Fix your stumbling idle in your KA - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

borohingacoupe · 12-15-2005, 05:12 PM

So for the past few months my car would idle normally until it came up to operating temps, then it would stumble, idle rough, and die, if the car was in neutral or i had the clutch in. I searched on here and couldn't really find anything that helped me out. I called a local shop , McKinney Motorsports and they gave me the best advice. Now through pictures and text I hope this helps anyone else out there struggling with the idle on their KA.

First the main cause of the idle issue is a dirty IAC valve.

It's tucked under the intake manifold near the fire wall. Very hard to get at and expensive if you take it to a shop to get it fixed. But it doesn't need to be replaced, you can fix your nasty idle issues for less then $10! Here's how...

Get a bottle of Intake cleaner, not carb cleaner, intake cleaner.

See this hose:

The bigger one on the right goes from your intake to the IAC valve. If you pull it off while your car is running it will die after a second or two. When your car is off, pull the hose off but leave it still on the nipple enough to seal. Go start your car and then come and using one hand pull the hose off and with the other hand keep your idle up by opening the throttle. With your now free hand get the bottle of intake cleaner and spray some of it into the IAC tube. The car will stumble but make sure to keep it from dieing or you will have to put the tube back on and start the process all over again. Repeat this process several times, I used about half the can. Re-install the tube and take the car for a drive! I drove for about 20 minutes and everything was fine. I did this about a month ago and still have no idle problems.

Hope this helps, let me know if you need more instructions or pictures.

Matt

skiboard06 · 12-15-2005, 05:28 PM

wow thank you for that i have been having all sorts of issues with my idle like that, i will do this tonight. to clarify it is the larger hose on the right and you dont need to do anything with the smaller vaccum hose. So you take it off on the intake side and leave the hose still attached on the engine side while u spray down the hose? thanks

borohingacoupe · 12-15-2005, 05:42 PM

you got it right. good luck!

JigokuZ · 12-15-2005, 09:06 PM

I don't have a stumb idle problem.. but I do have a high idle problem... know any way to fix that...

nsn240 · 12-15-2005, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JigokuZ

I don't have a stumb idle problem.. but I do have a high idle problem... know any way to fix that...

tps

so... after this cleaner goes through the aicv... it goes into your engine. I cant imagine its that bad for it though.

thedecapitator · 12-28-2007, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsn240

tps

so... after this cleaner goes through the aicv... it goes into your engine. I cant imagine its that bad for it though.

what does tps mean?

whomiked · 12-29-2007, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedecapitator

what does tps mean?

Throttle Position Sensor

JigokuZ · 12-15-2005, 09:43 PM

thanks... if this trick doesn't work.. try replacing your ECT...

Zaffie · 08-13-2008, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JigokuZ

thanks... if this trick doesn't work.. try replacing your ECT...

hey man, i cleaned my idle valve well, it ran excellent for about a week then still stalls on me at times, i checked all my vaccum hoses, im going to replace the ECT like u said, but i dont really get how that sensor would play a roll in stalling, please explain. peace

Bigsyke · 08-13-2008, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zaffie

hey man, i cleaned my idle valve well, it ran excellent for about a week then still stalls on me at times, i checked all my vaccum hoses, im going to replace the ECT like u said, but i dont really get how that sensor would play a roll in stalling, please explain. peace

Defective ECT means pinging/f*ed up timing and horrible a/f ratios.

aznpoopy · 12-16-2005, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsn240

so... after this cleaner goes through the aicv... it goes into your engine. I cant imagine its that bad for it though.

throttle cleaner is pretty much *meant* to be used in this way. you spray it through the throttle body as the engine is running. so unless it's not meant for standard piston engines, its fine. usually there is a hefty warning saying it can't be used on rotaries only.

DRFT · 12-17-2005, 12:49 PM

does this method apply to sohc too?

borohingacoupe · 12-17-2005, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRFT

does this method apply to sohc too?

Sorry dude, I don't know. Never worked on a SOHC before. I just know it worked for me on my car.

aznpoopy · 12-17-2005, 04:59 PM

i don't see why it wouldn't, although i never worked on an SOHC either.

the general principle is the same... spray it into your intake manifold. it's not just to clean out the iacv, but the manifold in general.

skiboard06 · 12-17-2005, 09:30 PM

i did this today and it worked awesome helped my idle a ton thanks a bunch

outerheaven2k4 · 12-17-2005, 11:51 PM

I had the same problem on the KA24E, but i was silly and took off the whole thing without buying a gasket to replace it LOL. I found out however, this method would work and wished I did it.

On the SOHC-
Locate the idle adjust screw
Unscrew completely, be sure to apply some pressure on the screw while unscrewing, there's a spring, dont lose it.
Spray your favorite cleaner in there
Replace screw and adjust your idle back to normal

WOOT
^_^

zugoi · 02-07-2007, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outerheaven2k4

I had the same problem on the KA24E, but i was silly and took off the whole thing without buying a gasket to replace it LOL. I found out however, this method would work and wished I did it.

On the SOHC-
Locate the idle adjust screw
Unscrew completely, be sure to apply some pressure on the screw while unscrewing, there's a spring, dont lose it.
Spray your favorite cleaner in there
Replace screw and adjust your idle back to normal

WOOT
^_^

I remember reading in ALdata that you shouldnt mess with the idle screw until you unplug the Tps. If you do you can confuse the ecu which will throw your idle off. Something like that.

Dream240 · 02-07-2007, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zugoi

I remember reading in ALdata that you shouldnt mess with the idle screw until you unplug the Tps. If you do you can confuse the ecu which will throw your idle off. Something like that.

Correct-a-mundo...

But first be sure you have your timing set at 20 degrees BTDC (KADE), THEN proceed to set idle. If your timing is off, it will affect your idle.

Milky6 · 01-04-2006, 09:08 AM

sorry to bring a thread back.. but where is the idle adjust screw?

PF_Doom · 08-24-2006, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milky6

sorry to bring a thread back.. but where is the idle adjust screw?

+1
_____________________________________________

TipStylez · 08-24-2006, 06:10 AM

Thanks alot for posting this!...

aznpoopy · 08-24-2006, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pf doom

+1

get an fsm...

punxva · 08-24-2006, 11:21 AM

good thread, but it'll come back eventually, your best bet is to actually order the gasket from nissan, and take it off of your manifold, its not too hard just 4 bolts and a few plugs, then take some carb cleaner and spray it out throughly, and that'll fix it for longer, but remember that it'll come back after time, it's just like washing your car, it'll always get dirty again.

Bigballin · 10-10-2006, 10:36 PM

sorry to bring this up but a friend of mind gave me some completely fucked up info. instead of not using carb cleaner i did. and now the car wont start. anyway to flush this out.

**mrmephistopheles** · 10-10-2006, 11:42 PM

take your plugs out, clean them off and try again.

Bigballin · 10-11-2006, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrmephistopheles

take your plugs out, clean them off and try again.

so i tried this and still no luck. maybe yall can add this incase something similar happens to someone else.
so far this is what i have tried.
1.just try starting the car regularly
2.waiting a few hours to see if the carb cleaner dissolved (turned into days)
3.pulled the wires from the injectors, then tried starting the car
4.pulled the fuse for the fuel pump, took off gas cap and removed spark plugs, started the car, then put everything back. still no start. also tried to jump start my car thinking it could be the battery didnt work either.

i still think the battery may be drained, ill have to check that out tomorrow. other than that all i hear is the starter and my exhaust making little "puff" noises. i want to throw my POS off a mountain.

aznpoopy · 10-11-2006, 07:14 PM

carb cleaner shouldn't fuck your shit up.

what exactly did you do?

the only thing you have to worry about it keeping the car running while you do it, so it burns it off as you spray it.

Bigballin · 10-11-2006, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aznpoopy

carb cleaner shouldn't fuck your shit up.

what exactly did you do?

the only thing you have to worry about it keeping the car running while you do it, so it burns it off as you spray it.

thats where i fucked up on.

wasnt quick enough and the car quit before i could pull the throttle

***S14DB*** · 01-11-2007, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aznpoopy

carb cleaner shouldn't fuck your shit up.

what exactly did you do?

the only thing you have to worry about it keeping the car running while you do it, so it burns it off as you spray it.

Carb cleaner can eat the IACV from the inside out. Many are chlorinated and love rubber and plastic. Why you look for throttle body cleaner.

aznpoopy · 10-11-2006, 09:26 PM

damn that sucks.

i would pull off the whole intake manifold and clean it out real good. clean out the iacv as well. consider it a chance to really clean up your whole intake tract. taking it out isnt that bad if you have extension and swivel head sockets.

you could even take this chance to replace all the rubber hoses, knock sensor, or even delete emissions... (ka-t.org has a write up on that iirc)

the other option is to just let it air out and pray... XD

at any rate, good luck!

12-15-2005, 05:12 PM	#1
borohingacoupe Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 44 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Fix your stumbling idle in your KA So for the past few months my car would idle normally until it came up to operating temps, then it would stumble, idle rough, and die, if the car was in neutral or i had the clutch in. I searched on here and couldn't really find anything that helped me out. I called a local shop , McKinney Motorsports and they gave me the best advice. Now through pictures and text I hope this helps anyone else out there struggling with the idle on their KA. First the main cause of the idle issue is a dirty IAC valve. It's tucked under the intake manifold near the fire wall. Very hard to get at and expensive if you take it to a shop to get it fixed. But it doesn't need to be replaced, you can fix your nasty idle issues for less then $10! Here's how... Get a bottle of Intake cleaner, not carb cleaner, intake cleaner. See this hose: The bigger one on the right goes from your intake to the IAC valve. If you pull it off while your car is running it will die after a second or two. When your car is off, pull the hose off but leave it still on the nipple enough to seal. Go start your car and then come and using one hand pull the hose off and with the other hand keep your idle up by opening the throttle. With your now free hand get the bottle of intake cleaner and spray some of it into the IAC tube. The car will stumble but make sure to keep it from dieing or you will have to put the tube back on and start the process all over again. Repeat this process several times, I used about half the can. Re-install the tube and take the car for a drive! I drove for about 20 minutes and everything was fine. I did this about a month ago and still have no idle problems. Hope this helps, let me know if you need more instructions or pictures. Matt __________________ I am PornstarMatt Team Hinga California

12-15-2005, 05:42 PM	#3
borohingacoupe Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 44 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	you got it right. good luck! __________________ I am PornstarMatt Team Hinga California

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12-15-2005, 05:28 PM	#2
skiboard06 Leaky Injector Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 115 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	wow thank you for that i have been having all sorts of issues with my idle like that, i will do this tonight. to clarify it is the larger hose on the right and you dont need to do anything with the smaller vaccum hose. So you take it off on the intake side and leave the hose still attached on the engine side while u spray down the hose? thanks

12-15-2005, 09:06 PM	#4
JigokuZ Leaky Injector Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Columbus, Ga Posts: 64 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I don't have a stumb idle problem.. but I do have a high idle problem... know any way to fix that...

12-15-2005, 09:43 PM	#8
JigokuZ Leaky Injector Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Columbus, Ga Posts: 64 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	thanks... if this trick doesn't work.. try replacing your ECT...

12-17-2005, 12:49 PM	#12
DRFT Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Pow Pow Age: 37 Posts: 3,744 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	does this method apply to sohc too?

12-17-2005, 04:59 PM	#14
aznpoopy Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: New Jersey Age: 40 Posts: 5,013 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	i don't see why it wouldn't, although i never worked on an SOHC either. the general principle is the same... spray it into your intake manifold. it's not just to clean out the iacv, but the manifold in general.

12-17-2005, 09:30 PM	#15
skiboard06 Leaky Injector Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 115 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i did this today and it worked awesome helped my idle a ton thanks a bunch

12-17-2005, 11:51 PM	#16
outerheaven2k4 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Lexington Park MD Posts: 40 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I had the same problem on the KA24E, but i was silly and took off the whole thing without buying a gasket to replace it LOL. I found out however, this method would work and wished I did it. On the SOHC- Locate the idle adjust screw Unscrew completely, be sure to apply some pressure on the screw while unscrewing, there's a spring, dont lose it. Spray your favorite cleaner in there Replace screw and adjust your idle back to normal WOOT ^_^

01-04-2006, 09:08 AM	#19
Milky6 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sacramento/ Davis, California Posts: 14 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	sorry to bring a thread back.. but where is the idle adjust screw?

08-24-2006, 06:10 AM	#21
TipStylez Zilvia Addict Join Date: May 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 918 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thanks alot for posting this!...

10-10-2006, 10:36 PM	#24
Bigballin Zilvia Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Purple Oillll,TX Posts: 222 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	sorry to bring this up but a friend of mind gave me some completely fucked up info. instead of not using carb cleaner i did. and now the car wont start. anyway to flush this out.

10-11-2006, 07:14 PM	#27
aznpoopy Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: New Jersey Age: 40 Posts: 5,013 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	carb cleaner shouldn't fuck your shit up. what exactly did you do? the only thing you have to worry about it keeping the car running while you do it, so it burns it off as you spray it.

10-11-2006, 09:26 PM	#30
aznpoopy Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: New Jersey Age: 40 Posts: 5,013 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	damn that sucks. i would pull off the whole intake manifold and clean it out real good. clean out the iacv as well. consider it a chance to really clean up your whole intake tract. taking it out isnt that bad if you have extension and swivel head sockets. you could even take this chance to replace all the rubber hoses, knock sensor, or even delete emissions... (ka-t.org has a write up on that iirc) the other option is to just let it air out and pray... XD at any rate, good luck!