I was just wondering what cleaner would be best to use on the IAC unit on my 2000 Expedition. I was informed that Carburetor/Brake clearner or Starter Cleaner. Which one would be best or is there a suitable cleaner that would not leave residue and throw me up codes? Appreciate it.

 

I used generic electric cleaner on my brother's exploder's IAC. It seemed to do the trick.

Whatever you use, make sure you let it thoroughly dry out before reinstalling it.

 

Thanks amm888, I will give it a try.

 

Wait, stop, be very careful with cleaners that are not intended for throttle bodies. The IAC and the TB have a coating on them that prevents buildup of deposits. If you use something like brake cleaner, for example, the acetone will strip the coating off. Your IAC will be clean but will quickly get dirty. I used Berryman B-12 on my first try about 10 years ago and this happened to me. After that, I had to clean it about once a year. Use "Throttle Body Cleaner" only is my recomendation.

 

I appreciate your information. I can pick up a can of Air Intake/Throttle Body cleaner for under 5 bucks. Thanks again.

 

I'd just bite the bullet and buy a new valve. Several years ago I cleaned mine and the thing worked fine for a month or so then started acting up again. After replacement, my truck hasn't missed a beat.

 

Maybe, but I have never replaced a valve and I have 4 Fords that have them, 3 with well over 100K on them. One has 242K. All have the original Ford IAC. I say clean it first, and if it still acts up, then replace it. Cleaning is cheap and easy.

 

I have to agree. While cleaning the valve may extend the life for a long time, most often it is only a temporary fix. For the $50 or so it's really not worth the hassle of maybe having to do the job over.
Not having the engine stall at a potentially dangerous moment due to the "cleaned" valve sticking is also worth the price of replacement to me.

 

I have listened to all in regards to the valve. I am one that likes to replace than trying to keep something going. I have not had an issue with it. I had a slight issue the other week when the Expy would not hold idle. It turned out to be a fuel filter and after replacing it, the truck has run great since then. But, while trying to diagnose the original problem, I removed the IAC and it has some residue but not much. I was just assuming that cleaning it would keep it going, but if cleaning the part can cause more problems than not cleaning it at all, I may just replace it when it throws up the codes. So, if it isn't broke, why fix it. Just looking at preventive maintenance. That was all. My Expy has 100K miles and I have only had to replace Ball joints, brakes, fuel filter. I have changed, flushed the fluids in the diff's and the tranny. Regular oil changes is all that I really have to do. The thing is great. My original 92 F-150 had 200K till it was time to say goodbye. Too much rust to overcome. Road salt is a killer. Anyway, thanks for all of your advice. I really appreciate it. By the way, has anyone installed a cold air induction system and will it really show me performance?? I have heard it would and would not depending on if you have a SuperChip installed. I don't, pretty much stock except for a Vortex exhaust. Let me know.

 

i don't think cleaning the valve would likely cause any additional problems, though you may just end up needing to replace it if the cleaning doesn't seem to hold up. i sold my brother's exploder soon after cleaning the iac so i can't attest to how long-term of a fix it was (it ran fine for 2 months). however i have read about others cleaning their valve and then having zero problems, so i'd start with that.

is "cold air induction" the same as cold air intake? i know with cold air intakes about half the comments i've read are from people who say they can feel a bit of a boost, while the other half say it does very little to nothing in terms of actual performance, but makes the truck sound faster.

plus, most CAI systems will take the air from the engine bay which should actually be hotter than where the OEM system pulls air from.

 

You know, I tend to agree with you on the air from the engine. The OEM filter system has a baffle that is directly connected to the side where the wheel well is, in my opinion that would be cooler air than in the engine compartment.

00 Expy 4x4

 

I heard they are cheap now and available at parts store. Cleaned mine (using brake cleaner and lubing it with WD-40) only because none was available at the time except for dealer and kind of pricy. I used a 5/16 rachet wrench that makes removal and install a breeze, so I don't mind checking on it once in a while to re-check. Last time I did was after two years since I cleaned it and there was no sign of carbon accumulation and the valve was not sticking. Maybe I got lucky or I did it right, but I don't mind checking on it again in two years. If you want 'replace it and forget it' result, a new one is the way to go.

 

Thanks for everyones advice. I cleaned it and it seems to running just fine. No sticking or any check engine codes so we will see.