How do you clean the IAC?

[oilpan49]

Tommorow I'll be installing a K&N FIPK(no bashing, don't want to hear it) for my truck and while I'm at it, I'd like to clean out the IAC (Idle Air Control) I hear this helps to smooth out idle and better throttle response. It's not supposed to be a big improvement but since I've never done it before, I figure it couldn't hurt. Has anyone ever done this before?? If so, how did you do it? what products or just what in general did you use?? Thanks,,,,,,AR

Edit: I drive a 98 Ford Ranger 2.5L 4banger

 

[Ken4]

Remove the intake hose. Locate a small cavity near the throttle plate. Example:

Use sensor safe throttle body cleaner. Use a plastic tube extension, stick it into the hole and give it a squirt. My toyota uses IAT / MAP sensor, so I can keep the engine running while i squirt the IAC. On engines with MAF sensor, you cant keep the engine running, it will die off. So just squirt some into the hole, start the engine up, you will hear a loud swoosh sound as the fluid gets sucked thru the IAC, then the engine will die. Do this 2~3 more times and you're done.

 

[brianl703]

quote:

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Originally posted by Ken4:
On engines with MAF sensor, you cant keep the engine running, it will die off.

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Yes you can...if it's a Ford..all you have to do is unplug the electrical connector from the MAF and it'll start right up without the MAF. Sometimes you don't even need to unplug the MAF.

I've run all of the following MAF-equipped cars with the air intake duct disconnected:

1988 Mustang 5.0 (converted to MAF)
1991 Ford Escort
1995 Ford Contour (I even drove this one a short distance with the MAF unplugged)
1996 Ford Contour (this one requires unplugging the MAF..all the rest run fine with the MAF plugged in)

Sophisticated Failure Effects Mode Management in the Ford EEC makes this possible.

 

[MaximaGuy]

When I clean the throttle body I spray some cleaner (usually use Valvoline syn carb cleaner, it is safe on sensors) on the IAC, and restart the car. Though the car doesn't start immediately, it would die couple of times and then eventually it will... I don't disconnect the MAF either.

 

[Kestas]

I don't see how the IAC can be cleaned unless it's removed from the car. Once it's removed, you'll see a lot of nooks and crannies in the dirty part of the IAC. I use a small, stiff brush and solvent to clean out the area.

 

[Russ]

This is the first time I've heard of cleaning the IAC without removing it from the engine.
Won't all the gunk liquefy and then settle elsewhere in the IAC and TB passages if it's not blown out of there with compressed air? Or will it simply get sucked into the engine and go out the tailpipe?

Much like Kestas, I was under the impression that IAC needs to be removed from the TB assembly and cleaned by hand and then thoroughly dried off.

 

[punisher]

Ford has a couple of different IACs, the metal body types and the plastic bodies. The metal bodied ones can be removed, the 2 philips screws removed, the IAC separated and the pintle portion cleaned. The plastic IACs seemed to be more tolerant and we just gave them a quick spray of carb/TB cleaner while the engine was running. Try not to hit the plastic IACs with real light solvent cleaners that attack plastic. There is an internal plastic piece that can degrade if the wrong cleaner is used.

Cleaning the IAC does not effect throttle response.

 

[MaximaGuy]

quote:

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Originally posted by Kestas:
I don't see how the IAC can be cleaned unless it's removed from the car. Once it's removed, you'll see a lot of nooks and crannies in the dirty part of the IAC. I use a small, stiff brush and solvent to clean out the area.

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I must say you must be real patient to bring the hardware associated with the IAC out and clean it. It is as unaccessible as the starter in a car with bolts in real hard to access spots -- if you drop one accidentally, that is it!!!

I get sore when I clean my throttle body, all that stretching takes a toll on me for atleast 2 days!!!

 

[oilpan49]

Well I called Advance Auto today and they quoted me I sh*t you not $368 for the stupid thing! Yea and there website says $250 something. ****** me off bad

Well in luck for me Summit has the same thing only they sell it as a kit for under $300 and I'll get to assemble it myself which will be pretty cool to do.

Anyway, Sounds like to me that cleaning the IAC won't help much. I want to get the most from my truck when I get the K&N. Yea I know, I probably sould've named this thread, getting the most from K&N filters. What if I cleaned the TB, would that help any?? I don't think my TB is too bad, least from when I last looked at it which was ????????????????????????????? oh few months ago. Thanks for the help everyone,,,,,AR