RX - 1st Gen (1999-2003) Discussion topics related to the 1999 -2003 RX300 models

DIY IACV clean picture write-up

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Old 05-31-13, 09:49 PM
  #106  
LA4Mead
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Default Clear explaination of the inner workings of the IACV

Originally Posted by Baetke
The little metal cylinder that rotates the IACV is a permanent magnet. The black housing, with the wires on it, that installs over the IACV magnet is an electromagnet. If the computer applied no voltage to it it would go all the way in one direction. If it applied voltage all the time it would go all the way in the other direction. The computer controls the position of the valve by switching the voltage on and off. The duty cycle (ratio of on to off time) then determines the position of the valve. Therefore, to answer your question, it does not matter what position it is in when you assemble it. The computer will adjust it automatically.
Baetke, this is a really helpful explaination... and explains why the car idles equally well regardless of which direction I turn the valve before reassembly. I'm guessing if I wondered, there might be other owners who did too. Thanks!

All is smooth with the RX300... I wish I could say the same for the Ford Ranger.
Old 06-08-13, 01:11 PM
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Joey97
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Thanks again for this great write-up

I had to do this procedure again to my sons 1997 ES300 because of cold start problems which fixed it instantly. This was the 3rd time in 14 months that I had to this. What is causing this to happen so frequent ?
Old 06-08-13, 10:19 PM
  #108  
salimshah
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Originally Posted by Joey97
Thanks again for this great write-up

I had to do this procedure again to my sons 1997 ES300 because of cold start problems which fixed it instantly. This was the 3rd time in 14 months that I had to this. What is causing this to happen so frequent ?
What gas grade and brand is he using? Try purchasing a brand that has cleaner added to the fuel.

Salim
Old 06-09-13, 10:22 AM
  #109  
Joey97
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Originally Posted by salimshah
What gas grade and brand is he using? Try purchasing a brand that has cleaner added to the fuel.

Salim
87 from Chevron. When I remove the air cleaner hose the throttle body looks clean. Could the iacv be getting gunked up via the Air Assist Hose ?
Old 06-09-13, 12:19 PM
  #110  
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yes. Next thing to look for is the quality and grade of oil and frequency ot replacement.

What about air filter .. do you use OEM dry or have an aftermarket oil?

Salim
Old 06-09-13, 12:40 PM
  #111  
Joey97
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Originally Posted by salimshah
yes. Next thing to look for is the quality and grade of oil and frequency ot replacement.

What about air filter .. do you use OEM dry or have an aftermarket oil?

Salim
He gets oil changes at a Toyota dealer every 3k. Air filter is oem dry type.
Where does the Air Assist Hose go to from the throttle body ?
Old 06-09-13, 05:11 PM
  #112  
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You get the air-intake, coolant to heat (in and out plumbing), pcv sends unburnt fumes, and the vacuum line goes out. There maybe a path to the charcoal filter. This is all from the top of my head. Oh the vac line goes too many places [power steering, heat control and power_brake_booster].


Salim
Old 06-09-13, 05:27 PM
  #113  
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Hmmm I also changed the pcv valve and grommet when i cleaned the iacv, maybe that will help
Old 06-19-13, 07:24 PM
  #114  
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thank you and i appreciate the time you took. but for a beginner, how do you access the IACV after filter removal? It does not look easy. You go from picture 3 to picture 4 with no steps laying what you needed to do to remove the with the hoses. I'm going to take pictures as I figure it out.
Old 06-20-13, 06:32 AM
  #115  
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Originally Posted by taydar
Thanks for the great DIY.
... snip ..
When I put the doohickey back on, I hand tightened the brass screws back on. I hope it doesn't fall off.
... snip .. !
Never put back a stripped nut/bolt/screw, unless it is an emergency situation. It will haunt you the next time.

Some folks have replaced the screws with hex-head screws.

Salim
Old 06-22-13, 06:37 PM
  #116  
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hey guys this thread has helped me clean, & then change, the IACV, but rough idle remains, so i'm wondering if O2 sensor (throwing code) is to blame per my new thread - can a few of you jump over to https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...ml#post8003382 & let me know what you think if you get a chance? any visits or feedback is much appreciated
Old 06-28-13, 03:04 PM
  #117  
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Originally Posted by Baetke
The little metal cylinder that rotates the IACV is a permanent magnet. The black housing, with the wires on it, that installs over the IACV magnet is an electromagnet. If the computer applied no voltage to it it would go all the way in one direction. If it applied voltage all the time it would go all the way in the other direction. The computer controls the position of the valve by switching the voltage on and off. The duty cycle (ratio of on to off time) then determines the position of the valve. Therefore, to answer your question, it does not matter what position it is in when you assemble it. The computer will adjust it automatically.
This is correct answer ONLY IF THE MAGNET DOES NOT MOVE RELATIVE TO THE VALVE! I know this because it has happened to me. I cleaned my IACV last year using these instructions but the magnet is secured to the shaft with epoxy and a screw. The epoxy came loose on mine and the magnet can rotate relative to the valve (although not easily). If I turn it one direction the car will idle around 3000 rpm. Turned the other way the car will not idle at all and die. Somewhere in the middle is the "happy" place. I found it disassembling, turning the magnet slightly, reassembling, and starting. I think I did this at least 10 times. My car has been running fine for the last 18 months like this, although I need to do it one more time because it idles about 50 to 100 rpms slower than the recommended 750rpm.

I cleaned the IACV in response to trouble codes and rough idle. It did not fix the problem and the codes progressed to show multiple misfiring cylinders, bad O2 sensors, MAF sensor. All the common ones they talk about here. Know what it was? THE OIL CONTROL VALVES (OCVs)! It is the one part on this engine that does not have a feedback loop to the computer so no error codes are associated with it yet when they mess up it triggers all sorts of other codes.

If you are having trouble with your engine and have tried all the "normal" fixes talked about here, change the OCVs and the associated filters! It's the best $200 you can spend. There are posts on the board about how to do this....

FYI, I am a long time reader on this forum and it has helped me solve a bunch of issues with my car so I feel like I should contribute. I will be posting more in the coming days. I have done a few electrical mods to my car (my specialty) and will detail those later (balanced audio aux/ipod input, sat radio installed in overhead sunglass holder and molded in with fiberglass, bluetooth connection for phone thru siad balanced audio input, replaced faulty trailer isolation box in trunk, etc.).
Old 04-10-14, 08:07 PM
  #118  
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Smile Thank you for this post!

Great job on the post. It was very helpful and successful!
Old 04-27-14, 06:33 PM
  #119  
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Hi I could not remove screw for idle control valve, almost damage bronze screw. please help
Old 04-27-14, 08:32 PM
  #120  
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Originally Posted by cotis
This is correct answer ONLY IF THE MAGNET DOES NOT MOVE RELATIVE TO THE VALVE! I know this because it has happened to me. I cleaned my IACV last year using these instructions but the magnet is secured to the shaft with epoxy and a screw. The epoxy came loose on mine and the magnet can rotate relative to the valve (although not easily). If I turn it one direction the car will idle around 3000 rpm. Turned the other way the car will not idle at all and die. Somewhere in the middle is the "happy" place. I found it disassembling, turning the magnet slightly, reassembling, and starting. I think I did this at least 10 times. My car has been running fine for the last 18 months like this, although I need to do it one more time because it idles about 50 to 100 rpms slower than the recommended 750rpm.

I cleaned the IACV in response to trouble codes and rough idle. It did not fix the problem and the codes progressed to show multiple misfiring cylinders, bad O2 sensors, MAF sensor. All the common ones they talk about here. Know what it was? THE OIL CONTROL VALVES (OCVs)! It is the one part on this engine that does not have a feedback loop to the computer so no error codes are associated with it yet when they mess up it triggers all sorts of other codes.

If you are having trouble with your engine and have tried all the "normal" fixes talked about here, change the OCVs and the associated filters! It's the best $200 you can spend. There are posts on the board about how to do this....

FYI, I am a long time reader on this forum and it has helped me solve a bunch of issues with my car so I feel like I should contribute. I will be posting more in the coming days. I have done a few electrical mods to my car (my specialty) and will detail those later (balanced audio aux/ipod input, sat radio installed in overhead sunglass holder and molded in with fiberglass, bluetooth connection for phone thru siad balanced audio input, replaced faulty trailer isolation box in trunk, etc.).
Did you forgot to post your mods DIY for others?


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