Importance of PCV valve replacement?

My sister found a 96 Rodeo 3.2L V6, and wanted me to come check it out and see what I thought. Guy has all maintenance records, engine looks spotless in terms of no leaks, has 125K, all fluids looked good, etc. Only thing I was not quite in the liking of, is the area around the PCV valve looked dirty with dried oil surrounding the hole.

Didn't think it was too much of a concern, however, the guy said he'd never replaced it, and that it was the original one. Pulled the valve, and it sure looked nasty with brown oil residue, and dirt, nothing black, nor was there any water traces. Obviously it didn't rattle, but truck didn't idle funny either.

Can an issue be caused from this type of neglect?

Please list for me all the importances of a PCV valve, and it's replacement.

I've never checked into the point of it, truly, but I do know it needs changed at least every 20K or so.

I wouldn't sweat it. A malfunctioning PCV system will result in a foamy, milky nasty mess that you would see under the cam/valve covers & on the dipstick. If the PCV system cannot evacuate crank case vapors (water vapor,fuel vapor,oil vapor,exhaust gas), you'll get the mess. Cheap parts store replacement PCV valves sometimes dont fit well in the vlv cover or on it's vac line, or can cause oil carry over into the intake (improper sized internal flow orifice). Gunk around the PCV valve is normal. Over time you get some seepage around the grommet. No big deal. I always try to stick with an OEM PCV valve. I normally dont replace them all that often, instead I remove & clean them with intake cleaner. You should be able to suck air thru the PCV valve & not blow air thru it. They are basically just a check valve.
G/luck
Joel

Thank you! Good to hear.