Kanackered Idle Control Valve?

[rubachuk]

Haven't been happy with the idling of my C20XE lately. The revs have been dropping right down when I push the clutch in at a junction, and then reving back up to about 1300 and settling down to about 1000-ish rpm. Now the weather has got cold sometimes it will constantly fluctuate between 1000-1300 and not settle at all.

So today I cleaned to idle control valve. I used loads of carb cleaner, and some rag where I could reach. Seemed nice and easy moving when I'd finished.

Started it up and it idled at about 1800rpm constant, after a bit I blipped the throttle and the revs dropped so far it would've stalled had I not held it on the throttle. Then all of a sudden something seemed to click and the revs shot up and fluctuated between 3500-4000. I turned it off, started it again and it was back to 1800 and repeated the same process.

Took it out for a test drive and it was the same, sometimes at 1800, sometimes very low or stalling, and once or twice at 3500-4000 again. Although ocasionally it seemed spot on too.

So.... have I managed to break my ICV while cleaning it?

I put a little bit of lubricating oil in the ICV after I'd cleaned it, was this a bad idea?

Cheers

[GRUNT 16V]

i would check for an air leak and reoiling it should not effect it in any way as i used to do this

[RickW]

In my experiences they are very touchy! they go wrong you try to fix and its usually 50/50 if you fix it or break it more. For the price of them on ebay i would get another!

[L33 LEG]

I have a similar problem. my valver idles at over 1.5k but is constant, doesnt drop below 1k. i start it up and starts low and then after a few seconds just sticks on 1.5k all the time.

I changed the icv but is exactly the same. any ideas? i can't find any leaks or anything anywhere...

[Southie]

I've had a similar problem on my c16xe. It turned out to be the throttle cable sticking within the cable. Theres a clear plastic inner that kept getting pulled through when I put my foot down which then kept holding the revs at 1,500 and 3,000.
Until I get a new one I've been squirting WD40 down the cable which seems to have stopped it, for the time being.

[rubachuk]

Had a good look for leaks and a good spray round with carb cleaner. The ICV is the only thing I've touched today, although it wasn't perfect before it's far worse now, so I'd think I've broke it a bit more. I'll try to get hold of another one

[L33 LEG]

cheers southie, il have a good look around the cable later.

[Southie]

cheers southie, il have a good look around the cable later.
Worth a try for nothing. :thumb:

[Rickardo]

My xe corsa ran like a pile of crud, just like your's. I just bought a new ICV off ebay for £25. Put it on, not had any problems since.

Is your's running the Sfi box or a powercap?

I'd just check all the pipes are nipped up etc etc. :thumb:


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Idle-Air-Control-Valve-Alfa-Romeo-Saab-0280140516_W0QQitemZ180358772242QQcmdZViewItemQQpt ZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item29fe38 7612

I offered £25 and won it..

[rubachuk]

Running the ecotec-pipe thing

[Jon_nova1]

so what are xe's meant to run at? i thought they were meant to run at around 850RPM? but mine runs at 1000RPM:confused:

[phazer]

Given the change in weather it's likely to be the CTS.

Cleaning the idel valve is easy enough, they rarely break. Take off car and soak inside with carb cleaner. Leave for a few minutes empty and shake out. Then use silicon grease (spray) making sure you get plenty inside. Again leave a few minutes, shake out and re-fit.

[Nova_Tek]

You cleaned the ICV correctly mate, I too put clean engine oil in there to keep he mechanism lubed up and it has had no ill-effects. I once remember my dads 20SEH revving on it's own upto 3500 - 4000rpm a few times then settling to normal idle. IIRC it was his AFM that was misreading. I think we changed that over and it was fine after. Has not done it since and that was a good 4 - 6 years ago lol

[rubachuk]

I went to get a new CTS from Vauxhall last week. The guy asked me if it was from an air-conditioned car or not because there are two different parts depending, I didn't know so I left without one.

Whats the difference anyone? Should I just have bought the non a/c one cos I'm not running a/c in the Nova.

Engine from a 1992 Astra GSi apparently if that makes a difference.

[Benn]

so what are xe's meant to run at? i thought they were meant to run at around 850RPM? but mine runs at 1000RPM:confused:

900 to 1000 is perfect.

Dont for get when you clean the icv you wanna oil it a touch after so the inside mech can still move freely.

[Will F]

900 to 1000 is perfect.

Dont for get when you clean the icv you wanna oil it a touch after so the inside mech can still move freely.

Non DIS = 800 ish

DIS 1000 ish rpm

[Jon_nova1]

arr, thats ok then, i spend ages seeing if there was a way of adjusting it, but couldn't find any!

repped!

oops, sorry Benn, i must spread some Rep!

[Benn]

Non DIS = 800 ish

DIS 1000 ish rpm

Oh is it, thought it was 900, :thumb:


arr, thats ok then, i spend ages seeing if there was a way of adjusting it, but couldn't find any!

repped!

oops, sorry Benn, i must spread some Rep!

You can adjust the tb stop. But its fine as it is...lol I want my rep.

[Jon_nova1]

its like the worlds smallest tb stop, it sticks out about 2MM lol

fine, will go on a rep spree and give you some lol

oops, i've given too much rep out in the last 24 hours, just pm me tomorrow lol

[Southie]

Phazer why would the outside temp make a difference?

[Jon_nova1]

by the way, mines from an astra gsi, not sure if theres different models, but mine never had aircon, or any pulley etc for aircon

[Benn]

by the way, mines from an astra gsi, not sure if theres different models, but mine never had aircon, or any pulley etc for aircon

What's that got to do with the price of fish?

[Jon_nova1]

I went to get a new CTS from Vauxhall last week. The guy asked me if it was from an air-conditioned car or not because there are two different parts depending, I didn't know so I left without one.

Whats the difference anyone? Should I just have bought the non a/c one cos I'm not running a/c in the Nova.

Engine from a 1992 Astra GSi apparently if that makes a difference.

:p

[Southie]

Benn your fish have been scaled £3.25 please lol

[Benn]

:p

Oh, didn't see that. Guess its the extra load on the engine. A non a/c one will work tho. (Pete's cav is a/c and has the same one mine does..)

[craig green]

I wouldnt adjust the idle using the throttle stop, unless you can reset the TPS position. Lets face it, doing that is masking over the problem.