IAC, plugs, and fuel filter question.

[BurningRubber]

Im getting the feeling its time to do some general matenince on the Stang.

I have an idle issue sometimes. If I come to a stop about 1/5th of the times the idle will bounce up and down between 400rpm, and about 7-800 where it should idle at. I assume this is just a dirty IAC since everyone complains about it, and that usually is the fix. What do I clean it with, and is there any technique to it?

And plugs... Dont know when they've been changed last, and I have a slight bog when the car is first cold started. Usually just through first letting the clutch out, or first and a little bit of 2nd gear. What are the best plugs to use? Someone I know told me to get a certain kind, but I want to know what you guys reccomend also.

Last... fuel filter. I imagine this could play into the miss after first starting up also. Again, dont know when it was changed so I might as well do it also. Any particular brand or anything thats best?

 

[DTNODYA]

Ok, here's my suggestions (kilgore style):

Clean your Throttle Body.

Replace PCV valve (cheap) .. Well, first take it out and shake it, if you don't hear a little ball rolling around you can spray carb cleaner in there to 'clean it' but you may as well buy a new one cuz they are cheap.

Inspect MAF and if it looks even somewhat dirty, clean that mug ... use some electrical cleaner on the element but BE CAREFUL NOT TO DAMAGE ELEMENT.

Check all your hoses for cracks/leaks/disconnected ....

Clean your IAC by taking it off, spraying carb cleaner/TB cleaner/etc. Then some say to use WD-40 to help "prolong it's life" or until you get a new one.

Replace your IAT sensor (cheap)

Plugs and plug wires are always helpful.

Fuel filters are good as well. I think they are all the same (???)


Now out of all those things, do the free ones first, cheap ones second, contemplate the more expensive ones (plug wires, IAC, ...)


Anyone feel free to add to or discredit my 'smarts'

 

[BurningRubber]

Thanks for the tips man. Keep em coming.

 

[SunburstGoldGT]

I replaced my fuel filter on my 00 GT with around 70K on it this past month, i was disgusted with what i saw, mud came out of the thing, i had been feeding my motor dirty fuel for god knows how long, it took 5 minutes to change and it only cost 12 dollars from a parts store IIRC. Your stang will thank you for changing it. I got a motorcraft one from advance auto, but they are all pretty much contructed the same, good luck, and dont forget the special tools to get the fuel lines off.

 

[BurningRubber]

So does anyone have a reccomendation for plugs?

 

[Pennywise2]

So does anyone have a reccomendation for plugs?

Motorcraft or Autolite.

 

[Mel96GT]

Replace those wires. I had a slight miss until I replaced a bad wire. Car runs great now. Those wires can't take too much mis-handling.

 

[BurningRubber]

No plug wires on a 99 and up 4.6. We have the joy of coil on plug...