loose and rattling. It seems internal. It does seem to change when the oil cap is loosened to let out the pressure. I hope I haven't somehow screwed up my motor. Any comments? I have confidence in you guys. I have never regretted buying this thing because there is such a 4WD following. I am a little worried about it tho. Please tell me what you think. Otherwise I may have to go get it diagnosed. I would rather do it myself. Any comments are appreciated. Thanks Guys !

Thanks.

Patman in OKC