I just finished doing the head gaskets in my truck and while I was at it I switched out the oil pump, timing chain and water pump. I also cleaned out the valve covers above the plate and replaced the oil separator which was caked with junk, plus I cleaned the fuel injectors and the purge valve. Now that it's all done, the most noticeable change has been the brake feel. I think the PCV was so clogged that the vacuum to the booster was messed up. I was surprised but the pedal feel is really much better. I have an '04 which has the oil separator in a tube in the valve cover that has a cap on it with a small hole drilled in it. I had the valve cover off so I was able to get to it easily but I think the tube can be pulled out to gain access. On the older models, I believe the tube is open on the end. Anyway, if your brake pedal feel is poor, check the PCV.

 

By PCV are you referring to the intake manifold where the plastic tube from the booster connects via a small red piece of plastic? If not could you take a picture? Id like to check this out.

 

The PCV is your Positive Crankcase Ventilation system. On the passenger side valve cover there is a hose that connects to the fitting right next to the red one you referred to. Where it connects to the valve cover there is a tube that has a plastic oil separator in it that is prone to clogging. There is also another hose on the driver's side valve cover that completes the system. The idea is that air goes into the crankcase as needed on the driver's side and comes out on the passenger side. The driver's side hose connects upstream from the throttle plate and the passenger's side connects downstream where it is typically under vacuum. The flow out will have oil vapor in it so that is supposed to get collected by the separator and then drip back into the engine while the dirty air gets sent through the engine where it gets burned and goes through the converter instead of sending it out into the air. Check this thread: https://landroverforums.com/forum/di...t-22897/page4/

 

From what I read in that thread you linked, you cant get that tube/cap off the valve cover unless you remove the entire valve cover itself and use a small pinch to gently bang it out from the inside. Im planning on doing my valve cover gaskets soon but not just yet so Ill just wait on cleaning this part. Thanks.

 

You can easily disconnect the hose at the intake manifold and see if you can blow through it. If you can, it should be clean enough to work for now anyway. Just be careful not to break the ****** fitting when you do it. They're made of plastic and can get very brittle with age.

 

I know.... in the last couple months Ive managed to break 2 different plastic cooling tubes on my truck. The one that connects into the radiator on the driver side right beside the air box and the pipe that connects the expansion tank to the intake manifold. Ill give it a shot but if it feels like its gonna break ill leave it be. That said I do have extra rubber fuel line now so.