I think I may have a sticky idle control valve ICV on my m20b25 lump since disconnecting it has minimal impact on the engine idle (my assumptions are open to criticism!)
I read that I shouldn't clean the ICV since it affects the friction and hence opening/closing performance.
Is this really the case? Anyone with similar experience?
Can I clean the idle control valve with brake/carb cleaner?
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Grrrmachine
- E30 Zone Wiki / Team Member

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What's the best method to test the ICV? Just unplug it?
I found the original link about not cleaning the ICV:Grrrmachine wrote:What's the best method to test the ICV? Just unplug it?
http://www.verrill.com/car/e30_idlefaq.shtml
It tells you how to check the ICV.
But this also tells you not to...? I'm going to clean it anyway, cos the friction from the valve can't be any less than when it was new if I clean it out!
- Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member

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Unplugging the ICV an a running E30 engine shouldn't make any immediate difference at all!
The idle speed will only change if there's a significant change in the load on the engine.
The ICV is part of a closed feedback loop,so if the engine is idling at a steady speed, there will be no signal to the ICV.
The idle speed will only change if there's a significant change in the load on the engine.
The ICV is part of a closed feedback loop,so if the engine is idling at a steady speed, there will be no signal to the ICV.


