Idle Control Valve

[E30Mark]

take the ICV off and give it a good clean with brake cleaner, squirt loads through it and make sure the flappy bit moves freely. don't use WD40...

[haffeel]

Hi hubble,

After you have tried, post your results here. Would like to know. I think I got the same problem sort of.

TNX
cheers

[bmwe30mtech]

:yeahthat: I have this problem too on my 318i. Let us know, , i was told to unplug the afm, but then it just stooled.!?

[Giggz]

blimey...same problem here to with my 325i!

Was going to replace old one.New one going for Ԛ£72 from Euro Car Parts! Couldnt believe it. Going to cancel that i try the brake cleaner first. Fingers crossed

[bmwe30mtech]

so we just spray the idle control valve then? take it off the car then spray it? Sorry if im sounding silly, i just dont want to mess it up!

Paul

[lemans]

if things dont improve much after cleaning, it is well worth checking the throttle position sensor as this has a big effect on idle quality {also cold starting} to check TPS, you should have continuity between pins 2 and 18 from throttle shut position until approx 0.2 to 0.6 mm open, measured at the throttle stop



Lemans

[E327UKL]

yep pull it off and spray the whole can in the inlet/outlet and get it really clean inside a cotton bud might help! let it dry (about 5 mins) before putting back on and tryin that

[bmwe30mtech]

just been out to my car, taken off the cover where the idle control valve is. But what does it look like, there are a few bits under there! Is it black with wires into it and a rubber to, or black, with a screwable top?

Thanks, i need to know this, then will let you know if this sorts it out!

Paul

[jonbuoy]

O you are a bunch of novice's are'nt you

The ICV is not black

Should'nt have a screw on it

Don't just use brake cleaner

You need to use Carb cleaner as Brake cleaner does'nt lubericate after cleaning.
On the 318i the ICV is at the back next to the bulk head hiding behind the Inlet Manifold, plug clips off, undo pipes and twist down as is plugged into Manifold.

Hold one finger over the end and spray into other end and fill it up. Give it a good shake and let it drain.
Do this a few times till you fill comfortable its done and give it a couple of minutes to dry and wack it back on.
Don't expect great results straight away as the ECU would have tried to adjust to compensate for the problem.

Hope you all get on well and good luck

P.s When you pull the plug off the AFM and it stools..........................it's supposed to happen

[bmwe30mtech]

Hi Jon, thats very helpful. Yer i am a novice its my first car!! Another stuid question im afraid, is the back of the engine bay the bit under the windscreen, and is the ICV under the black strip of plastic running under the bit below the windscreen, cos thats where it was labelsed on a pic somewhere else on the zone, but i dont sse what your describing there!

Thanks,!

[jonbuoy]

You won't see it mate, as i said its a little bit hidden
Its not in the plastic but its next to that, when look at your engine look at the Inlet Manifold to the right where the plastic part is. Then look underneath and you will see a small cylinder shaped object with a plug going into it and a rubber pipe. The ICV is also strapped in and fitted to the underneath of the Manifold. Hope that helps

P.s Make sure you are standing on the passenger side

[bmwe30mtech]

I realy am a novice. Its because i dont understands lots of the technical words! I have taken a pic of my engine bay so it would be great if somebody can point out the ICV on it. Thanks!

http://img377.imageshack.us/my.php?imag ... 6287nj.jpg

Paul

[TheDutch]

Enjoy :

http://img392.imageshack.us/my.php?image=icv6nu.jpg

[bmwe30mtech]

I see it now, now it makes sense! Thanks 'TheDutch', im off out again now to do it.