Code 171 on 2001 zx2 pcv valve elbow

My daughter had her service engine soon light come on (65K). The Creader gave a 171 (lean) output. I read the forums hoping for clues. There was some good advice.

I had changed the air filter recently so I looked at the MAF; it was clean as a whistle. The next thing checked was the PCV valve. When I put my hand on the rubber elbow at the valve, I heard a whoosh. The elbow had a hole in it, and probably collapsed on itself, thus sealing it a bit. When I handled it, the hole opened. The rubber was gummy and tore easily. I replaced the elbow and thus far the light has not come on.

This is just an alert for those that might have the same problem.

I took my car to the local Ford dealer and paid $82 to have them run diagnostics on it. They diagnosed my 2000 zx2 with the same thing. I had the same 171 code. The dealer recommended that I have the pcv hose/tube be changed and the pcm updated at a cost of $115. They also recommended about $500 in system flushes. Which I politely declined. Now, the problem is finding the rubber hose. My parts store is telling me that it is a dealer part which gripes me because I know that this can't be more than a $1.00 part.

Where did you get yours?

I took my car to the local Ford dealer and paid $82 to have them run diagnostics on it. They diagnosed my 2000 zx2 with the same thing. I had the same 171 code. The dealer recommended that I have the pcv hose/tube be changed and the pcm updated at a cost of $115. They also recommended about $500 in system flushes. Which I politely declined. Now, the problem is finding the rubber hose. My parts store is telling me that it is a dealer part which gripes me because I know that this can't be more than a $1.00 part.

Where did you get yours?


The dealer did not sell the elbow. They sold the whole assembly. Big surprise! The parts store had some hose connectors of the correct diameter. The one that fit was a double elbow hose. I cut the end to get a one elbow piece which fit. I wish I had the part number, but I don't. It was on a display rack at Advance Auto, but other parts stores might have one, or another elbow might work. I imagine that you could fashion a loop out of straight tubing that would work. If it fits the pcv valve it should fit the hose end. Check it out on tubing sold by the length that is behind the counter. They'll help you at the parts counter if you can't eyeball it for fit.


Of course, you have to scrape, cut the tubing off the hose end. Be careful! I did this with it in the car.

I actually had more confidence in the "rigged" part than a new part. The elbow I bought was for a higher temperature use and was reinforced. The rubber elbow looks like something that was destined to fail; on my daughter's car it was just a gummy mess. The repair has worked well so far.


I don't know if the code 171 will reset by itself. I used my Creader to erase it. They'll do the same for free at Advance here. I guess they would do the same where you are.


Good luck!

pesteragain

Same thing happend with me. O'reilly's Automotive parts give me the elbow I needed in 30 seconds.

the reason for your gummy rubber is that the car is blowing oil thru the pcv valve and could be runnuing rich with fuel contamination in the oil, this will cause the rubber tubing to get gummy from heat and fuel/oil mixture breaking down the rubber components do a compression test on the cylinders check this against oem specs

The dealer recommended that I have the pcv hose/tube be changed and the pcm updated at a cost of $115.



NOOOOOO the pcm updates kill power and gas milage!!!!