Cleaning the IAC (Idle Air Control) Valve--how to? Options

[mnwolftrack]

My '94 GT was having trouble holding idle this morning right after a cold startup. It would die unless I held the gas and kept the RPMs around 2000. If I let off the gas, the RPM's would drop to around 200 and then it would sputter out and die. After about a minute, the problem went away.

According to some research on this board, it's the idle air control valve. I read some references to people stating they were going to clean it or did clean it, but I didn't see any information on how to actually clean it.

P.S. I just put new plugs in, and a cap and rotor. The problem above only happened this morning and about a week after I gave it the tune up. I have only owned this car a month, but I have noticed the idle seems to drift a little--sometimes it's idling around 500 and shakes the car a little when fully warmed up, and sometimes it idles just fine around 800 when fully warmed up.

Before I actually replace the IAC, I want to try cleaning it but want to see what others have done. Once I clean it, then I will re-check the timing.

[presure2]

without pics, here is a quick run down:

remove intake pipe from throttle body,

remove throttle cable

note locations and remove egr hoses from t/b,

remove 4 bolts holding on t/b,

remove 2 coolant lines and air bypass hose going to t/b (these lines by the way attach to the AIC), and remove t/b

remove 4 screws for the AIC (an impact screwdriver works great for loosening the screws without stripping them, and can be bought at autozone for ~10$)

using carb cleaner, and an old toothbrush or somthing, clean out all the crud ect from the valve inside the AIC, and be sure it opens and closes freely.

installation is reverse of removal.

[mnwolftrack]

Perfect--thanks!

[HaysoosKreesto]

Is there a less intrusive way to do this? I literally just got finished taking off my air piping to get to the throttle body and I don't want to do that anytime soon.

[Box]

If you use a stubby or angled screwdriver you can remove it without pulling the throttle body, at least with the 7A anyway. I'd use the angled though as it provides leverage and will keep from stripping the brass heads.

[VavAlephVav]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsP2-HKz7vE

this is a Camry 5sfe, pretty much the same thing. He shows both taking it apart and Not taking it apart.

[HaysoosKreesto]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsP2-HKz7vE

this is a Camry 5sfe, pretty much the same thing. He shows both taking it apart and Not taking it apart.

I did this cleaning with carb cleaner, however, Box had said in the other thread that there may be a gasket needed to be replaced in the IACV. Is it the gasket that is below the throttle body the one that would need replacing? Also I replaced all the hosing today since I went to autozone anyways, and there was one hose that was cracked, which then shattered when I pulled it out.

Just trying to get a handle on what else could be the cause of my car's problem of starting.

[Box]

It's the gasket between the IACV and the throttle body, some people say it looks like a frog face.

[VavAlephVav]

technically you should replace most any gasket anytime you remove something. if that throttle body still has the nice metal gasket and not a paper one you can probably get away with reusing it.
The frog-face gasket is a rubber o-ring like gasket, you can get it even at the dealer for 5 bucks. The hard part is those brass Philips screws holding it in. If you're not real careful you'll end up drilling a couple of them out and replacing them.
I hate it when they use Philips for something like that instead of a hex key or just a damn hex bolt.

[HaysoosKreesto]

Thank you guys for your time in helping me with my cause.

The level of pain in the ass it was to get to the iacv just today is somewhere between helping a friend move and dealing with a tax attorney. I'm just over messing with it anymore because my old girl runs beautifully, just one flaw that I've lived with for 3.5 years and will continue to live with because nah, I ain't doing that again.

Again, thank you for your time in helping me, it goes greatly appreciated.

[Box]

Know how you feel, I'm so OCD and such a perfectionist I have to stop myself at times from messing with something over the tiniest of niggles. Of course any car I've owned ends up much better because of it, but that's part of my dread in buying a car is knowing how I am and knowing I'll have to make everything perfect... Hopefully you're not as mental as I am...

[VavAlephVav]

my high idle problem turned out to be just missing the clips that mount the throttle cable in place. The motor that was in it when I got it was missing all three of the clips that hold the throttle cable. It was literally laying on the exhaust manifold.
once I got it clipped into place it doesn't idle funny anymore.