PCV valve

Where is the 1998 windstar 3.8l pcv valve located? On the forward valve cover there is an elbow connected to a plastic hose that goes to the boot attaching the air cleaner housing to the throttle body. Is it on the cabin side valve cover? Any help appreciated

Daniel

I think you just stated where the PCV valve is located, under the elbow on the forward valve cover. Haven't changed mine yet but you should be able to pull the hose off and see the PCV valve.

On my 96 it is exactley on the opposite end of the motor, opposite from where you are looking, on the other valve cover behind the plenim

I can't find the pcv valve in my 1998 windstar. Removed the elbow in the forward valve cover, nothing there. There is a plastic elbow inserted in a grommet in the valve cover. A plastic pipe goes from there to the boot beteween the throttle body and the air cleaner. I can not find a pcv valve anywhere in this circuit.
alex

The PCV valve will be in the valve cover, and the vacuum line on it will lead to the INTAKE after (below) the throttle body. The hose & fitting from the inlet tube is in the valve cover opposite.

If the hose (actually a plastic pipe) ,that goes from front valve cover to the rubber boot, between the air cleaner and throttle body does not contain the pcv valve, then what is it for?
Is there another hose on the rear valve cover?
alex

Atent

As ModMech said, the PCV is at the end of the vacuum line that starts just downstream of the throttle body. Start there and work backwards. On the 96 with 3.8 the PCV valve is in the rear bank valve cover almost completely out of sight. Regarding the other hose, I believe it provides a source of clean air from downstream of the air cleaner into the crankcase to balance the air being sucked out via the PCV valve to the intake manifold, thus regulating the crankcase pressure and ventilating the crankcase, positively :) . I hope this helps and if I am off base I hope I will be corrected.
Good luck and let us know what happens.

Yup,

The hose (pipe) from the inlet tube does allow fresh air to enter the crankcase, and the PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) valve draws the crankcase gases out and into the intake to be burned. That's how old worn out eninges get high "HC" in the exhaust, lots of blow-by (crankcase) gasses being sucked into the intake via the PCV; which is exactly what is supposed to happen.