How to Change the Tribute PCV Valve
by Richard RoweThe Mazda Tribute is essentially a re-badged Ford Escape, built right alongside the Escape and its Mercury Mariner twin in Ford's Claycomo, Missouri plant. The Tribute comes with one of three Duratec engines: the 2.5- and 2.3-liter inline four-cylinder or the 3.0-liter V6. All three are equipped with positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) systems that use the engine's intake vacuum to create negative pressure inside the engine block. These systems use a valve in the valve cover that allows the engine to pull air out of the crankcase without pulling oil out with it.
Step 1
Pop the hood and disconnect your Tribute's negative battery cable. This will help keep you from accidentally shorting something with a mis-placed tool.
Step 2
Locate the positive PCV hose. It's the very thick rubber hose coming out of the engine's plastic intake tube. It connects to the bottom-side of the intake tube and snakes down into the engine. It connects to the PCV valve on the valve cover. The PCV valve is easy to find on four-cylinder models, but you'll need to look beneath the intake manifold on V6-equipped versions.
Step 3
Disconnect the PCV valve electrical connector; you may need to pop the tab loose with a flat head screwdriver.
Step 4
Turn the PCV valve one-quarter turn counterclockwise and pull it free. You may find it easier to turn the PCV valve on V6-equipped models with a socket and extension, then pull it out with a pair of needle-nose pliers.
Step 5
Install the new PCV valve by slipping it into place then turning it a quarter-turn clockwise. Reconnect the electrical connection and plug the PCV hose back in. Reconnect the negative battery cable and start the engine to test the installation. The Tribute will show a "Check Engine" light if you've done anything wrong.
References
- Edmunds: Mazda Tribute Review
- 2 Car Pros: Ford Escape PCV Valve Replacement
- "Ford Escape 2001-2007 Repair Manual"; John H. Haynes and Ken Freund; 2007
Things You'll Need
- Full socket set with extensions
- Flat head screwdrivers
- Needle-nose pliers (Optional)
Writer Bio
Richard Rowe has been writing professionally since 2007, specializing in automotive topics. He has worked as a tractor-trailer driver and mechanic, a rigger at a fire engine factory and as a race-car driver and builder. Rowe studied engineering, philosophy and American literature at Central Florida Community College.
