Board logo

Idle control valve
Mark Allanson - 12/9/03 at 09:38 PM

I have just started my plenum chamber reduction. I have cut out the 'manifold' part and welded a plate on the back to mate up with a mild steel replacement box.

I have looked at the afor mentioned valve and see that I will have to make a pipe from the throttle casting to the upper hole in the valve, the lower hole being vented to the chamber itself.

Does anyone know how the valve actually works? I can copy what Ford did no problem and it will probably work OK, but I hate copying something without knowing the gen!

Mark Rescued attachment Plenum2.jpg
Rescued attachment Plenum2.jpg

spy - 12/9/03 at 09:49 PM

on a zetec, the idle control valve lets more air into the cylinders when the car is stood still to give a better idle. There are 2 holes (air in and out) connected by a channel within the valve. There is a plunger that shuts of this air passage under normal driving conditions, and opens up when idling.

Mark Allanson - 12/9/03 at 10:06 PM

I thought it would be a bit more complicated than that! I was a bit worried about the bore of the pipe I am going to weld in, or the valve would be variable and computer controlled and I would upset it by modifying it - sound simple!

theconrodkid - 13/9/03 at 05:57 AM

the throttle butterfly is shut tight during idle,the idle controll valve is controlled by the ecu and is adjusted to allow for cold engine,heavy alternator ,a/c loads and keep idle speed stable

spy - 13/9/03 at 09:49 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Mark Allanson
I thought it would be a bit more complicated than that! I was a bit worried about the bore of the pipe I am going to weld in, or the valve would be variable and computer controlled and I would upset it by modifying it - sound simple!


I would have thought the ECU would be able compensate for the bore of pipe, as long as it's not too restrictive (just a guess). When the battery on a mondeo is cut off the ecu is reset to default settings. There is a simple procedure to 're-calibrate' the ecu so that the engine idles correctly.

Mark Allanson - 13/9/03 at 12:09 PM

Can anyone see any reason why this valve would not work on its side i.e. on top of the plenum chamber?

Mark Allanson - 13/9/03 at 07:28 PM

Can anyone see any reason why this valve would not work on its side i.e. on top of the plenum chamber?

Come on, I'm going to fit it tomorrow! Pleeeeez someone must know Rescued attachment Plenum3.jpg
Rescued attachment Plenum3.jpg

Alistair Mc - 15/9/03 at 12:16 PM

you dont need the valve, just turn the tickover up using the idle screw. friend had similar arangment in westy worked fine with no valve.

stephen_gusterson - 15/9/03 at 01:00 PM

im no expert, but my understanding of the valve is that it allows more air into the intake to up the tickover. Mechanically opening the throttle would allow the same effect. However, you ahve a nice ECU in the system thats trying to do the job for you too. My guess is it really doesnt matter where the air is bled in, as long as all cylinders get a look in. On my V6 its placed on the side of the plegnum just past the butterflys. Mounting on the top doesnt seem like a deal breaker....

atb

steve

Mark Allanson - 15/9/03 at 06:19 PM

I have welded the bleed pipe so it exits at the side now, I'll post some pickies when I have it all assembled

Thanks

Mark

Mark Allanson - 15/9/03 at 06:25 PM

There we are! Rescued attachment Plenum4Pipe.jpg
Rescued attachment Plenum4Pipe.jpg

Mark Allanson - 15/9/03 at 08:31 PM

All temporarily put together, all I need is a lid, and a couple of brackets, it will look better when painted (My daughters says it looks like a cofin for Barbie - I do worry about her - she is doing psycollogy and uni!) Rescued attachment Plenum5.jpg
Rescued attachment Plenum5.jpg