Dying at low revs - MAF and IAC cleaning questions

[Kyngfish]

Hola,

So this happens VERY infrequently, but I've had two situations where at low revs, in gear, the car shuts off.

Reading around, it may be that I need to clean the MAF and Throttle Body, and maybe clean/replace the IAC. I just have a few questions:

• Most videos or tutorials seem to do the Throttle body, OR the MAF or IAC - since they are all sort of linked, is there any problem with doing it all at once?
• I assume that the parts I should get are the gaskets for the throttle body and the IAC - is it worth getting O gasket? Any other parts worth getting while I'm in there?
• Do I just carb cleaner the hell out of all of it?

I know there's a huge debate on this and some people swear by it, but I won't use seafoam. Any other pointers are much appreciated.

EDIT: Also, holy crap these O gaskets used to be like 3 dollars and now they are nearly 40 bucks? what gives?

 

[Buckaroo]

Hola,

So this happens VERY infrequently, but I've had two situations where at low revs, in gear, the car shuts off.

Reading around, it may be that I need to clean the MAF and Throttle Body, and maybe clean/replace the IAC. I just have a few questions:

• Most videos or tutorials seem to do the Throttle body, OR the MAF or IAC - since they are all sort of linked, is there any problem with doing it all at once?
• I assume that the parts I should get are the gaskets for the throttle body and the IAC - is it worth getting O gasket? Any other parts worth getting while I'm in there?
• Do I just carb cleaner the hell out of all of it?

I know there's a huge debate on this and some people swear by it, but I won't use seafoam. Any other pointers are much appreciated.

EDIT: Also, holy crap these O gaskets used to be like 3 dollars and now they are nearly 40 bucks? what gives?

I am not a fan of "shotgunning" problems but these are three pretty simple procedures and, if not performed recently, could be beneficial. The symptoms don's sound like MAF issues but no harm done if you do it right. I think your two most likely culprits are dirty Throttle Body and IAC and effort is minimized doing them at the same time. My experience is that replacement of TB metal gasket may not be required (although I did replace mine) but the rubber IAC gasket likely needs replaced.

1. I am not sure what o-gaskets you are talking about.

2. Carb Cleaner good on Throttle Body and IAC. Take them off and do it right. Tooth brush ok.

3. MAF cleaning should be done with electrical contact cleaner (cheaper) or MAF cleaner. Make sure you get to the hot wire and not just clean the temperature sensing bulb. You are only to spray the hot wire, not touch it.....

Buckaroo

 

[Kyngfish]

I am not a fan of "shotgunning" problems but these are three pretty simple procedures and, if not performed recently, could be beneficial. The symptoms don's sound like MAF issues but no harm done if you do it right. I think your two most likely culprits are dirty Throttle Body and IAC and effort is minimized doing them at the same time. My experience is that replacement of TB metal gasket may not be required (although I did replace mine) but the rubber IAC gasket likely needs replaced.

1. I am not sure what o-gaskets you are talking about.

2. Carb Cleaner good on Throttle Body and IAC. Take them off and do it right.

3. MAF cleaning should be done with electrical contact cleaner (cheaper) or MAF cleaner. Make sure you get to the hot wire and not just clean the temperature sensing bulb.

Buckaroo

I also think it's IAC - or Throttle body - the idle doesn't really stumble then die. It's just there - and completely falls off.

But I figure since it's all fairly easy, I might as well do it.

The O Gasket is the throttle body gasket (stock it has a slight D shape which supposedly blocks airflow). I was reading that people upgraded to the TRD gasket used in the supercharger kit, which used to be like 3 dollars. Now it's 35. Maybe I can just shave the existing gasket down with a dremel? Who knows.

 

[Buckaroo]

I've not changed that gasket and cleaned the TB twice.

Buckaroo

 

[Kyngfish]

I've not changed that gasket and cleaned the TB twice.

Buckaroo

Well to take your advice, I'll probably just try the TB and IAC first.

 

[LittleCaesar]

FYI:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-V1P9dReis

 

[Buckaroo]

^^^^ This is the video I watched before doing the IAC cleaning. My rubber gasket (he refers to it as an o-ring) did not separate intact so I had to replace. Also, those screws are tight... I tried to be super careful but rounded one out and had to replace (small $$ from dealership). Hosed it repeatedly with carb cleaner and scrubbed with old tooth brush....

Buckaroo