Tune Up Question

I thought I would post this here as the engines in the 97 Blazer and Bravada are the same. I am currently doing a tune up on my 97 Bravada 4.3 V6. I have changed the plugs and that was not too bad except for the middle plug on the drivers side. That was a nightmare. I ended up having to cut a 1/4" of the end of my spark plug socket to get it in past the steering column. I also added a new air filter too.

My question is... Where exactly is the PCV valve as I have a new one of those and what is the easiest way to go about putting in my new fuel line filter? Thanks for any help as it is greatly appreciated.

the pcv valve is a small valve that is connected to a hose that goes into your valve cover. it should rattle if its not clogged up. you should be able to simply pull it out of the valve cover by hand. it is not threaded like a screw. pcv valve is a very inexpensive part and so if yours is gummed up or clogged, i'd recommend replacing.

good work on the plugs ... after doing it once, you get other ideas of what types of extensions and swivels can work ...

there was just a post on fuel filter change ... pretty easy ... just releive your pressure at the schraeder valve (looks like a bicycle innertube valve and is located at the back of your engine intake) first to minimize any spray when you loosen the filter nuts ... (eye safety)

most importantly, spend $20 and buy a Haynes manual for your truck at Autozone. it will show you how to do all these things.

none of these are difficult so good luck and have fun and enjoy the $$ you save doing it yourself!



I thought I would post this here as the engines in the 97 Blazer and Bravada are the same. I am currently doing a tune up on my 97 Bravada 4.3 V6. I have changed the plugs and that was not too bad except for the middle plug on the drivers side. That was a nightmare. I ended up having to cut a 1/4" of the end of my spark plug socket to get it in past the steering column. I also added a new air filter too.

My question is... Where exactly is the PCV valve as I have a new one of those and what is the easiest way to go about putting in my new fuel line filter? Thanks for any help as it is greatly appreciated.

I got the manual and finished the tune up:) Thanks for the help drdd!

I got the manual and finished the tune up:) Thanks for the help drdd!

PCV valve is in your driver's side valve cover. Replace it even if it rattles. They should be replaced every 40,000 miles or so.

The easiest way i found to change the plugs is to remove the front tires and go in through the rubber flaps in the fenderwells,still need swivel adapter. also SEARS makes a set of socket caps that snap in the sockets,then use a wrench to break them loose.

Even easier to simply remove the 11mm bolt at the bottom of the intermediate shaft, collapse the shaft into iself then move it to the side. It's keyed so you won't screw up positioning when putting it back on the steering box.. Takes about 2 mins

Even easier to simply remove the 11mm bolt at the bottom of the intermediate shaft, collapse the shaft into iself then move it to the side. It's keyed so you won't screw up positioning when putting it back on the steering box.. Takes about 2 mins

This is true, if you can find this bolt.

I tried to find it 3 or 4 times and never saw this bolt you talk about.

I know that it is there and you aren't pulling our legs, it is just hard to find.

Perhaps a picture of this bolt? It would be greatly appreciated. :D

There is a plastic shroud that is around the shaft, that has to be taken off first...the bolt is then right there for you...

WEird, I lifted that shroud too but never found it.

An exact location photo would still rock though. ;)

i just snapped two pics of mine but cant post til later tonite cuz my cables are at my girlfriends place ...

careful folks and don't do the dumb thing I did :

I was going thru the wheel wells AND using the 11m bolt collapsing method. I forgot I had the bolt disconnected and I turned my steering wheel. Uggh. Now I had to get the teeth realigned. I got so frustrated getting the teeth to align that I did straighten my steering to dead center.

End result, everything steers fine, the steering wheel is just not centered. Just looks funny and is a minor nuisance. Maybe, I get around to fixing it ...



WEird, I lifted that shroud too but never found it.

An exact location photo would still rock though. ;)

Well, this pic (see link below) may not be as helpful as I thought cuz I forgot I had got mine ghetto-rigged, but its a start.

There is is a plastic sheath that protects the teeth and bolt. The sheath doesn't slide up the shaft to reveal the bolt. Rather, the plastic is in two halfs that clip/snap together. You have to un-snap the two halfs to see the bolt.

On my pic, you can see that one of the plastic snaps is broken. I took some ghetto wire and fastened it back together. This did the trick as the original plastic snap is not an especially tight connection to begin with.

I admit I was lazy and didn't unwire it to take a photo so you still can't see the bolt. Sorry. Its there though. You just can't slide the plastic up to expose it. You gotta split the two halves.

Be gentle. Dont break the plastic.


http://photobucket.com/albums/b390/drdd/Jimmy/?action=view&current=Picture038.jpg




i just snapped two pics of mine but cant post til later tonite cuz my cables are at my girlfriends place ...

careful folks and don't do the dumb thing I did :

I was going thru the wheel wells AND using the 11m bolt collapsing method. I forgot I had the bolt disconnected and I turned my steering wheel. Uggh. Now I had to get the teeth realigned. I got so frustrated getting the teeth to align that I did straighten my steering to dead center.

End result, everything steers fine, the steering wheel is just not centered. Just looks funny and is a minor nuisance. Maybe, I get around to fixing it ...

Oh yeah ... if you have the same Haynes manual I do (Blazer / Jimmy 1995 - 2001) ... check out the pic on Chapt 10-15 upper right hand corner ... it shows what is under the plastic halves.

... that be the bolt!



Well, this pic (see link below) may not be as helpful as I thought cuz I forgot I had got mine ghetto-rigged, but its a start.

There is is a plastic sheath that protects the teeth and bolt. The sheath doesn't slide up the shaft to reveal the bolt. Rather, the plastic is in two halfs that clip/snap together. You have to un-snap the two halfs to see the bolt.

On my pic, you can see that one of the plastic snaps is broken. I took some ghetto wire and fastened it back together. This did the trick as the original plastic snap is not an especially tight connection to begin with.

I admit I was lazy and didn't unwire it to take a photo so you still can't see the bolt. Sorry. Its there though. You just can't slide the plastic up to expose it. You gotta split the two halves.

Be gentle. Dont break the plastic.


http://photobucket.com/albums/b390/drdd/Jimmy/?action=view&current=Picture038.jpg