Idle Air Control Problem!

[ChadFoose]

Hey Everyone!, I'm new to the forum and this is my first post here! I have a 2000 Trailhead, 3.0 5-speed. I've searched and read many post about the subject of the engine revving to 3k until the truck comes to a complete stop. Everyone says to clean the IAC solenoid. I've done this and it works, but it always comes back. I bought the truck new and it started doing this before the factory warranty ran out so i took the truck to the ford dealership and they replaced the IAC solenoid, which fixed it. But before the warranty ran out it began to do it again so i took it back and of course this time i couldn't get it to do it to save my life. So every 10,000 miles or so i have to clean the IAC and this fixes it for a while. My Question is "Is there a way to permanently fix this problem?" Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Big Jim M]

Chad tell us what is in front of the IAC that is causing the dirt to get in there.. Do you have the entire factory intake tube and air cleaner? Or have you changed something. Properly installed the factory system doesn't allow anything larger than 5 microns to enter the IAc.. What's up with your ride? Couldn't be a K&N could it?
Big JIm

 

[ChadFoose]

Big Jim, First Thanks for the reply! Second, Everything is completely stock. I use fram filters everytime i do an oil change (every 3k). The last time I change the oil the air filter looked like a trash can. Do you think that maybe some got passed the filter?

 

[Big Jim M]

Trash can,,huh?

Big Jim, First Thanks for the reply! Second, Everything is completely stock. I use fram filters everytime i do an oil change (every 3k). The last time I change the oil the air filter looked like a trash can. Do you think that maybe some got passed the filter?

Well if one has a small air leak somehwere that the air doesn't pass thru the filter...and the filter gets trashy..seems all the more likely that the air leak would present a bit of that trash into the engine..Or it might stop at the IAC.
I'd be looking into possible places where the air can get around the filter or other places where air could enter the intake.
Ps good for you with the stock stuff.
Big JIm

 

[Bob Ayers]

Check your PCV valve, if it is blocked, you are getting blow-by into your intake from the crankcase.

+1 with Big Jim on the OEM paper air filters!

 

[ChadFoose]

Thanks for the advice, i will be checking those items out as soon as i can.

 

[Big Jim M]

There ya go Bob!

Check your PCV valve, if it is blocked, you are getting blow-by into your intake from the crankcase.

+1 with Big Jim on the OEM paper air filters!

Two minds are always better than one.. The damn PCV never entered my mind when answering his post.

But your post gave me an idea. There is a gauge I'm thinking of that would prove useful!

How bout a gauge with the needle centered at rest, with Markings similiar to this: ----0++++ The gauge would measure the pressure inside the engine! Should always be on the --- side but when at 0 or slightly above the blowby is gaining on the engine and needs to be addresed...

Now that gauge would be of benefit to the driver...much more than true oil pressure and temp gauges hanging from the dash. (opinion)
Big JIm

 

[almostclueless]

No guage is more important than a proper oil pressure gauge system

 

[Bryan22]

you might try putting a thin coat of grease where the air filter mates the box when you change the filter to prevent any dirt from bypassing .