Date:         Tue, 15 Jan 2008 17:12:13 -0500
Reply-To:     Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: cleaning/testing idle control valve
In-Reply-To:  <BAY134-W45448148340752F2A86F6ADB470@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Ed,

Here is what Unca Joel had to say about cleaning that stabilizer - I haven't
tried it yet but I trust his advice:


> *there's another culprit that can cause the same symptoms!
> the idle stabilizer VALVE. it's that round brass-colored cylinder
> thingie in the top kinda-middle of the engine. it has two black hoses
> going into it and one electrical connection (looks like a fuel
> injector connection). what it does is allow extra air for cold
> running. and it then closes a little valve/door inside when the engine
> warms up. sounds like yours might be stuck closed ... that can happen
> over the years due to the grime/crud built up from the fumes that come
> from the engine crankcase (that's where the extra air comes from).*
>
> *and since it's cheaper to clean this guy first, try it. ;) get a can
> of generic carb cleaner, and remove the valve from the engine (cleaner
> to do it that way), and spray LIBERAL amounts of carb cleaner into the
> openings where the hoses were connected. shake out the excess, let it
> dry a while, then do it again. then again. then again. :) usually four
> or five times is enough to free up the little valve/door thingie.*
>
> *besides, it probably needed cleaning anyway. and it (valve) is VERY
> expensive to replace (like $200)!!! :(
> *
>

--
Thanks,

Jeff
'90 Carat (Grover)
'86 (We call this one Parts)
'85 GL (Preparing to move to a new Home)
'78 Bus (Melissa) Patty's Bus