IAC valve cleaning thread (w/pics) - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

*karl_burns* · 07-27-2003, 09:46 PM

Have you ever noticed a loud hum and/or whine (whining) coming from your engine bay? Or more specifically your intake area? Or does your engine have a hard time holding the idle? Well, more often than not, this is due to a dirty IAC Valve. Since everyone is always asking about it, hopefully this will help.

My engine was making the loud hum / whine noise. AutoZone wanted $131.99 for a new part. and it's $50 deductible against my extended warranty, so I wanted to fix this myself. I purchased a can of Electrical Parts cleaner, the non-residue type, drove home and let the engine cool. Here's a pic of where the IAC Valve is located under the hood:

Two 10mm bolts to remove, and unclip the electricals:

Here's the dirty intake's connection with the IAC:

Turn the valve to notice two chambers. Inside one of them you will see a spring. Inside the other, you will probably see a bunch of dirt coating what should be an exposed sensor. Spray the Electrical parts cleaner liberally, directly into the opening, and watch until the liquid coming out of the valve is clear (white). Set the IAC on a towel or clean surface and allow any other liquid to drain and the sensor to fully dry. Here's a picture of a clean IAC valve (underside):

And don't forget to clean the sensor below the black snap off cap on the side of the IAC valve:

After allowing to dry, replace the IAC and start your truck. You should allow the engine to warm up for a few mintues and the computer will re-learn how much air to allow into the engine at idle.
I experienced a much LOUDER whine after doing this for the remainder of the day, but I only allwed the liquid to drain for about 2 minutes. The whine hasn't returned in two days since, so I'm guessing the liquid cleaner wasn't completely drained when I replaced the IAC Valve. Just a warning in case you are anxious like me.

Karl

CBOUG76.... can I be on the Useful Threads list?

Opera House · 07-28-2003, 08:23 AM

The outside black plastic cap that easily spins will pop off and snap back on without damage. Inside there is a felt filter pellet. Cleaning just the valve without removing this often cloggs this filter up worse. This source of back air flow balances the valve and provides clean air to prevent buildup on valve. Often just cleaning this will get rd of the moose calls. Add pictures of this and you have something.

*drmoore71* · 07-28-2003, 09:18 AM

karlito, i am so proud of you! you got your hands ditry! now i need a moment to wipe the tear from my eye. you do know, however that not allowing the cleaner to drain completely could have led to an incendiary situation, though.

aldive · 07-28-2003, 09:41 AM

Nice pics, thanks.

*karl_burns* · 07-28-2003, 01:24 PM

Now that I know it spins off, I'll check that tonight. Mine wasn't coming off easily, so I didn't press my luck.
I'll append my post with pics of that.
Thanks Opera House,
Karl

*Jason_25* · 07-28-2003, 01:29 PM

It doesn't spin off, it just pops off when you pull it outward.

williecume · 07-28-2003, 02:08 PM

i think i'll try this saturday, i'm getting tired of the whining also.

*karl_burns* · 07-28-2003, 07:03 PM

Didn't look like much in there, but went ahead and sprayed cleaner on it as well. Allowed to dry for almost an hour, so hopefully I don't get that same 100 db whine I got when it was still wet Saturday!
At least it went away, and I didn't have a date that night.....
<Don't even think about flaming me Doug>

Karl

*drmoore71* · 07-28-2003, 11:11 PM

Quote:

and I didn't have a date that night.....

NO DATE?!?!?!? are you losing your touch?

Opera House · 07-29-2003, 10:12 AM

But, that plastic item is two piece. The outside plastic cap snaps off the inner plastic piece which stays on the IAC. Between these two pieces is the felt filter pellet. Interesting how much sand makes its way up there.

MaverickDaKid · 08-23-2003, 09:07 PM

Sorry I'm not that smart when it comes to mechanics but... what is that thing under the IAC called. It has 2 tubes leading down somewhere in the engine and has an electrical socket aswell?

*X~FACTOR* · 08-23-2003, 09:31 PM

I noticed you have a '98, karl. I have a '97 with 60k miles and have not experience this problem at all [knock on wood]. What mileage does this normally occur?

Very good write up btw.

*frickea86* · 08-23-2003, 10:09 PM

i have a question...i've done all this and the wineing noise still hasn't gone away. my rough idle has some but it comes back off and on. i'm just wondering if its not functioning as well as it should be. how do u know when it needs replaced?...thanks...

adam

*karl_burns* · 08-24-2003, 01:54 AM

The other day, while this thing was wining a whole lot during idle and driving, I decided to pull over, popped the hood, and yanked/removed the black plastic cap from the side of the IAC. NO more whining. NO loss in milage. NO change in idle.
Hmmmmm........
Karl

*X~FACTOR* · 08-24-2003, 08:30 AM

karl_burns, wouldn't removing the black cap get the inside of it dirtier faster? It's gotta be there for a reason. If nothing else its there to cover the inside so dirt would not go in.

*'96explorereddiebauer* · 08-24-2003, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MaverickDaKid
Sorry I'm not that smart when it comes to mechanics but... what is that thing under the IAC called. It has 2 tubes leading down somewhere in the engine and has an electrical socket aswell?

That's the DPFE. I had to replace that last week because of the CEL.

nfixit · 09-28-2003, 03:17 PM

Hello all, I just brought a 97' xlt 5.0L, and I notice an idle problem also BUT IT HAPPENS AFTER THE TRUCK WARMS UP!, when I sitting at a traffic light it starts to vibrate a little then some times alot(like it wants to shut off). My question is do the IAC sensor have problems on v8 also?. and is it located in the same place as the v6

Thanks in advance, the dealer I brought the truck is a distance (2.5hrs), I want to have an idea what the problem is so I don't have to make more than one trip!

Nfixit

*V8BoatBuilder* · 09-29-2003, 01:31 PM

Just cleaned my IAC, it was SUPER dirty. I was having trouble starting, and a dip in RPMs (almost to the point of stalling) when coming to a stop. We'll see if the cleaning helps, I used denatured alcohol.

I wasn't able to clean the felt pads that well

Foo · 09-29-2003, 05:33 PM

I also cleaned mine out today it was DIRTY! coming from a paintball backround which involves a lot of valving I don't even see how it sealed properly lol

I used some Turner Labratories electronic parts cleaner w/quick dry tech. and it worked great... just waiting for them to dry off

Also do I need to take the negative battery cable off for about 10 minutes to clear the PCM?

*karl_burns* · 09-29-2003, 07:15 PM

I don't think I disconnected my batter either.
Actually, my IAC continued to whine, and I yanked off the black cap. Instantly, no whine. So I'm thinking the cap gets loose and air tries to get through there causing the whine? I also think that becasue of the video someone put up here about the IAC whining when his hand attpeted to partially seal off that hole the black cap covers.
Thi is so weird.........
Karl

07-27-2003, 09:46 PM	#1
karl_burns Elite Explorer Winston Salem, NC - Go Deacs! 98 Sport OHV 5speed Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,198 Vehicle Specs	IAC valve cleaning thread (w/pics) Have you ever noticed a loud hum and/or whine (whining) coming from your engine bay? Or more specifically your intake area? Or does your engine have a hard time holding the idle? Well, more often than not, this is due to a dirty IAC Valve. Since everyone is always asking about it, hopefully this will help. My engine was making the loud hum / whine noise. AutoZone wanted $131.99 for a new part. and it's $50 deductible against my extended warranty, so I wanted to fix this myself. I purchased a can of Electrical Parts cleaner, the non-residue type, drove home and let the engine cool. Here's a pic of where the IAC Valve is located under the hood: Two 10mm bolts to remove, and unclip the electricals: Here's the dirty intake's connection with the IAC: Turn the valve to notice two chambers. Inside one of them you will see a spring. Inside the other, you will probably see a bunch of dirt coating what should be an exposed sensor. Spray the Electrical parts cleaner liberally, directly into the opening, and watch until the liquid coming out of the valve is clear (white). Set the IAC on a towel or clean surface and allow any other liquid to drain and the sensor to fully dry. Here's a picture of a clean IAC valve (underside): And don't forget to clean the sensor below the black snap off cap on the side of the IAC valve: After allowing to dry, replace the IAC and start your truck. You should allow the engine to warm up for a few mintues and the computer will re-learn how much air to allow into the engine at idle. I experienced a much LOUDER whine after doing this for the remainder of the day, but I only allwed the liquid to drain for about 2 minutes. The whine hasn't returned in two days since, so I'm guessing the liquid cleaner wasn't completely drained when I replaced the IAC Valve. Just a warning in case you are anxious like me. Karl CBOUG76.... can I be on the Useful Threads list? __________________ Karl Burns 2000 Explorer Sport: KKM, BBK 66mm TB, Granatelli 70mm MAF, 3" Intake, 31" BFG AT/KOs 1998 Explorer Sport: Spindle Lift, SOA, Rancho 9000s, powered by Apten, PIAA 1500s and 520s Eclipse, McIntosh, Focal and JL sound system Last edited by karl_burns; 10-29-2007 at 07:14 PM.

07-28-2003, 08:23 AM	#2
Opera House Wannabe Elite Explorer Cincinnati, OH 97 Explorer XLT Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 2,092 Vehicle Specs	What!!!!! You didn't take off the plastic cap The outside black plastic cap that easily spins will pop off and snap back on without damage. Inside there is a felt filter pellet. Cleaning just the valve without removing this often cloggs this filter up worse. This source of back air flow balances the valve and provides clean air to prevent buildup on valve. Often just cleaning this will get rd of the moose calls. Add pictures of this and you have something. __________________ Rule #7: Believing and seeing are often both wrong. (FOW) 02, 97, 92 Explorer XLT 4X4 4.0L

07-28-2003, 09:18 AM	#3
drmoore71 Elite Explorer houston, texas 2006 Z-71 suburban Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 966 Vehicle Specs	karlito, i am so proud of you! you got your hands ditry! now i need a moment to wipe the tear from my eye. you do know, however that not allowing the cleaner to drain completely could have led to an incendiary situation, though. __________________ doug moore houston, tx 06 z-71 suburban(mine) & 03 trailblazer lt 2wd(hers) 66 mustang convertible 66 mustang hardtop (for sale) dougs truck drmoore71@att.net

07-28-2003, 09:41 AM	#4
aldive Elite In Memoriam 1999 XLT Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 25,280 Vehicle Specs	Nice pics, thanks. __________________ Al Franklin My truck My Quest for 30 RIP Al Franklin! 1947-2010. Gone but not forgotten! :(

07-28-2003, 01:24 PM	#5
karl_burns Elite Explorer Winston Salem, NC - Go Deacs! 98 Sport OHV 5speed Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,198 Vehicle Specs	Ooooooohhhhh Now that I know it spins off, I'll check that tonight. Mine wasn't coming off easily, so I didn't press my luck. I'll append my post with pics of that. Thanks Opera House, Karl __________________ Karl Burns 2000 Explorer Sport: KKM, BBK 66mm TB, Granatelli 70mm MAF, 3" Intake, 31" BFG AT/KOs 1998 Explorer Sport: Spindle Lift, SOA, Rancho 9000s, powered by Apten, PIAA 1500s and 520s Eclipse, McIntosh, Focal and JL sound system

07-28-2003, 01:29 PM	#6
Jason_25 Elite Explorer ECX Member New Bern, NC '95 Explorer "Expedition" Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 5,349 Vehicle Specs	It doesn't spin off, it just pops off when you pull it outward. __________________ 1995 Explorer "Expedition" 4.0 4x4 1987 Bronco II XLT 2.9 4x4 1988 Bronco II XLT 2.9 4x2 1997 Explorer XLT 5.0 4x2 My Truck

07-28-2003, 02:08 PM	#7
williecume Wannabe Elite Explorer Arlington, TX 97 xlt & 98 mounti Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 815 Vehicle Specs	i think i'll try this saturday, i'm getting tired of the whining also. __________________ 97 Explorer XLT 4-dr 4.0 OHV 5-speed manual custom dual exhaust from flowmaster 40 non-delta 2" autozone shackle lift 200+k miles now!

07-28-2003, 07:03 PM	#8
karl_burns Elite Explorer Winston Salem, NC - Go Deacs! 98 Sport OHV 5speed Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,198 Vehicle Specs	I updated to include the black cap Didn't look like much in there, but went ahead and sprayed cleaner on it as well. Allowed to dry for almost an hour, so hopefully I don't get that same 100 db whine I got when it was still wet Saturday! At least it went away, and I didn't have a date that night..... <Don't even think about flaming me Doug> Karl __________________ Karl Burns 2000 Explorer Sport: KKM, BBK 66mm TB, Granatelli 70mm MAF, 3" Intake, 31" BFG AT/KOs 1998 Explorer Sport: Spindle Lift, SOA, Rancho 9000s, powered by Apten, PIAA 1500s and 520s Eclipse, McIntosh, Focal and JL sound system

07-29-2003, 10:12 AM	#10
Opera House Wannabe Elite Explorer Cincinnati, OH 97 Explorer XLT Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 2,092 Vehicle Specs	Arrrrgh This is a tough crowd to please But, that plastic item is two piece. The outside plastic cap snaps off the inner plastic piece which stays on the IAC. Between these two pieces is the felt filter pellet. Interesting how much sand makes its way up there. __________________ Rule #7: Believing and seeing are often both wrong. (FOW) 02, 97, 92 Explorer XLT 4X4 4.0L

08-23-2003, 09:07 PM	#11
MaverickDaKid Wannabe Elite Explorer Poway, San Diego, CA (Born in Miami!) 93 XL and 96 XLT Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 124 Vehicle Specs	Sorry I'm not that smart when it comes to mechanics but... what is that thing under the IAC called. It has 2 tubes leading down somewhere in the engine and has an electrical socket aswell? __________________ 1996 Explorer XLT OHV 4x4 1993 Explorer XL OHV 4x4

08-23-2003, 09:31 PM	#12
X~FACTOR Name is Ray Valley Stream, Long Island '97 XLT 4-dr SOHC Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,715 Vehicle Specs	I noticed you have a '98, karl. I have a '97 with 60k miles and have not experience this problem at all [knock on wood]. What mileage does this normally occur? Very good write up btw. __________________ My Mods

08-23-2003, 10:09 PM	#13
frickea86 "Is that the Turbo?" SpringChurch, PA '97 XLT SOHC Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 1,381 Vehicle Specs	i have a question...i've done all this and the wineing noise still hasn't gone away. my rough idle has some but it comes back off and on. i'm just wondering if its not functioning as well as it should be. how do u know when it needs replaced?...thanks... adam __________________ Adam 4.0 SOHC Modified w/ Magnaflow Exhaust...

08-24-2003, 01:54 AM	#14
karl_burns Elite Explorer Winston Salem, NC - Go Deacs! 98 Sport OHV 5speed Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,198 Vehicle Specs	I really think most IACs have to be replaced The other day, while this thing was wining a whole lot during idle and driving, I decided to pull over, popped the hood, and yanked/removed the black plastic cap from the side of the IAC. NO more whining. NO loss in milage. NO change in idle. Hmmmmm........ Karl __________________ Karl Burns 2000 Explorer Sport: KKM, BBK 66mm TB, Granatelli 70mm MAF, 3" Intake, 31" BFG AT/KOs 1998 Explorer Sport: Spindle Lift, SOA, Rancho 9000s, powered by Apten, PIAA 1500s and 520s Eclipse, McIntosh, Focal and JL sound system

08-24-2003, 08:30 AM	#15
X~FACTOR Name is Ray Valley Stream, Long Island '97 XLT 4-dr SOHC Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,715 Vehicle Specs	karl_burns, wouldn't removing the black cap get the inside of it dirtier faster? It's gotta be there for a reason. If nothing else its there to cover the inside so dirt would not go in. __________________ My Mods

09-28-2003, 03:17 PM	#17
nfixit Wannabe Elite Explorer brooklyn/ny 97 Explorer XLT 5.0 Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 6 Vehicle Specs	Idle Hello all, I just brought a 97' xlt 5.0L, and I notice an idle problem also BUT IT HAPPENS AFTER THE TRUCK WARMS UP!, when I sitting at a traffic light it starts to vibrate a little then some times alot(like it wants to shut off). My question is do the IAC sensor have problems on v8 also?. and is it located in the same place as the v6 Thanks in advance, the dealer I brought the truck is a distance (2.5hrs), I want to have an idea what the problem is so I don't have to make more than one trip! Nfixit

09-29-2003, 01:31 PM	#18
V8BoatBuilder Transplanted Bostonian East Brunswick, NJ 97 Mountaineer V8 4x4 Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,377 Vehicle Specs	Just cleaned my IAC, it was SUPER dirty. I was having trouble starting, and a dip in RPMs (almost to the point of stalling) when coming to a stop. We'll see if the cleaning helps, I used denatured alcohol. I wasn't able to clean the felt pads that well __________________ -Aaron !!!!GO RED SOX!!!! Off Road: 97' Mountaineer: V8, 4x4, 4.56s, 4" Superlift, SOA, TrXus 33x12.5 - Under The Knife Work: 00' Ranger 4cyl 5spd On Road: 2006 VW Jetta TDI/6spd DSG. Fill it with diesel, please. Octopus Yachts, LLC Engineered Marine Electrical Systems

09-29-2003, 05:33 PM	#19
Foo Wannabe Elite Explorer Ashland, KY '03 XLT 4x4, 4.0L! Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 919 Vehicle Specs	I also cleaned mine out today it was DIRTY! coming from a paintball backround which involves a lot of valving I don't even see how it sealed properly lol I used some Turner Labratories electronic parts cleaner w/quick dry tech. and it worked great... just waiting for them to dry off Also do I need to take the negative battery cable off for about 10 minutes to clear the PCM?

09-29-2003, 07:15 PM	#20
karl_burns Elite Explorer Winston Salem, NC - Go Deacs! 98 Sport OHV 5speed Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,198 Vehicle Specs	Just let it dry and you should be fine I don't think I disconnected my batter either. Actually, my IAC continued to whine, and I yanked off the black cap. Instantly, no whine. So I'm thinking the cap gets loose and air tries to get through there causing the whine? I also think that becasue of the video someone put up here about the IAC whining when his hand attpeted to partially seal off that hole the black cap covers. Thi is so weird......... Karl __________________ Karl Burns 2000 Explorer Sport: KKM, BBK 66mm TB, Granatelli 70mm MAF, 3" Intake, 31" BFG AT/KOs 1998 Explorer Sport: Spindle Lift, SOA, Rancho 9000s, powered by Apten, PIAA 1500s and 520s Eclipse, McIntosh, Focal and JL sound system