GUIDE: Removing and cleaning the idle control valve (ICV)

manoman48 · Jun 21st, 2009, 15:54

This is a very simple job that can make your car idle smoother and sort out a few other problems such as occasional hunting and reduce the effect the a/c compressor engaging has on idle speed.

1) Remove the engine cover if your model has one. Mine is a T4 and requires a T30 bit to undo the bolts.

The ICV is at the bottom right of this photo.

2) The unit is bolted on with two further T30 bolts.

After removing those, you will need to disconnect the plug from the stepper motor. This is done by pushing down on the engaging collar as indicated below.

3) I put the motor and valve assembly in a vice to remove the motor. You could do a decent enough job without removing it, but it's only two screws and gives you another hole to squirt the cleaner into.

Bear in mind I only cleaned mine about 3000 miles ago so it wasn't very dirty as all, but I still got some muck out anyway. I used carburettor cleaner and some kitchen roll. Try and get as much of the cleaning fluid out as possible before putting it all back together. The plunger pushes down into the valve, so hold it in while you squirt cleaner and use the kitchen roll to get the dirt out.

Hope that helps

rod · Jun 21st, 2009, 16:46

Thanks for the very informative post, I'm sure it'll help loads of peeps.
This is a truly brilliant forum!!

cheesesliceking · Jun 21st, 2009, 17:04

bloody brilliant thank you! and thanks for the effort too, cheers!

louis71 · Jun 21st, 2009, 17:37

Mucho Gracias.....You Rock Dude!

modman · Jun 21st, 2009, 19:15

good guide im gonna do one for the front pads removal but how did you manageto draw a line on your pic im rubbish with pc.

manoman48 · Jun 21st, 2009, 20:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by modman

good guide im gonna do one for the front pads removal but how did you manageto draw a line on your pic im rubbish with pc.

Sounds good to me. The photos are hosted by Photobucket which has an edit function.

Baffler · Jun 21st, 2009, 21:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by manoman48

I used carburettor cleaner and some kitchen roll. Try and get as much of the cleaning fluid out as possible before putting it all back together. The plunger pushes down into the valve, so hold it in while you squirt cleaner and use the kitchen roll to get the dirt out.

I use good old J&J cotton ear buds to get in those hard to get places. Definitely don't use anything abrasive. The carb cleaner shoud also be sufficient to blast off the carbon. Be careful when spraying as you will discover it comes back at you!

Nice guide Manoman

stevo48 · Jun 21st, 2009, 21:26

One more job on the "to do" list, thanks, very informative.

bretturbo72 · Jun 21st, 2009, 23:00

fantastic guide

was gonna do mine next week and was wondering how to do it

Perfect timing ideal
Ta muchly !

keithyboy · Jun 21st, 2009, 23:27

Top work matey. Just a shame mine doesn't have an ISCV really.

It never ceases to amaze me how us amateurs can often write better guides than HBOL.

Jun 21st, 2009, 15:54	#1
manoman48 Master Member Last Online: Apr 28th, 2023 11:20 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sc.unthorpe	GUIDE: Removing and cleaning the idle control valve (ICV) This is a very simple job that can make your car idle smoother and sort out a few other problems such as occasional hunting and reduce the effect the a/c compressor engaging has on idle speed. 1) Remove the engine cover if your model has one. Mine is a T4 and requires a T30 bit to undo the bolts. The ICV is at the bottom right of this photo. 2) The unit is bolted on with two further T30 bolts. After removing those, you will need to disconnect the plug from the stepper motor. This is done by pushing down on the engaging collar as indicated below. 3) I put the motor and valve assembly in a vice to remove the motor. You could do a decent enough job without removing it, but it's only two screws and gives you another hole to squirt the cleaner into. Bear in mind I only cleaned mine about 3000 miles ago so it wasn't very dirty as all, but I still got some muck out anyway. I used carburettor cleaner and some kitchen roll. Try and get as much of the cleaning fluid out as possible before putting it all back together. The plunger pushes down into the valve, so hold it in while you squirt cleaner and use the kitchen roll to get the dirt out. Hope that helps

Jun 21st, 2009, 23:27	#10
keithyboy Master Member Last Online: Jul 19th, 2015 20:48 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bolton	Top work matey. Just a shame mine doesn't have an ISCV really. It never ceases to amaze me how us amateurs can often write better guides than HBOL. __________________ My blog ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ LOOK AT MY RUBBISH BLOG

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Jun 21st, 2009, 16:46	#2
rod Senior Member Last Online: Feb 5th, 2015 04:42 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Forres	Thanks for the very informative post, I'm sure it'll help loads of peeps. This is a truly brilliant forum!!

Jun 21st, 2009, 17:04	#3
cheesesliceking noobie Last Online: Nov 16th, 2011 14:30 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Nagoya	bloody brilliant thank you! and thanks for the effort too, cheers!

Jun 21st, 2009, 17:37	#4
louis71 Junior Member Last Online: Aug 19th, 2015 21:40 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Dewsbury	Mucho Gracias.....You Rock Dude!

Jun 21st, 2009, 19:15	#5
modman Senior Member Last Online: Mar 1st, 2010 07:19 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: derby	good guide im gonna do one for the front pads removal but how did you manageto draw a line on your pic im rubbish with pc.

Jun 21st, 2009, 21:26	#8
stevo48 Premier Member Last Online: Jul 9th, 2020 20:08 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Halifax West yorkshire	One more job on the "to do" list, thanks, very informative.

Jun 21st, 2009, 23:00	#9
bretturbo72 Junior Member Last Online: Oct 30th, 2009 19:49 Join Date: May 2009 Location: plymouth	fantastic guide was gonna do mine next week and was wondering how to do it Perfect timing ideal Ta muchly !

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