# IAC Cleaning **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [August 17, 2013, 6:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/iac-cleaning/80950 "2013-08-17T06:29:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Harland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85f322/32.png) [@Harland](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Harland)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 6:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/iac-cleaning/80950/1 "2013-08-17T06:29:24Z")
Well started to get rough idle and some acceleration issues in Escort, changed PCV (figured worth a shot) and it helped a little but it’s gotten worse again so aiming at IAC. So I’ve read mixed reviews on how to clean these, some say to use electric cleaner and others WD, any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 6:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/iac-cleaning/80950/2 "2013-08-17T06:34:20Z")
@Harland I would suggest cleaning it with throttle body cleaner. That seems more appropriate, to me at least. ---
**Author:** ![Harland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85f322/32.png) [@Harland](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Harland)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 6:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/iac-cleaning/80950/3 "2013-08-17T06:37:22Z")
I see, what about mass airflow spray? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 6:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/iac-cleaning/80950/4 "2013-08-17T06:40:23Z")
Here’s what you do. With engine idling at operating temperature, take the handle of a screwdriver and rap on the IAC valve. If the engine idle speed changes replace the IAC valve. Tester ---
**Author:** ![Harland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85f322/32.png) [@Harland](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Harland)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 6:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/iac-cleaning/80950/5 "2013-08-17T06:42:19Z")
@Tester if you mean RPMS I can’t tell…no RPM gauge and I don’t have techometer ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 6:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/iac-cleaning/80950/6 "2013-08-17T06:44:46Z")
Just tap on the IAC valve. You’ll hear the RPM’s change. Tester ---
**Author:** ![Harland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85f322/32.png) [@Harland](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Harland)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2013, 3:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/iac-cleaning/80950/7 "2013-08-18T03:41:38Z")
Well tried it and no change. Maybe mass airflow sensor? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2013, 5:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/iac-cleaning/80950/8 "2013-08-18T05:35:29Z")
What year is this Escort? Tester ---
**Author:** ![Harland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85f322/32.png) [@Harland](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Harland)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 9:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/iac-cleaning/80950/9 "2013-08-19T09:40:43Z")
98’ SE edition. ---
**Author:** ![knfenimore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9fc348/32.png) [@knfenimore](https://community.cartalk.com/u/knfenimore)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 8:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/iac-cleaning/80950/10 "2013-08-19T20:59:08Z")
Cleaning the MAF would be a good start. Have the plugs & plug wires been replaced? ---
**Author:** ![Harland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85f322/32.png) [@Harland](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Harland)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 5:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/iac-cleaning/80950/11 "2013-08-20T05:22:47Z")
Went to take a look at MAF, looks like this maybe a weekend project with its location. If my plugs you mean spark plugs and wires I was told they were replaced before I purchased the vehicle, they look to be fairly new. I pulled a spark plug out and it had normal wearing. Took it out on highway, ran OK today once she got going, will be looking into MAF more though. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 5:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/iac-cleaning/80950/12 "2013-08-20T05:47:00Z")
@Harland What is your idle, after the car is warmed up? What is the idle supposed to be . . . according to the underhood sticker? Another thing to consider . . . IACs can’t always be cleaned successfully. Sometimes they just need to be replaced Have you cleaned the throttle body yet? ---
**Author:** ![Harland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85f322/32.png) [@Harland](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Harland)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 3:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/iac-cleaning/80950/13 "2013-08-20T15:39:53Z")
@db4690 as in RPM? I can not tell because there is no gauge for it. Not going to aim at IAC until I clean MAF due to the fact I’d have to order in a gasket and the cost. Have not tried done anything yet, by looks of it will have to wait until day off.