Quick question. I have removed my iacv to clean it and hopefully fix my idle problems I've been having, 1k-2k RPM's up and down..

Other than it being a little dirty does this look like it would be a problem? There isn't gunk in it clogging the vent or anything. Also should I use brake cleaner, or carb cleaner and should I soak it or just use qtips? I've never done this sort of thing before. I've replaced an alternator and a throttle cable before and that's the extent of my mechanical skills. Any input is greatly appreciated, thanks guys.

 

You can just spray brake cleaner on it till it runs clear or use carb cleaner with a Q tip, carb cleaner eats gaskets. And that can actually be keeping your idle pretty high. You'll be surprised.

 

All that dirt would keep my idle high you mean? I would have never thought something that looked like it was sandblasted with dirt would affect the idle so much. Would this only make the idle high? My problem is when the engine is cold it idles from 1k-2k up and down, when the engine has warmed up it idles at 500 and below.

I'll just go with the brake cleaner, the gasket isn't brittle and seems like it's in good condition.

 

wait, thats what engnes do Bro, engines rev high when cold and idle low at hot.

A dirty IACV would make you idle high all the time

 

Yeah I know they rev high when cold. The tempature here right now is high 60's low 70's. When the cars engine is cold it revs sporadically between 1k and 2k, up and down. Quickly over and over again.

 

Okay, clean your IACV regardless, it will probably help.

A dirty IACV will create high idle and fluctuating idle.

 

Yeah definitely. Thanks for the input.

 

what about starts fine....idles fine...when u take off it sticks and jumps at 1500rpms and wont go up unless u give it more gas...**** is annoying....

 

^Tune up?

 

everything is new....it has the iacv cel...cleaned them...replaced them...still the same...a guy bumped my post and said clean the fitv....ill try that wen i get back to my car....hopefully it works...

 

Just thought I would do a follow up.

The iac valve was encrusted with this gunk and wouldn't flow out on its own. So flooded it with brake cleaner and q tipped it. The valve is actually a different color now, not black like it is in the pic. Anyway I cleaned that and the throttle body and my irregular idle problem is fixed. I'm glad you told me carb cleaner eats gaskets, feels good to avoid a bad gasket problem in the future. Thanks again.

 

^ you probably just oxidized the metal, like how copper turns green. When my PS O ring blew, I cleaned the metal pipe that connects to the pump and now it has a purple hue. Nothing serious so don't worry.

 

Hey port, you didn't take any after pics of the IACV did you? I am having somewhat of a similar issue but when warm my car idles soo low it just dies.

I took out the iacv and cleaned with brake cleaner ( I also had to flood it out and let it dry) but the car continues to stall.

 

No sorry I didn't take pictures after. I thoroughly cleaned it though. It wasn't sparkling clean but it wasn't black anywhere except a few spots inside where I couldn't reach.

It sounds like you have another problem going on. Do you have any air leaks? Do the throttle body test.. if I remember right if you take the iacv off and cover that area with duct tape or something and the car stalls then you don't have leaks, if the car idles low and still runs then you have leaks. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

^wow, no. If you remove the intake and cover the tb with your hand to create a seal. If the car dies, no vac leak, if it runs, vac leak.

And a dirty IACV will cause you to run high, not stall out. You have a fuel or air problem

 

Does anyone know if a dirty IACV would cause high emmisions reading during idle?