I've previously posted this on Yahoo, but I wanted to put it here also so anyone could find it using the search engine here.

Okay everyone, I've changed my PCV valve. Since none of us ever seems to have done it, I took pics and notes for instructions. Here's the instructions. The Subaru part number is 11810AA000. I don't know how much it costs, sorry.

1. Purchase a 19mm crow's foot. See it in my pics. $6.50 at a local wholesale tool store.

2. Remove the center cover on the intake manifold. It takes a 4mm allen wrench.

3. Pull the hose off and remove the valve.
-Hot tip #1- You are actually unscrewing the
valve upside down. Set your ratchet as if
you were trying to tighten something.
-Hot tip #2- I was going to say "don't drop
the crow's foot under the manifold, it's
a bear to get it out". After dropping it
three times, my new tip is "secure the
crow's foot to the extension so you won't
drop it". I used some electrical tape,
since I'm out of duct tape. If you have one, you could use a magnetic tipped retrieval tool.
4. Install the new one. Once
again, be careful not to drop it. I was able
to start threading it by reaching in from the
driver's side, towards the back of the engine,
under the manifold. It was a tight fit, but
easier than trying to start it from the top.
5. I also pulled the hose out and cleaned it while
I had everything apart. The hose was stiff
enough that I was able to push it back on the
valve by pushing on the other end of the hose,
where it attaches to the splitter, which you
can see in one of the photos.

I think that may be it. If anybody has any questions, just ask. It sounds easier typing it out than doing it, although I could do it better a second time.

Here's the link to my briefcase. Look at the PCV Valve Replacement album.
http://briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/richeich_93

Rich

(I need to learn how to put pictures in here-but for now the link will work)

[This message has been edited by richeich (edited June 22, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by richeich (edited June 22, 2000).]

Greetings,

Sounds simple enough...but what's a PCV valve?

Pski

Positive Crankcase Ventilation Valve. It releases the pressure that builds up in the crankcase when the engine is running. It's basically a spring loaded check ball. If they get old and gummed up, the pressure finds another way to escape, usually through the dipstick tube. That's what caught my attention, was the fact that the dipstick was popping up in between times that I checked the oil. I can't remember if it was every time I put gas in the car and checked oil, but it was pretty consistent.

On most cars they are up top and easy to get to. Quite a few of the others had their dipsticks popping up also, and I suspect that because of its location, it wasn't something that was changed like it should be.

Hope this helps. Anybody else with additional comments please post.

Rich