I fixed the howling sound!!!

[KJB]

Lately my Explorer has started making a "howling" sound when it's stopped and idling. I got to checking around and found what I believe is called the "idle air control valve". It's a solenoid valve with a little black button looking thing that is mounted on the side of the intake manifold. Well that black button is actually a breather valve that has two 3/8" diameter felt filters in it. After 203,000 miles the filters were clogged solid so I removed them and the noise is gone.

 

[DocVijay]

Yep.

I replaced the IAC valve and it solved the problem. See the thread "Howling Explorer".

 

[FitzMatt]

Could you open that valve to give it more air

 

[DocVijay]

I'm sure you could try.

I don't think you could really open it up more to give it more air. You could probably clean it out with a good solvent, just make sure you don't destroy the little filter. For me it was easier to just get a new one. Less hassle.