Bench testing 84 Carrera Idle Valve

[yelcab1]

Can an Idle Valve be bench tested beyond the simple resistance test? I have 12V, and I have a heat gun. What am I looking to see when applying 12V to the ICV, and would it change if I heat it up?

[yelcab1]

Where can I find a reasonably priced fuel pressure regulator for an 84 Carrera ?

0-280-160-215 is the Bosch number?

[archstanton]

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=franny+and+heidi+garage+idle&view=detail&mid=DD18B2B3A999546E974EDD18B2B3A999546E974E&FORM=VIRE

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by yelcab1

Where can I find a reasonably priced fuel pressure regulator for an 84 Carrera ?

0-280-160-215 is the Bosch number?

Yelcab,

When I was looking for a replacement Bosch fuel pressure regulator (used and new) last summer, even the used ones were priced ridiculously expensive. I tried two (2) used Bosch pressure regulators and both failed. I even asked a friend to help me find one in Europe and the cost was well over $400 excluding shipping and handling. In my desperation to get the car running again, I tried a Delco version of the Bosch fuel pressure regulator made in Mexico from a local auto parts store and paid $73 for it.

I stalled the cheapy pressure regulator and got the car to run again. Not sure how long this thing will last but so far happy to get the car running again. Yesterday, I moved the car out from the garage to do some carpentry work and the temperature was at low 30°‘s. One turn of the ignition switch and drove the car out. I will get another spare unit just in case this pressure regulator does not last long as the OEM Bosch.

Overall, I am happy with the $73 fix I made. We’ll see how long this will last and will keep you posted.

Tony

[yelcab1]

It looks to me like the idle valve has either ON or OFF position. In the ON position, the opening is not variable and only a small orifice is visible. I cleaned it with Carb cleaner liberally, and then put it back.

[bdonally]

Tony, do you have a part number for the Delco regulator?

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by bdonally

Tony, do you have a part number for the Delco regulator?

bdonally,

I was not too proud to replace the OEM FPR (Made in Germany) with one made from the south of the border. So I did not bother to save the box and just installed it. The pressure test gave values similar to the spec and it made the car start and run. So for $73, I got what I paid for.

I got it from a local auto parts store and used the Bosch number (0-280-160-215) to locate a generic FPR for Carrera 3.2 engine. The OEM Bosch FPR is nicely made compared to the generic brand. You could see the difference between the the two by just comparing them side by side. Price wise $73 to $500.

I am satisfied with its performance so far and will buy a spare FPR. At one time, our host carries the Delco brand FPR.

Tony

[ischmitz]

Originally Posted by yelcab1

Can an Idle Valve be bench tested beyond the simple resistance test? I have 12V, and I have a heat gun. What am I looking to see when applying 12V to the ICV, and would it change if I heat it up?

Unfortunately bench-testing an ICV is not very straight forward. There are three terminals. The center terminal is the common and there is a coil between each outer terminal and the center.

The DME sends a pulse train with variable duty cycle to one of the outer terminals and the inverse to the other side. If the duty cycle is 50% the vane sits in the center of its motion. If the duty cycle changes to where one side "sees" more ON-time than the other the vane moves accordingly.

The best test is to check resistance of the coils and check that the vane moves freely with no power applied. Then hook it up to the DME with the ignition ON but the engine not running. If you can feel it vibrating and making a slight shudder motion about once a second you pretty much know the ICV is good and the DME (at least the ICV driver) is working. If the valve slams all the way open or shut when you connect it something is wrong. Depending on the resistance test you can tell what it is. If both coils are OK with their resistance it points towards a bad harness or DME itself.

Ingo

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by bdonally

Tony, do you have a part number for the Delco regulator?

Bdonally,

I thought it was a Delco brand(?). But the box does not have the name. Anyway, I went back to the local auto store and will pick it up on the day they have a SALE to get the discount.



Tony

[spuggy]

Originally Posted by yelcab1

Where can I find a reasonably priced fuel pressure regulator for an 84 Carrera ?

0-280-160-215 is the Bosch number?

Our host lists that Bosch part for $89.50, shows as "Available" and "ships in 1 day"? https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/0280160215.htm?pn=0-280-160-215-INT

[yelcab1]

Originally Posted by spuggy

Our host lists that Bosch part for $89.50, shows as "Available" and "ships in 1 day"? https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/0280160215.htm?pn=0-280-160-215-INT

Not when it's in your cart. It becomes unavailable and the recommended alternative is the Porsche one to the tune of several hundred dollars. Sorry, not doing that,

[spuggy]

Originally Posted by yelcab1

Not when it's in your cart. It becomes unavailable and the recommended alternative is the Porsche one to the tune of several hundred dollars. Sorry, not doing that,

Ha, that trick again. This is starting to become a trend...

Yeh, the Bosch seems out-of-stock almost everywhere. And when the OEM one lists for nearly $600 against the Bosch @ $90, I can see your point...

Luckily, it's not magic or oddly specific to 911 fitment (like the short-reach CHT), it's a fuel pressure regulator. In your position, I'd probably buy a couple of FLAPS generics; cheap, direct replacement, will probably look much the same.

Simply used a good-quality aftermarket adjustable for my EFI conversion - where originality isn't a consideration...