pcv valve and Mitchell

[jdwill01]

Hello, I am an auto tech school student.
As an exercise I just did a tune up on a 2001Mercury Sable LS 24V DOHC.
It has 100,000 miles.
After the tune up I realized I had failed to follow the maintenance schedule which says to replace the spark plugs and PCV valve. I only replaced the spark plugs. Out of curiosity I began to research the location of the PCV valve though I do not plan to replace it at this time.

Through school I have access to Mitchell online service (ondemand5.com).
I am having a rough time locating the PCV valve with this service. The estimator says replacing the PCV valve takes .5 hours.
My hunch is the PCV valve is under the Upper intake manifold, if so , I do not see how this estimate is possible in that I feel it takes at least 20-25 minutes to properly disconnect everything and get the manifold off (I feel this because I took the manifold off for the manifold).

May someone please a few questions and for this I would be very helped and appreciative.

1. Is the Mitchell estimate correct? And am I doing anything wrong looking for the PCV valve location on there?

and 2. May you please tell me the location of the PCV valve?

Thank you for your time,
Jeff

[rabbitdog]

The PCV valve is under the Upper intake manifold. Follow the metal tube (which is connected to the underside of the throttle body with a rubber elbow connector) down to the middle top of the engine under a wiring harness. The metal tube is connected to the PCV valve by way of a short rubber tube that you may or may not be able to see.

I've never changed mine because it looks like too much work. But I've read where some people take off the intake manifold to get to it; I think that's the sure way, but it will take more than .5 hours. I have also read where people take the air filter and some of the other air intake components off to make working room and then use a 7/8 inch deep socket with extensions to reach in and get it out ( I think you have to rotate it 180 degrees to get it out). This second method might take .5 hours, but I think you will need a little luck to make the method work.

I discovered all this when I changed the rubber elbow which was cracked and leaking and causing a couple codes.