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Where is the idle control valve
Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 8:06 pm
by GabberBaby
Hi all,
Im trying to find the idle control valve on my e30 320i 1986
Ive seen what it looks like on newer models but just cant place it on my car.
Need to find it as my car idles at about 1500rpm.
Cheers
Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 8:13 pm
by GabberBaby
Here is a big pic of my engine bay if that helps.

Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 8:24 pm
by E30_320i
dont know where the idle control valve is buddy, but could i ask how come your engine bay is black?? i mean the engine and the pipes are black, is that an engine cover or something? cuz my 320i engine and pipes are grey.
Lee
Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 8:36 pm
by GabberBaby
They are just the standard pipes.
as for the rocker cover and the manafold.... I removed them and sprayed them with heat proof BBQ paint from B&Q (about Ԛ£4.99) and then used sandpaper on the writting to bring them back down to metal.
hope that helps
Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 8:45 pm
by E30_320i
wow, thats a smart move mate! comes up a treat! cheers for the info might consider doing that to mine would look alot better than the "dirt catching" grey.
Lee
Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 8:55 pm
by swindy
The vavle:

Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 8:58 pm
by GabberBaby
Mine has not got one then!
Is this normal??
Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 9:06 pm
by Borderbmw
I was just looking at the pic regarding ICV,ive got a 320i (1987),and i was going to ask the same question,but i think its been answered!,as mine idles around 15-1600rpm,sometimes a bit higher than that

Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 10:48 pm
by monkeynuts
Mine's about as old as e30's get and this is the version of the idle control valve in it (with other parts for reference).
Hope it helps...
Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 11:14 pm
by GabberBaby
Thanks for that Monkeynuts, You have got the exact same set up as me mate! Thanks for clearing that up as I was usure if that plastic valve was the idle control or not.
Do you know if you can adjust the old plastic idle control valves? Im sure I read somewhere that you can remove it from the car and adjust it with a small screw driver from the inside but not had a chancee to have a look. ?????
So far I have managed to reduce the revs to about 700rpm from about 1500rpm which is a big improvement.
All that was needed was too adjust this with an alankey anti clockwise.
