ICV Hassle

[paultv]

Hey ya'll

Its been a while...long period of happy motoring, but now I've got a strange one.

The ICV - original BMW one, died, caused cut outs and then a failure to start, I reckon it was pulling the ECU down and caused some kinda short. Disconnecting it allowed me to get home.

I bought a 50 quid non BMW pattern item and although it runs ok the idle is 1k rpm so she gets hot when idling for longer periods.

There's no air leaks so its an ICV issue, the ecu is 380 and I'm wondering if the death of the original has torched the control electronics.

Maybe the cheap replacement is crap and I need to buy an OEM ICV but its a load of cash to end up in the same position.

All wiring and volts appear fine but the new ICV seems to get real hot, hotter than it should.

Bit of a pisser as the mot is coming up and I'm concerned about the gas tests as the idle is a bit mad.

Any thoughts at all?

Paul

[paultv]

So the Lowe ICV I fitted ( it was 60 quid or so and pretends to be German but is of course a Chinese product.

On close inspection I can see that the vane casting is damaged or ill formed, the edge is rough and incomplete which lets in air even when closed.

A cheaper un marked item arrived today and although the casting and finish all looks good I got the same ish result.

I gave this latest iteration a good clean with carb cleaner and then WD40, this loosened it ip so that the motors can drive it shut fully.

I now have 760 rpm or about that, if I load the engine revs hold as the ICV does its job.

Moral of this story? New is definitely not better although I would hope that the BMW oem item at 300 quid would be of a higher quality but probably not. I hope this may help someone who fits a new ICV and gets wiered tickover, check the casting and clean and lube well.

See ya

Paul

[martauto]

Glad you sorted it out mate

Mart.

You OK Paul ?

Mart.

[tha881]

I have two of those Lowe icv laying around gathering dust. Purchased one and the idle was racing up and down between 1k to 1.5k rpm, so I messaged them and they shipped me another, exactly the same issue. Cleaned the oem one again and its still going strong.

[paultv]

I'm fine Mart, not so many long distance trips these days, but Leicestershire Devon and Cornwall in September, oh and Dover for the MOT on arrival !!

Just checked the last cambelt mileage, time for another in about 10k, I'm gonna wear the old gal out at this rate!

I think those Löwe ICVs are actually not compatible with the E30, The faulty one here does not have balanced resistance on the two motor windings, nearly 3 ohms around 10% difference, this would result in a bias either more open or shut.

Whatever it is the ECU doesn't like it at all and can't get to the desired rpm which could explain the very hot ICV body, its always "working"

Whatever, they are crap so should be avoided.

Maybe worth a warning sticky Mart?

Nothing like a Sticky Mart

Paul

[martauto]

Why not Paul

Mart.

[Moz]

I also have issus with the Lowe one! Fitted it and worked fine for a week then started to stall when slowing down. As it gets hotter it stalls whenever it should idle, to the point you turn it over and it will stall if not revved. Ordered an OEM used one now, will see if that fixes it.

Thanks