Changing out the Secondary Air Valve

Well the fallout from the backdraft from the Catalytic Converter caused debris to clog the Secondary Air Valve and render it useless. I'm going to change out the upstream O2 sensor today.

So within the week I'm going to change out the Secondary Air Valve on my 97 318i. I checked the DIY websites and found no instruction on the process, and the Haynes manuel is like reading Greek. If anyone has encountered changing their Secondary Air Valve, could someone please explain it to me in a way my chimp brain can understand it, or possibly direct me to a site that has a DIY for changing out that part?

Thanks for your help and time.

-Ian

I think this covers it, Ian:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...threadid=92029

Thanks Ken.

I'm going to do a little research to see if those fault codes for the 323i and 328i are the same as the fault code I received. The fault code I got was P1423, I havent been able to find a diffinitive answer for that code. I have gotten O2 sensor, secondary air valve, and secondary air pump as the cause of the code, Autozone tried to tell me the the Volvo has the same fault codes and tried to sell me a $500 air pump and I walked out on them. Most of the conversations on various forums have revolved around the O2 sensor and the air valve, so I'm replacing both. I figured the car has about 130,000 miles on it, so what could hurt replacing both items right?

-Ian

Oh and another name for the part is PCV Valve; Emissions Control Valve part #11721433713