DIY IACV clean picture write-up
#17
Lexus Test Driver
Years ago when I worked on carbureted cars (amateur status!), we would spray cleaner in there while someone revved the engine to keep it running and suck the stuff into the carb. This may be a silly question, but is this something you try to do while the car is running?
#18
Super Moderator
With the vehicle off. It would be extremely hard to do this and get the vehicle to run because of the vaccum with the airbox and it's connector the throttle body out. The engine immediately dies when you try to start it.
#20
Instructor
I just had my IACV cleaned by a mechanic - didn't have the time nor the skills to do this. My mechanic charged me $75 for the job. The car runs beautifully. you'll notice that this happened to me back in '06 as well (50K miles ago). The first time it happened, I pad a lot of money for this repair.... Now that I know what to do, thanks to you folks, I am not spending all that money.
#22
Lexus Champion
#23
Moderator
If the 3 screws have not been opened before, just dont go at them. Tap with a hammer + phillips head screwdriver to break the bond. Else you will strip the head .. and if you do, buy new ones (with a hex head).
Salim
Salim
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LPT (07-23-24)
#24
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: IL
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Thanks so much for this step-by-step, I did it last night by myself and almost gave up on those 2 copper screws. Patience is a virtue. Thankfully I had a Goose Island in the garage to calm me down, the mosquitoes were no help either. I finally got them off with the vice grips but not much room to work with! After I put everything back together I fired it right up and no problems, checked again this morning and once again no problems. A 5 dollar fix, you can't beat that! Once again thanks, you saved the day.
#25
Lexus Champion
screw removal
Having worked on cars all my life for a living (and many of those being Japanese), I had no problem with getting the 2 screws out, but I can imagine that those who haven't had experience with the SOFT asian screws would almost assuredly. My suggestion (not what I did), would be to invest in the smallest pair of GOOD (vice grip brand) needle nose vice grips. (cheap ones will only frustrate you as the twist out of shape) Get a good tight clamp on the screws and a quick snap and they should break right free. It's worth the price of the grips not to have the frustration of stripping that is SO common with the soft asian screws and bolts.
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LPT (07-23-24)
#27
Moderator
See my post #23 ... still on this page.
Salim
Salim
#29
I ran through this quick cleaning procedure the other night but it turns out I did it a little too quick.
A little warning to those to follow, be careful that you don't lose this little o-ring when you pull things apart. I found mine on the floor of the garage the day after. It took me about 30 secs of head scratching to figure out where it could have come from.
A little warning to those to follow, be careful that you don't lose this little o-ring when you pull things apart. I found mine on the floor of the garage the day after. It took me about 30 secs of head scratching to figure out where it could have come from.
#30
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: CA
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thank you all for this very helpful info.
i have to get some vice grips or this sucker isn't coming off. meanwhile, how does one get the wire off? i don't want to be too forceful with it, but i've tried pulling in every imaginable way. second, the hose to get the cleaner out, how does one disconnect that one? fairly new to all of this, just trying a diy for a change. thanks again.
i have to get some vice grips or this sucker isn't coming off. meanwhile, how does one get the wire off? i don't want to be too forceful with it, but i've tried pulling in every imaginable way. second, the hose to get the cleaner out, how does one disconnect that one? fairly new to all of this, just trying a diy for a change. thanks again.