The TE finally go to the point it was stalling hot again on Mom, so I dived into the idle control valve/vacuum leak issue again.

Found that the new hose (some years back now) from ICV to manifold had neatly split down the mold seam, so taped that up with duct tape until I could get a replacement. No joy, still idles too rough and is cranky hot (start and immediate stall several times). Not the AC since all the freon leaked out again, so I start looking again.

Sure enough, I still have a strong hissing noise when I cover the fuel control flap opening with the engine running. What's this, the clamp on the rubber boot between fuel distributor air housing and throttle body isn't tight. Screw is down and boom, no stall, idles much smoother, no thottle lag, runs much better on the road, etc. Still rougher idle that I want, but I figure that's crud on the plugs since it gets better after driving a bit.

So I buy a new boot, a new idle control valve hose, and tear into it.

Not too bad, other than dropping one of the injector clamp screws (I pulled them to get the lines off the fuel distributor -- next time I'd leave them in and take the lines of instead). Put the old boot back on the air housing once and had to take it off again. The fitting for the other ICV hose fits MUCH better in the new boot, too!

The new boot was a real pain to get on, had to use a right angle pick to persuade it onto the throttle body, but it fits nice now. The idle control valve hose to the manifold is vastly easier to install with the fuel distributor air housing off, too. Almost easy.

So I fire it up, and thump thump thump, idle is much worse cold. Get the brake parts cleaner out and spray the injectors, and the idle smooths right out when I spray #s 2 and 3. New seals on order, should make this thing finally work right. I didn't set the mixture even though it seems a bit rich since I'd just have to do it again later in the week and Mom's only gonna drive 50 miles or so.

Great fun, nice way to spend Labor day, finished off by dinner at the next door neighbors with home-made wine and beer.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!