Slowcrash_101

Like the title states, is there a way to keep the idle control valve from getting dirty and sticking? The iacv is a valve which bypasses the throttle body. This thing is sucking in PCV gases to keep the engine running, it acts as defacto EGR air dilution. Would the occasional seafoam or something or other work to clean out the deposits the PCV will inevitably send in the iacv motor?

Please tell me why I'm dumb and off base.

Billman250

Nothing you run through the engine will reach the bearings of the IAC shaft. The grease in the bearings gets clumpy over time.

Splitting the IAC halves, freeing up the shaft, and oiling the bearings will get you another 100k.

zeroptzero

any cleaning is done with the valve off the manifold, it helps to clean it once and a while

Monopoly

mines 21 years old w/32k miles has not stuck yet or even been removed.

Slowcrash_101

With time the grease gets clumpy why? Dirt of course, and it somehow makes its way there. I am not suggesting that you can fix a sticky valve by running stuff through the engine, what I'm wondering is if you can prevent it. Because obviously something is making its way to the motor to make the valve sticky. It's impossible for crankcase vapors to not make it to the IACV. When you have the throttle open the intake PCV hose is sucking in crankcase vapors, when you take your foot off the throttle, and the throttle closes, the IACV will suck in any oil vapors sucked in by the intake PCV hose. These then make their way to the IACV, again it's not really an issue if you change your oil frequently or coolant on time because then you're not running dirty fluids through there. It'll take 100k+ miles for it to even become an issue, I get that. I just want to know if you can stretch it to infinity and beyond.

Billman250

The grease in the bearings is getting old, and solidifing. During use, the shaft only moves about 75-90 degrees. It does not make full rotations. This allows the grease to clump, like snow under a tire. As time goes on, blank clean spotsemerge on the bearings, allowing moisture contact and rust sets in as well.

It has nothing to do with anything else.

A drop of oil thins the grease.

When you first remove the IAC, you will find that the Shaft does not spin freely. After oiling, whip-spin the shaft high speed with your fingers, until is spins free like a roller skate wheel.

Slowcrash_101

It does, I cleaned mine and it works like a charm, but thank you for answering my question regarding preventative maintenance.