Pressure relief valve

[bcsideshow]

How loose should the pressure relief valve be??? I know this is fairly hard to quantify. I had read somewhere you should be able to pull it out with a magnet. I don't have a strong enough magnet I guess. I can gently pry it back with a screwdriver from the filter side and the spring has enough pressure to push it back. It moves without a lot of force but I wouldn't say freely. Is this only a problem if my pressure is too high?

[tufcj]

With no spring it should slide freely end/end in the bore. With the spring behind it, it will be fairly difficult to move, there's a fair amount of "preload" on the spring.

If it's hard to move without the spring, then it's definitely too tight. Usually a good cleaning of the bore and plunger with some carb cleaner will free it up. It's usually just varnish from old oil and heat. it's OK to scuff it a bit with a Scotch-Brite, just don't go crazy.

Bob
tufcj