ICV cleaning instructions for E39

**Skipper5** · 08-11-2004, 02:49 PM

Okay, last weekend i cleaned my idle control valve because the car wouldn't start and hold an idle. a few others have had this problem so i decided to post some instructions to help you if you choose to do this. it can be done as regular maintenance too.

symptoms: car will start but not hold an idle and just drop in RPM until the engine dies. may also cause (auto) transmission to shift hard between gears. or the car is just idling or shifting poorly.

*note* i am not a certified mechanic. i'm not liable if you screw something up

tools:

10mm deep socket
2" extension
1/4" drive ratchet
size 5 allen wrench
flat head screw driver
carb cleaner
cleaning rag

heres what the TIS instructions tell you to do (mine are more complete):

procedure:
first thing to do is get the intake off. this will be a little different for everyone depending on if you have a stock airbox, store bought intake, or "frankenstein" CAI like i do. get the darn thing off. if you put it in you can get it out. make sure to disconnect the MAF sensor too. i disconnected mine at the rubber elbow and before my downpipe:

TIS procedure for taking out stock airbox:

disconnect the tube coming into the rubber elbow. pull on it. i found it easiest to reach under the intake tubing with my right hand. this tube goes to the ICV. remember that for later if you lose it:

next is to take off the throttle butterfly thing sitting in front of the throttle body. using the size 5 allen wrench loosen the two screws holding it on. the other screw is diagonal form the one shown. i disconnected the connector on top and set the part (still attached to the cable) to the side in the engine bay:

next we take off the throttle body. grab the ratchet, extension, and 10mm socket and crank off the 4 bolts holding it to the manifold. i suggest doing the back 2 first. theres room back there for the ratchet.

i like to leave the 4 bolts in their bracket and pull that out as one piece.

while you have the TB out you might as well clean that as well. grab the carb cleaner and rag. spray some cleaner on the rag and rub on the inside of the TB. clean every nook and cranny you can. heres a pic half way done. he black ring on the right side of the butterfly is what i cleaned off. big difference:

i layed the TB down right next to the other throttle butterfly elbow thing. heres what things look like in my engine bay now:

the ICV is the aluminum part in the middle of the above pic. you can see both hoses (their clamps) that go into the valve. *note* on the top of your unit you will not have a hose. you will have a gasket pluggin directly into the manifold that you just yank down on. you will be cleaning these inlets later. take not of the 3 bolts on the bracket holding the ICV in place. those are next. again using the 10mm take these 3 bolts loose:
[img]http://68.6.62.91:81/~photos/albums/album172/DSC04489.jpg[img]

this is where you get to do it yourself. disconnect the ICV from the manifold by pulling down. next you have to disconnect the connector on the back of the unit. its just like the other ones. with that done you should be able to pull the ICV out. disconnect the remaining hose (the one that went to the intake elbow) and prepare for cleaning.

take your carb cleaner and spray it directly into the the inlets of the ICV. if you're like me the carb cleaner will go in clear and come out black. this means we're actually cleaning! keep spraying the cleaner into both sides and swirling around until the fluid coming out is clear. (if you want you can do the chicken dance with it too. that way you can say you've done the chicken dance with an ICV! i may have pretended i as rambo and did a sweeping gun motion like in the movie. i had my shirt off too...it all makes sense, trust me.) i sprayed compressed air in to the inlets after i was done to make sure it was nice and dry in there.

now you're ready to reinstall. everything goes right back in except in reverse order. make sure all hose clamps are tight and connectors connected. start your car up and enjoy!

i hope this was helpful to you. if you have any questions post them in this thread because someone else might have the same question.

**Skipper5** · 08-11-2004, 02:58 PM

and heres a link to the V8 procedure:
http://members.cox.net/rsm540i/ICV_Removal.htm

the I6 guys should check out that link too. it has good pictures of the ICV closeup. i didn't have any because i actually did this procedure last weekend before i took these pics this morning.

**CrazedBMW** · 12-31-2004, 05:31 PM

really really nice write up! Goodwork !

**95bmwpwer** · 02-03-2005, 03:13 PM

is there any gaskets i must buy to do this?

David

**Skipper5** · 02-03-2005, 07:03 PM

Originally Posted by 95bmwpwer

is there any gaskets i must buy to do this?

David

no sir. simply take out, clean, and reinstall.

**HOOJ** · 08-25-2005, 11:29 AM

Pics are gone. Fix!

**supark** · 08-25-2005, 01:07 PM

nice - I was extremely relieved how easy it is to access and clean the ICV after doing a little contortion act getting the ICV out of my E36 325is

**MontanaRob** · 08-25-2005, 01:58 PM

How were you able to copy and paste out of the TIS program? Mine will not allow it.

**DJKraft** · 11-27-2006, 03:41 PM

Pix is gone..fix it plzzzzzz

**Skipper5** · 11-27-2006, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by DJKraft

Pix is gone..fix it plzzzzzz

the pix are lost for a while. they're no longer available on my old server and are currently on a hard drive in storage.

540 instructions are listed in thie link below...same as shown above.

http://members.cox.net/rsm540i/ICV_Removal.htm

**DJKraft** · 11-27-2006, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by Skipper5

the pix are lost for a while. they're no longer available on my old server and are currently on a hard drive in storage.

540 instructions are listed in thie link below...same as shown above.

http://members.cox.net/rsm540i/ICV_Removal.htm

I just cleaned ICV. wasn't dirty as i thought. just little of black grease on it..
unfortunately, I broke rubber pad from metal mount.

one of those two heads..if anyone know the part number. really appreciate.

Well.. I guess. it wasn't ICV problem i guess. still RPM unsteady(up and down). also, "check engine" still on. plz...help~~

**The Fifth Element** · 11-27-2006, 09:17 PM

Originally Posted by DJKraft

I just cleaned ICV. wasn't dirty as i thought. just little of black grease on it..
unfortunately, I broke rubber pad from metal mount.

one of those two heads..if anyone know the part number. really appreciate.

Well.. I guess. it wasn't ICV problem i guess. still RPM unsteady(up and down). also, "check engine" still on. plz...help~~

I had similar symptoms on my volkswagen, turned out to be the MAF. I've heard the bmw mafs are quiet sketchy as well. Also check the Cam Position Sensor and 02 sensors.

**DJKraft** · 11-28-2006, 10:38 AM

Good news..
after I cleaned ICV,(not 100% clean just wipe out with paper towle). "check engine" light is off. ^0^ after two starts. but still engine running little rough. Thanx Skipper~~~
but..Still need that part number. >.<.the rubber holding ICV. also what should I use for cleaning ICV any particular cleaning stuff from auto shop???

**DJKraft** · 12-01-2006, 11:19 AM

I just find out part I need it. <TABLE cellSpacing=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD id=r10>14</TD><TD id=r11>RUBBER MOUNTING</TD><TD class=p1 id=r10>D=46MM</TD><TD id=r11>1</TD><TD id=r10></TD><TD id=r11>09/1998</TD><TD id=r10 noWrap>13411736144</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Whoever willing to clean ICV. VERY CAREFUL with that rubber mounting. those two heads r very weak,and easy to break..
Now, what should I use for cleaning ICV..Just use any carb cleaner?? any other stuff I can use it ?? cuz, I dont wanna spray that damage ICV.