Hi everyone! I purchased a PCV valve for my 2007 Prius from an online seller but the part I received had signs of wear. There were scratches on the surface of the valve that suggest it may have been used and not new. Is this normal for a new PCV valve or am I getting scammed with a used part? Sorry if this is a silly question, but I don't want to replace the old valve in my car with another used, old valve. Thank you in advance! Here are a couple of pics:
That looks very burnished for a "new" part. I can see if they're stored in bulk (commendable) that it might get a nick or two, but that looks used. Good pics BTW.
Mine looked very similar. And I got it from an official Toyota dealer. As long as you dont see any oil inside and it rattles freely when you shake it, it should be ok - Alex
The rattle should have a very metallic sound, not muffled by deposits in the valve. You could also smell the valve interior - if you smell any HC that is evidence the valve is used.
Thank you everyone for your help and input! The valve rattles freely and clearly, no sign of any oil residue, and I don't smell anything from the interior. I will have my mechanic take a second look just to be sure before he installs it. I bought the valve from Amazon Marketplace from a seller who is supposedly affiliated with a network of dealerships, so the part should be Toyota Genuine OEM. But it's pretty beat-up for a new part, as others have mentioned. Thanks again everyone!
It's probably a bulk part, just thrown in a box on a shelf in inventory. Gets pretty beat up cosmetically, but functionally fine.