C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

IAC Removal, L98

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Old Apr 30, 2012 | 10:37 PM
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Default IAC Removal, L98

I have a '87 L98 that I am trying to remove the IAC. Is there a special tool to unscrew it? The way it's located, it is almost impossible to get a conventional socket or wrench on. An tricks? Thanks in advance for any replies.
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Old Apr 30, 2012 | 10:46 PM
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Originally Posted by fcable
I have a '87 L98 that I am trying to remove the IAC. Is there a special tool to unscrew it? The way it's located, it is almost impossible to get a conventional socket or wrench on. An tricks? Thanks in advance for any replies.
You gotta take off the throttle body, no way around that
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Old Apr 30, 2012 | 11:13 PM
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Another thing; I don't know what you're doing, changing or cleaning, just remember to check the height of the plunger. It should be 1 1/8" from gasget to point.
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Old Apr 30, 2012 | 11:20 PM
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Originally Posted by caddyboy84
You gotta take off the throttle body, no way around that
Considering that it only takes 4 screws to remove the throttle body, I have to agree. Pull the TB first. I think the IAC uses recessed hex screws. (Good chance the TB gasket will be reuseable.)
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Old Apr 30, 2012 | 11:23 PM
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Originally Posted by GREGGPENN
Considering that it only takes 4 screws to remove the throttle body, I have to agree. Pull the TB first. I think the IAC uses recessed hex screws. (Good chance the TB gasket will be reuseable.)
I used an adjustable wrench to remove mine, no hex screws. On other cars I've seen them held in by two hex screws but not a Vette his year.
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Old May 1, 2012 | 07:33 AM
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Needle nose vise grips work for me. Just have to get it loose, then spin it out by hand.
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Old May 1, 2012 | 09:40 AM
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Originally Posted by AGENT 86
Needle nose vise grips work for me. Just have to get it loose, then spin it out by hand.
I wouldn't like to do it like that, it would scratch or mar the finish and it would put pressure on the case. Who knows if that little bit of pressure would effect the innards a wrench fits right on it, about a half a turn and its loose
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Old May 1, 2012 | 12:42 PM
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Originally Posted by caddyboy84
I wouldn't like to do it like that, it would scratch or mar the finish and it would put pressure on the case. Who knows if that little bit of pressure would effect the innards a wrench fits right on it, about a half a turn and its loose
The IAC has a steel hex, how would you mar or crush the body clamping onto hex?
There is not much room for a large open end to fit on hex, needle nose vise grips work fine for me.
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Old May 1, 2012 | 01:53 PM
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Originally Posted by AGENT 86
The IAC has a steel hex, how would you mar or crush the body clamping onto hex?
There is not much room for a large open end to fit on hex, needle nose vise grips work fine for me.
To me, Vise-Grips are an emergency tool and I only use them for something that is frozen, my adjustable fit fine. Vise-Grips scratch and damage parts, why not just use the right tool? There is NO WAY a vise-grip is not gonna scratch and chew-up the hex, I just wouldn't do it. "GRIP" is the key word in that equation, why do it?
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Old May 1, 2012 | 03:16 PM
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Originally Posted by caddyboy84
To me, Vise-Grips are an emergency tool and I only use them for something that is frozen, my adjustable fit fine. Vise-Grips scratch and damage parts, why not just use the right tool? There is NO WAY a vise-grip is not gonna scratch and chew-up the hex, I just wouldn't do it. "GRIP" is the key word in that equation, why do it?
Yes, it may leave a mark on the hex, couldn't care less. It's not like it has 100# of torque on it and I need to clamp the living $hit out of it.

Please post a pic with your adjustable wrench on the IAC.
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Old May 1, 2012 | 03:29 PM
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Originally Posted by AGENT 86
Yes, it may leave a mark on the hex, couldn't care less. It's not like it has 100# of torque on it and I need to clamp the living $hit out of it.

Please post a pic with your adjustable wrench on the IAC.
I'm not gonna take it apart to prove it, I've had it out three times, each time the same way. I think you have a beautiful car and you give great and informative advice here, but I was just going through the forum with two master mechanics at my house and both agreed with there being no reason to Vise-Grip that part. If it works, than thats fine, but using any of my Vise-Grips for that job would never enter my mind. I mean if I had to, I'd try and get it out with a salad fork if that was all I had at my disposal, but I have the right tools for the job. I was thinking of cutting open a thin-walled box wrench just for that job but I busted out my large adjustable wrench and at the right position, it fit right on. I mean it's no big deal, but I just don't like chewing up or marring the surface of something I'm not planning on throwing away. It's like using a strap-wrench on chrome plumbing fixtures, some people will use a Channel-Loc which will work, but why leave teeth marks?
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Old May 1, 2012 | 03:35 PM
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I used a socket to remove mine. Most just have the right socket.....WW
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Old May 1, 2012 | 03:35 PM
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I get the impression your talking about removing it without removing the throttle body, which I wouldn't do because I wouldn't want to break anything. It takes 2 minutes to remove the throttle body and do it like a gentleman
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Old May 1, 2012 | 03:38 PM
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Originally Posted by WW7
I used a socket to remove mine. Most just have the right socket.....WW
I have sockets I can line up to the moon, adjustable is still easier. I don't remember there being enough room for a socket, fittings were to close if I remember. I can get my IAC out as fast as I can reassemble a 1911 45ACP, thats fast enough for me.
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Old May 1, 2012 | 04:39 PM
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I just remembered that I had an extra throttle body and IAC and took it out to look at it and take a picture that I'll put in "My garage" a little later. I remembered right, a socket does NOT fit unless you notch the body housing, any socket I have is too thick to slip on it and there is plenty of room for the wrench once the body is disconnected and facing up towards you. I've never seen such a big socket thin walled enough to fit in this space unless something was changed or trimmed, there is just not enough room. Now if I shaved the housing a little, maybe a 16th or so, then a socket would slip over it. I know I'm gonna hear from nay'sayers, but I got it in my hand right now and it is what it is, PERIOD!!
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Old May 1, 2012 | 04:52 PM
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I just posted the pic to "My Garage and am holding the body the way I would under the hood. I remove the cables, then the vacuum lines, then the body, then the plug. I don't remove the coolant lines, I turn it up to that position and "CRACK" a half turn with the wrench and it screws out, nothing abusive at all and no scratches because I'm sick that way
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Old May 1, 2012 | 05:48 PM
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Originally Posted by fcable
I have a '87 L98 that I am trying to remove the IAC. Is there a special tool to unscrew it? The way it's located, it is almost impossible to get a conventional socket or wrench on. An tricks? Thanks in advance for any replies.
The OP was looking for suggestions as it is a pain to get a wrench on it, as stated. I offered an option that worked for me.
Putting a crescent wrench on a IAC that is not on the car is easy.
Show me on your car with the AIR valves and all that other crap, is in the way.
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Old May 1, 2012 | 05:59 PM
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Originally Posted by AGENT 86
The OP was looking for suggestions as it is a pain to get a wrench on it, as stated. I offered an option that worked for me.
Putting a crescent wrench on a IAC that is not on the car is easy.
Show me on your car with the AIR valves and all that other crap, is in the way.
Exactly, EASY. There is no reason to remove that valve without removing the throttle body first , it makes no sense and I would never suggest to any one to do so. My first response was to remove it, if I wanted to torture myself for no reason, I'd hit myself on the hand with a hammer every morning when I wake up Smarter not harder, when the body is off you can service it and clean everything with spray. Why in Gods name would anyone want to attempt taking that valve out while everything is mounted? I wouldn't even think about it.

Last edited by caddyboy84; May 1, 2012 at 06:44 PM.
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Old May 1, 2012 | 07:54 PM
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Originally Posted by caddyboy84
Exactly, EASY. There is no reason to remove that valve without removing the throttle body first , it makes no sense and I would never suggest to any one to do so. My first response was to remove it, if I wanted to torture myself for no reason, I'd hit myself on the hand with a hammer every morning when I wake up Smarter not harder, when the body is off you can service it and clean everything with spray. Why in Gods name would anyone want to attempt taking that valve out while everything is mounted? I wouldn't even think about it.
The OP asked how to remove it without removing the TB, I gave him an answer. I'm sure he is smart enough to see that removing the TB is the best way, but not the only way.
The reason I did, is because my TB had already been cleaned and serviced, but later decided to replace the IAC. If I can take a shortcut and do something in 1/4 of the time, I'll do it, just like replacing a heater core. FSM would have you there for hours and hours, when it can be done in 2 hours with short cuts. Time is money, honey.
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Old May 1, 2012 | 08:20 PM
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Originally Posted by AGENT 86
The OP asked how to remove it without removing the TB, I gave him an answer. I'm sure he is smart enough to see that removing the TB is the best way, but not the only way.
The reason I did, is because my TB had already been cleaned and serviced, but later decided to replace the IAC. If I can take a shortcut and do something in 1/4 of the time, I'll do it, just like replacing a heater core. FSM would have you there for hours and hours, when it can be done in 2 hours with short cuts. Time is money, honey.
The dreaded HEATER CORE I'm starting that job tomorrow with removing the radiator, reversing my fans and adding a tranny cooler then THE CORE. I gotta "Butt Heads" with ya here He never said "Without removing" the throttle body. I'm one for cutting corners, but with limits, I'd hate to see a new thread about "OMG I broke my throttle body cooling nipple!!, or, "I cracked my plastic IAC plug housing"!! I think I'm pretty good and I thought about trying to remove that thing on the plenum but the more I studied it and put this tool up to it and that tool up to it, I said CRAP!! I could've had this out already in the time it took me to try and save time. I would think that doing it your way would not allow enough leverage to properly tighten it down without chewing it up. Honestly though, if someone is asking about this issue, is it plausable to think that they would be able to do it that way? Your way is a trial and error style (which I understand) but shouldn't be suggested for the novice.
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