PCV Valve Replacement Guide For GM 3800 Series II 3.8L Engine - General Motors Pontiac Grand Prix GTP Maintenance

Pontiac Grand Prix PCV Valve Replacement Guide
A pictures illustrated instruction guide to replacing the PCV valve in a Pontiac Grand Prix with a GM 3800 Series II engine.

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This guide was specifically written to assist owners of the 1997-2003 General Motors Pontiac Grand Prix GTP in swapping out an old PCV valve with a new one. Owners of other vehicles equipped with the GM 3800 Series II 3.8L V6 engine may also find these instructions helpful. Some of these cars include the Buick Le Sabre, Park Avenue, Regal, Riviera, Chevy Camaro, Chevrolet Impala, Lumina, Monte Carlo, Olds Eighty-Eight, Oldsmobile Intrigue, LSS, Ninety-Eight, Pontiac Bonneville, Firebird, Holden Commodore, Statesman and Monaro.

Purolator PV892

GM 3800 Series II S/C Engine

PCV Valve Location

The PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) is a one way valve that should be replaced regularly. Check your vehicle's owner's manual for the specific service schedule for your car. I've read widely varying owner opinions including that it should be changed each year or anywhere from every 15k to 60,000 miles.

The purpose of the PCV Valve is to re-route unburnt gasoline fumes back into the combustion chamber rather than being discarded on the street.

Some of the symptoms of a nearly clogged PCV include a rough idling engine, loss of power, oil burning, an oily air filter, decreased mpg, or blown seals.

I picked up the new Purolator PV892 part at a Pep Boys auto care store for about $3.00. The entire PCV Valve replacement procedure (including taking pictures for this page) took about 10 minutes.

10mm Socket

Green Arrow - PCV Location

PCV Valve Cover Close-up

First gather up a 10mm socket or wrench, the new PCV valve, a pair of needle nose pliers, and a shop rag. Locate the PCV valve cover by clicking on the picture above. I marked the location with a green arrow and dots. Loosen the two 10mm bolts slowly while keeping a finger on the cover so that the spring loaded PCV doesn't pop out. Once you remove both bolts, gently pry off the cover. If the valve seems stuck, use the needle nose pliers to pull it out. Then just replace the valve with the new part and be sure to replace the spring and any o-rings or rubber gaskets that may have been on the old part.

PCV Valve Spring

Old PCV Valve & Spring

Replacement Complete!

For more vehicle maintenance help, check out my other updates such as the Pontiac Grand Prix Window Motor & Regulator Replacement Guide, the Eaton M90 Supercharger Oil Change Guide, the GM Wheel Bearing Hub Replacement, the GM 3800 Series II Engine Oil Change, or the Grand Prix Alternator Replacement Guide.

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