Okay I made a thread a week or two ago asking about a problem I had. it was the IAC Valve. After the engine gets hot especially after running the AC for about an hour I get the loud humming.

Now my question is what is this hurting by not replacing it right now? Is the noise the only problem or am I hurting my gas mileage or power by not replacing it? I cleaned it but that only quieted the hum it didn't fully remove the hum. The noise level however is about half of what it was.

 

I had the same problem (my ears are still ringing and I replaced it over a year ago). Since it's an Idle Air Control valve it seems to me like it's only an issue at idle speeds. I've had my truck die on me at a light because it couldn't regulate the idle. Very annoying. The impact it has depends on how often you're at idle. I can completely understand money being tight but it'll wear on your sanity (and those around you at idle) real quick. It's about a 5 minute job and a piece of cake to replace. IIRC I paid $59 or something for mine at Discount. Worth every penny.

EDIT: I also have a 98 XLT and my name is spelled the right way too. Rock on!

 

Yeah man the right way sounds nice to hear that. I am not annoyed to bad by the sound since it doesn't happen very often. The time it happens is when I drive the hour home with the AC on the whole time then if I stop at a store or something along the way. When I start it back up I get the hum but before I shut it off nothing. I guess I will just wait till next month to fix it if it is not going to cause any damage. I haven't had a problem with the idle being rough or anything just the noise and man is it embarassing at the fast food window.

 

I know...or at a sound competition, you pull up at a car show, sit there and look for directions where to park and everyone turns around because your truck sounds like a sick moose


It really pissed me off like someoene sle said its a $60 and takes 5 mins to change, not even, it took me longer to find a wrench lol!!!!! I was like WTF....i just got ripped off, but mine was to the point of shutting off too, after i changed it i gained an MPG, i keep records of my gas mileage, i went from 18.0mpg to 19.2 - 19.8mpg steadily for 2 months now every week...so i dont know?


The point of this rant is, its not gonna go away unless you change it, and yes it affects start ups, and ideling

 

Adequate preparation should have nullified that :) I have next to 0 mechanical ability and *I* did this.

 

Yeah I should change it and will in the next month just funds are tight the next week since I am buying a house and have to have 8g's for tuesday and the closing. As soon as thats all straight a new vavle will be bought and installed in the parking lot.