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IAC Valve Cleaning?

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  #1  
Old 09-05-2007 | 09:59 AM
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Default IAC Valve Cleaning?

Whats a good solution to clean the IAC Valve with, mine is sticking a little bit and causing problems with the car starting some in the mornings or when the car has sat for a bit. Figure since it will be getting a little cooler soon and will cause more problems then too, may as well take care of it now then later.

My friend thats a mechanic told me to try cleaning it, I think with Carb. Spray?

Or I might just go get one at Auto Zone for $54 and be done with it.

Thanks!
 
  #2  
Old 09-05-2007 | 01:31 PM
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Carb cleaner works from what I hear. However, I'd like to do this as well but have no clue how to do. I took the IAC off didn't know where to go from there. Sorry from the hijack but I need to do mine as well so I'd like some info.
 
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Old 09-05-2007 | 01:48 PM
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also change your PCV valve as thats one of the leading cause's of IAC problems and DO NOT buy the PCV vale, IAC or ANY other stuff like that from a parts store as the quality is just not there, only buy OEM
 
  #4  
Old 09-05-2007 | 01:49 PM
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Another fella recommended this:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002KKIL4/...4&linkCode=asn

Berryman B12 Chemtool Fuel Injection Air-Intake Cleaner
 
  #5  
Old 09-05-2007 | 02:19 PM
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Some carb cleaner will do the trick man...
 
  #6  
Old 09-05-2007 | 04:59 PM
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I have been wanted to do a write up on this but you need to clean the IAC then lubricate the shaft so the plunger can move without any binding.
 
  #7  
Old 09-06-2007 | 05:39 AM
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I bought a new IACV last night from AutoZone, the last one they had...but I am gonna try and clean the current one after replacing it and see how I make out then, maybe I will do a write up myself for users. Didnt think this would have caught so much attention but it seems to be a real problem as I can see from the interest here.
 
  #8  
Old 09-06-2007 | 07:41 AM
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I have one completely taken apart but have to see what I did with it.
 
  #9  
Old 09-23-2007 | 03:12 PM
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carb cleaner will work, but I consider it only a temporary fix
 
  #10  
Old 09-23-2007 | 03:49 PM
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I ended up just replacing mine for $60 from Advance Auto Parts
 
  #11  
Old 09-24-2007 | 02:05 AM
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IAC is what?
 
  #12  
Old 09-24-2007 | 05:58 AM
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Idle Air Controller mounts on throttle body and controls idle.
 
  #13  
Old 10-25-2007 | 05:15 PM
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how far does it open when switch is on?? mine only opens a little bit
 
  #14  
Old 10-25-2007 | 05:27 PM
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Originally Posted by venom
I have been wanted to do a write up on this but you need to clean the IAC then lubricate the shaft so the plunger can move without any binding.
What kind of grease should be used? Would just wheel bearing type grease be ok?
 
  #15  
Old 10-26-2007 | 11:14 PM
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I would say nothing heavy but a lighter grease than wheel bearing like lithium.
 
  #16  
Old 10-27-2007 | 08:20 AM
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Gents:

There are TONS of updates on IAC's. Ford has made numerous changes to this part over the years depending on the model you have. I would be very hestitant buying one from a parts store unless you are getting a custom tune anyway and the money you save on the cheaper Autozone part might transplate into 20 to 30 minutes more jacking with the tune.

The IAC can get dirty, but they should not get dirty all the time. If they are, you might have another issue. PCV are really cheap and a quick fix.

As far as cleaning, it is simple. Take the thing off and spray is with Throttle-Bottle friendly carb cleaning. You will see the carbon come right off. I soak mine in a small container filled with cleaner for about 10 minutes. Then just shake it off, let it dry, and slap it back on.
 
  #17  
Old 10-27-2007 | 09:06 AM
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I bought an auto zone iac for my stang about 1.5 yrs back and haven't had any problems..
 
  #18  
Old 10-27-2007 | 10:11 AM
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Well, that is not to say that they won't work, it just depends if Autozone has the most recent updated version. It also does not mean that a non-updated part won't work either, just perhaps not as well.

A lot of your guys have problems at idle not because of the IAC, but because of mods done to your car. A tune can be used to adjust the IAC settings then to correct the idle.
 
  #19  
Old 10-29-2007 | 06:57 AM
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I can see getting the one from Ford if it didnt cost close to $100 personally, but I got the one from AutoZone for like $60 instead and havent had any problems what so ever and this was back when I first posted about this topic. And the only mods I have is my mufflers, nothing really special there and the exhaust had smelled like it was just breathing alot of gas prior to the IAC change and now I can have the windows down and not breath gas coming from the exhaust system.
 
  #20  
Old 10-29-2007 | 07:28 AM
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well, you just have to know what/which Ford dealer to buy from
 
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