AIV Location and Servicing Tips

[driftin8ez]

I read the FAQ on the main page about servicing the AIV but it was very vague. Where is this valve located and what is the best way to get to it. Any other servicing tips would be great.

[[s3]]

Lower driver side....use a socket wrench remove all nuts, remove unit, plug up hoses.

[driftin8ez]

The reason I was wondering how to clean it is becouse my idle is starting to get messed up and i presume it is dirty. If the thing is dirty will removing it fix my idle problem?

[Axel Grungy]

if it doesnt fix it, itll take that whole unit out of the equation. plus it gives you a little power woohoo. i took mine out, all is good.

[2240sx]

Shift_paid for...lol :ylsuper

[2240sx]

Also, what about the vaccum for the butterflies in the intake manifold?

[C-Kwik]

The reason I was wondering how to clean it is becouse my idle is starting to get messed up and i presume it is dirty. If the thing is dirty will removing it fix my idle problem?

The AIV does nothing for idle. The IAC is what controls the idle.

Do a search on the word FSM. THere have abeen a few posts recently where you can find a Scanned PDF version. It should have details on how to check it and how to remove and install it.

[niznos]

When functioning properly the AIV's job isn't that big a deal, but when it malfunctions, you get problems.

I too recommend removing it. I just did mine an hour ago when I found that it was likely giving back flow from the exhaust, in other words, it was putting burnt, hot, dirty air in my intake. I found carbon by the AIV's inlet from the intake. That definately would affect the engine, including at idle.

[driftin8ez]

I just remebered something. I had 3/4 of fuel and about 1000k on my current oil so i decided to seafoam the oil and my fuel. Then after that i was planning on seafoaming the engine thorugh the brake vacuum line. I'm now i 1/4 of gas and just changed my oil. Could my bad idle be from my 02 sensor going bad from all the strange emisions from the seafoam. I didn't get to do the vacuum line part becouse it is recomended to do the oil and fuel, get a fresh tank of gas change the oil and then do the third part. Before i started this my idle was fine so i'm leaning towards the seafoam. It is also stated that you need to change the plugs and the o2 sensor after Seafoaming the engine.

[navysnail]

yes, after seafoam, new plugs and o2 sensor are almost always needed.

[driftin8ez]

ok so i guess i will continue the whole aiv servicing after i completly finish with the seafoam and replace bot my plugs and o2 sensor. BTW: Does any one know where i could get some NGK iridium plugs and an o2 sensor for my car in the US. PDM-Racing has great prices but is located in canada.Thanx for all the help so far

[niznos]

Your local auto parts store probably stocks the oxygen sensor though you may have to splice the connector on from the old one, and they ought to be able to order those plus within a couple of days. Check with them first before spending extra on the internet for shipping.

[driftin8ez]

thanx i was able to find what i needed at NAPA.

[karay240]

If I'm not mistaken, AutoZone is the biggest distributor of NGK, so I'd ask them.

[navysnail]

nissan stock plugs are ngk so they will probobly have tons of them in stock.

[karay240]

probably not iridium plpugs, though. . .

[driftin8ez]

Ok i just got finished with the three stage seafoam. I replaced all my plugs with the v-power NGK and replaced my o2 sensor as well. I also installed one of those ebay intakes with the mas adaptor and the filter. My engine sounds totally differant now. I feels a little better at the top end and also idles fine. Now should i take off the AIV? Will it do anything to how my car idles?

[niznos]

If it's running fine, then you don't have to do the AIV. Just beware that it seems to give many of us problems with age, so if you start getting trouble out of it, you'll have to deal with it then.

[driftin8ez]

ya but should i remove it for "performance" reasons? will it mess up my idle?

[navysnail]

aiv only changes emissions, nothing to do with idle, i put a cheap wall mart breather on mine so exhaust doesnt to into my intake

[nlzmo400r]

k, just a couple questions, what does AIV mean? and also, what exactly does it do, i never knew it returned air from my exhaust into my intake (seems kinda freakin dumb to me).

[niznos]

AIV is Air Induction (Injection) Valve. It's not supposed to be returning exhaust to the intake, it only does that when it goes bad. The AIV when operating normally is supposed to put clean filtered intake air into the exhaust when a vacuum is present in the exhaust due to exhaust pulsing. Basically it cheats the emissions laws by putting fresh air into the exhaust. Some say is helps reduce emissions by getting the catalytic converter to heat up faster when cold.

It's the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) system that puts exhaust back into the intake. It reduces emissions by putting "filler" in the intake. If you partially breath air that is not filled with oxygen, then the engine will not put in the fuel for it. Less fuel and oxygen means less emission that exit the tail pipe.

Removing the AIV will not boost performance under normal circumstances, however, if it's back flowing then there is a gain since you are making the engine go from bad to normal.

Removing the EGR will give you some gain because you are cutting out that filler that is normally in your air/fuel mixture.

Both will require plugging the holes left in your intake and exhaust, and both will up your emission levels. Consider this if you are in an emissions inspected area.