New to the Forums. Have a few questions - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Sweet Lew · 02-01-2011, 10:58 AM

Greetings All!

I've lurked on here for a couple of years and got some answers to some of my car's issues (THANKS!). However, I've got a few more. Car in question is a 2003 LE Auto:

1. When the car sits overnight in cold weather (teens and colder), and the car starts, it sounds like the starter is grinding. After the car is driven, turned off and started again it doesn't happen. Dealer can never recreate the issue.

2. Again, when the sits in cold weather, the idle wil gradually jump to 2100 RPM and then drop to 1000, almost like it's shifting gears. It will continue to do that for a few times until it warms up. Dealer claims this is normal.

3. When the car is warm, idle is around 550-600 rpm and causes the cabin to vibrate. I have read that it could be a dirtly IACV or a bad Intake mani gasket. Has anyone figured this one out? Dealer claims this is normal operation. I've read normal idle is 800 rpm. A/C and fans on or off, doesn't change a thing.

Thanks for reading!

Lew

mikered30 · 02-01-2011, 11:06 AM

Any check engine lights? Sounds like an intake manifold gasket leak but the low idle could be caused by a dirty IACV.

Sweet Lew · 02-01-2011, 11:10 AM

Thanks for the reply!

For the 8 years we've had the car, we have never had a CEL. Car has been very reliable and all scheduled maintenance has been performed. Car just turned 90k miles.

mikered30 · 02-01-2011, 11:28 AM

Cleaning the IACV is pretty easy and can be done without removing it, although removing it provides better cleaning.

You can try cleaning it first and with the leftover TB cleaner spray around the intake manifold gasket area at cold start up and listen for a rev change.

Enjoy the blizzard.

Sweet Lew · 02-01-2011, 11:30 AM

Thanks!

I've seen the writeups on cleaning the IACV. What spray do I need to use? Is it carb cleaner? Do people also use Sea Foam on these cars?

I'm actually looking forward to the snow. Just picked up a Volvo XC70 AWD. Gonna test it out.

mikered30 · 02-01-2011, 12:47 PM

As long as the cleaner says throttle body cleaner and is sensor safe it is ok.

Sweet Lew · 02-01-2011, 12:59 PM

Thanks!

Elmacanite · 02-02-2011, 12:28 PM

Be careful using carb cleaner to check for leaks. You'll be fine if you do it OUTSIDE but if you're in an enclosed area try to use as little as possible because that stuff is toxic when it burns. Just a friendly heads up.