PCV valve

[Rambling Wreck]

Does a bad/clogged PCV valve increase fuel consumption? If so,
1. Is this an off the shelf part or must it be ordered from Lexus?
2. Anyone ever replace theirs? Easy to do? Pictures?

[jonwadkins]

The PVC maybe off the shelf but you can buy a genuie Lexus PVC for $3.43 from a online Lexus dealer.  Go to TMS parts, Figure 6, get the PVC part number (1220450020) then go to www.parts.com, select Lexus and then select the online store of your choice.  I buy all of my parts for my Tundra and Highlander this way.  I get Toyota oil filters for the same price I can buy a Fram for here in town.  You will find that a lot of the parts are common between the boat engine and the Lexus LS400 of the same year.

Good Luck.

[wakejunky]

wreck-

A bad PCV valve will not cause an increase in fuel consumption. It does help prevent sludge buildup in the engine.

check it like this- remove the valve. shake it. Does it rattle?

Yes- blow through both ends. one way should have no restriction, the other way will almost be plugged
        (a very small amount of air is ok). ITS GOOD!!!! reinstall.

No- IT'S BAD. You can try spraying it out with carb or brake clean. 90% of the time this will fix it.

Cant say i've ever had a bad one in the 10 years I've worked for Toyota and Lexus. The only time I've changed them is when there 10+ years old and I've broken them replacing valve cover gaskets.

[Rambling Wreck]

Thanks for the feedback guys - gotta love this site!!!

After reading the post about running 8 hours on a tank of gas I got to pondering the issue. I can't remember if it was 8 hours of wakeboarding or skiing but nonetheless, I have never had that kind of gas mileage - not bad but nothing close to that.

Anyhoo (as TF would say), I read the manual and THOUGHT one of the possible causes listed for poor fuel economy was a clogged PCV valve. Maybe it is time to pop in those fancy Densos I bought last year - before they rust in their boxes

I am in the spending mood - I just bought a new battery even though the old one was only 6 yrs. old! It was an Interstate - just like the one in the picture in the owner's manual. A regular auto starting battery. The boat wouldn't start last week so I pulled the battery and headed out on my trip to Charlotte, NC. I read the manual while in Charlotte and then noticed all of the other possible reasons the boat may not have started (starter, solenoid, ignition switch, loose lanyard, etc.) I was still trying to decide if I would spring for the Blue Top Optima when I spotted an Interstate Battery store. I went in and, low and behold, they had both. This store had lowered the price of the Optima to $159. I can't recall the model number but it was the dual purpose - starting and deep cycle. My battery tested out at 6 volts! I walked out with a new - Interstate. For less than half the price ($75) it has a 2 yr full replacement and 74 month pro-rated. This compares to 18 months on the Optima. I asked the guy if they would honor the warranty if used in a boat. He said of course they would since I wasn't going to tell them it was used in a boat! For you guys with all of the audio equipment and other power drains, the price on the Optima looked to be great but I just couldn't justify it.