Cleaning And Reattaching The IACV (Idle Air Control Valve)

[SubaruImpreza_power]

thats where this damn thing is!

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[BenOBS]

Anybody can tell me where it is on a EJ22 N/A ??

[Kcwiro]

Excelent Write up

[WRX_REED]

I know this thread is a bit old but has anyone tried using RTV silicon in place of the rubber gasket in small amounts so no swished out silicon falls into the intake chamber?

[sixpack subaru]

Originally Posted by ugetworked311

Has anyone tried this one?

My GOD thank you someone FINALLY has found this!!
Down here it's called sa459, (S-ubaru A-ust 459), upper engine cleaner. Used on EVERY SINGLE SERVICE-every 12,500kms down here.
I've been using delco stuff that smells and looks and behaves the same, but apparently it's off the market here. I just bought a dozen cans at $5.50 each!! GREAT STUFF, can't talk it up enough...
and I'll tell you something else...
I used to use it about once a month on my ea82Turbo that had a carby C/Case and used to re-breathe ALOT of blowby, as with WRX's, the PCV is upstream of the turbo, and with all that carbon/build-up on the compressor wheel, it took a while to spool. I have found that by spraying this stuff into the inlet tract of the turbo at 'fast idle', you can effectively clean the compressor wheel and remove unwanted oil/carbon deposits on intercooler, BOV, throttle body, idle speed controller, and even the catalytic converter gets a clean. You can use it on everything from boost solenoids to oxy sensors, (next best thing to sonic bathing). It is also really good weed killer and will cause birth defects in your unborn children. We had british petroleum test some to make a 'smokeless' version so the dealer network wouldn't have to fit carbon filters on the exhaust extraction at everysingle workshop. Bp came back and told me that "...once they took the 'smoke', (read;carcinogens), out, it just didn't work anymore.."

I cannot talk this stuff up enough-had a go just the other night.
Chainsaw wouldn't start-suspected a 'feathered' s'plug, gave it a squirt of SA459, (upper cyl cleaner), two rips later she was running!! I just love it.
Sorry to rant----it just gets me excited

Cheers
Sixpack

[sixpack subaru]

Also-it's the leaking gasket that can make an eng rev to 4000rpm??:?:

[matt7102]

A leak in the intake tract can contribute to high idle and a lean mix.

Matt7102

[wrxdevil666]

great write up guys. I just came across this thread..........i have been having thins problem for the past couple months. Gonna work on it now and hope that this was indeed the problem.

[Judge]

The link to endwrench will not open. What is this uppen engine cleaner called here in the US?

[silver car]

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...2#post14563822

wonder if this is my problem.. My car hasnt been run since march of 06. Now just the other day when i started it up, it started doing this.

[avk]

Originally Posted by Judge

The link to endwrench will not open. What is this uppen engine cleaner called here in the US?

The link works and the cleaner specified in the article is "GM Top Engine Cleaner or equivalent", same as for older IACs that use solenoids.

[Judge]

Originally Posted by avk

The link works and the cleaner specified in the article is "GM Top Engine Cleaner or equivalent", same as for older IACs that use solenoids.

Must be something with the network here at work....because it will not open all the time at work but at home I got to read it.

I cleaned mine the other day. We use spray methanol here...so I used it nice and clean now. My gasket was in perfect shape so I put the new one away for later.

[mgrenoble]

where did you guys buy the replacement gasket? I've searched all over the internet but can't find it! I REALLY don't want to buy it from the dealer, they already screwed me out of $90 for the diagnostic check.

[poopooscrum]

pm subiegal at subarugenuineparts.com

they usually have good prices and fair shipping.

If you guys really need to replace the iac you can considering buying a used one, or a complete throttle body here on the forums instead of shelling out 300-400 bucks for a new iac.

[zoomfactor]

I saw that there is concern about coolant leaking past the gasket, if not properly installed and seated. Is this still a problem if you have the throttle-body coolant bypass mod?

If so I may go for the full port/polish & coolant bypass.

FWIW - I noticed another poster had the same problem. I got the P0519 after the car sat for about a week and a half in this wicked heat. Started crazy idle this morning on the way to work. Not the way to get back to work after vacation

[Judge]

Originally Posted by zoomfactor

I saw that there is concern about coolant leaking past the gasket, if not properly installed and seated. Is this still a problem if you have the throttle-body coolant bypass mod?

If so I may go for the full port/polish & coolant bypass.

FWIW - I noticed another poster had the same problem. I got the P0519 after the car sat for about a week and a half in this wicked heat. Started crazy idle this morning on the way to work. Not the way to get back to work after vacation

If you have the bypass done I would doubt there is an issue...considering the coolant is not being fed into the throttle body housing

[DrD]

Originally Posted by mgrenoble

where did you guys buy the replacement gasket? I've searched all over the internet but can't find it! I REALLY don't want to buy it from the dealer, they already screwed me out of $90 for the diagnostic check.

The part number is in the first post (22659AA120) - any online parts place (www.subarugenuineparts.com, www.subaruparts.com, etc.) can get it for you - it's a $6 part, though, so the dealer really can't mess with you too much on price...

[HolyGhost22]

if you clean with gas, how do you remove the gas when your done? Will mass air flow sensor cleaner work?

[cdvma]

Originally Posted by HolyGhost22

if you clean with gas, how do you remove the gas when your done? Will mass air flow sensor cleaner work?

Remove the IAC from the "dip" and just dab it with a towel. The gas will evaporate off in any decent heat. Put it in direct sunlight for faster results.

[HolyGhost22]

thanks alot...

[Vicious LSD]

Coming to stop lights my car does this sometimes. I have a 05 with about 23k on it and the idle sometimes drops to 0 and stalls out. Other times it gets close to 0 and bounces up. Any ideas?

[digitalmethods]

I cleaned mine by taking off the unit and flipping it upside down and soaking it in gas. It cleaned up very well and I reinstalled it with a new gasket and reset the ECU. I primed the pump 3 times and started it. The car started and right off of the bat I noticed that the CEL came back on immediately. Could I possibly need a new IACV? I noticed that when the engine is shut off it sounds like the engine takes a second to turn off after. Maybe this is from the 1500 idle or maybe it's a problem. I threw the same CEL originally as everyone else. Any thought? I just did this about 5 minutes ago and I'm stumped.

[scooterforever]

Sometimes the IACVs just die.

[digitalmethods]

I tried unplugging the IACV when the car was running and it made little to no difference in the idle condtion. Could that be my answer? I have a very choppy idel noise so I'm freaked that the car isn't running on all cylinders. If that was the case would I be throwing a blinking CEL with a different code. Last I checked it was only the p0519 and the high idle code.

[DrBiggly]

I just did the cleaning and it made quite a bit of difference in both idle and throttle tip-in and lift-off throttle behavior. Would definitely recommend this.

Simply used lots of throttle body/carb/choke cleaner and lots of Q-tips.

-Biggly