Howdy! So, replacing the PCV valve today it seems that the grommet disintegrated and fell down into the hole it sits in. After several attempts to fish it out, it managed to disappear completely within the hole. I've included the MajesticHonda diagram to hopefully help figure out if it's in the breather box (and can be safely ignored) or if it's in somewhere where the car should not be started until it can be removed.

It's item #4 on this diagram.



Can I leave it in there or do I need to get it out?

 

There is baffling under the cover, but if the grommet is disintegrating it can fall onto the valvetrain or plug an oil return hole.

Removal of the TB and upper plenum is not hard at all. The gaskets are reusable, including the valve cover gaskets.

If the car has over 100K miles and there are no records or valve adjustment or EGR passage being cleaned, I'd highly suggest taking this opportunity to do both. Very easy to do on the V6s, and will spare you aggravation later down the road.

 

Valve Adjustment was done about 10k miles ago, EGR passage cleaned approximately the same time.

I'd say the only reason why I'm resisting pulling the valve cover off is because I'm 2 hours away from my tools, with only a basic socket set. I'm still relatively hopeful that the baffling will allow me to use a vacuum cleaner with some fuel line duct taped to the end to "suction" the grommet to where I can use some hemostats to pull it out? Do you know if the baffling prevents the whole grommet from dropping down into the valvetrain (is it a rectangular prism with holes in it) Or is it just a flat metal plate with holes but nothing at the end of it to prevent the grommet from dropping off of it?

Hopefully that makes sense to you.