pls hlp,I'm no mech. 88 PGMFI accessing PCV tube at crankcase?

[contran]

I disconnected the PCV Valve tube from the PCV Valve and cannot detect
any air flow so I think the tube may be blocked. Does this sound
reasonable?

I want to clean the tube by removing it and knocking any debris out of
it but I can't unfasten the tube from the crankcase. By sliding my
hand under the (I think they're called intake manifold branches) I can just
barely touch the fastener with a finger after I remove some other
tube/wire mounts. The fastener looks like a band of steal 3/8ths wide
and I can feel two prongs(one thin and one wide) on the underside of
the fastener about 1/4 inch apart.

Can someone please tell me how to access and remove this item?

thanks a lot
Eric

Also:
The valve sits on top imbedded in one of the intake manifold
branches so there is just 1 tube
from the valve to the engine and its very hard to reach.

PS: the valve itself looks like this,
http://img.eautopartscatalog.c...V.JPG

Oh yeah, I'm puffing smoke badly so trying to fix that before aircare.

thanks a lot
Eric

[Scott82]

long needle nose pliers should do the trick. if not, needle nose vise grips are handy cause you can lock the clamp open to work it loose.

[91civicDXdude]

there should only be air coming out if you have a lot of blowby. the PCV works on vacuum.. i.e. engine vacuum sucks through the PCV valve instead of block pressure pushing through it like you would think.

[90civicrider]

chances are that hose is stuck on there.. Move the little metal clip up towards the center of the hose. Then yank, wiggle, and do a little cursing to get that hose off