3.2 icv leaking internally?
 

Been chasing an idle gremlin on my ‘86 for a few weeks...
On my third smoke test I saw a wisp coming out the ICV. Indeed it holds no vacuum with a mityvac hand vacuum and if I apply a little pressure and soapy water I see bubbles and feel air out the back.

I’ve read every single thread on 3.2 idle problems... anyone seen this before?

Air leak.......
 

The ICV should not leak at the body. Are you sure the leak was not coming from the hose connection? Any sign of air leak coming from the body of the ICV is bad news. Have you tried to bench test it?

Tony

I did bench test it. Does not hold a vacuum, and soap bubbles did come out between the outer brass casing and the electrical connector. I’ve just never heard of this happening before.

Air leak.........
 

Even if the ICV is still working, installing this ICV will only introduce unmetered air into the system. You need to fix the air leak caused by the ICV to correct your idle problem.

Tony

Not necessary. Unmetered air can easily be compensated by the mixture adjustment on the airflow meter mixture screw which is actually an unmeterd air adjustment. Any minor unmetered air can easily be adjusted out.

Joe

I took it apart. Though there is an O-ring sealing the zinced steel housing from the valve, there doesn’t seem to be anything sealing the black electrical connector to the housing. I think it’s designed to leak a little. :confused::confused:

It doesn’t seem like it’s possible to remove the electrical connector without destroying the housing. I saw bubbles where the connector meets the housing and on the terminals themselves.

That's why minor leaks mean nothing. Even a new one will leak.