Date:         Tue, 15 Jan 2008 16:40:29 -0500
Reply-To:     Edward Duntz <eduntz@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Edward Duntz <eduntz@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      cleaning/testing idle control valve
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

If you were reading my recent posts, you know I've been having troubles with my idle and engine hesitation on cold starts. 
 
One thing that I hadn't done yet is to try to clean the idle contol valve. When I turn the ignition on, the valve hums slightly. How loud should it be? Does this mean that it is working? 
 
I don't really see how to clean it. Does it come apart? Does the plastic piece with the male electrical connector come off? On the right side as you look at it installed, there are two places where hoses attach. It looks like vanes inside. I can spray come carb cleaner in there, but I don't know if this is doing anything. Should I be able to clean this? 
 
Also, with the engine running, if I block off the tube that attaches to the bottom of the valve, the idle decreases/engine goes to stall. If I block off the tube that goes from the valve to the AFM, the idle increases. Is this the way it's supposed to work.
 
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Ed
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