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Jinster · 10-15-2013, 12:36 AM

I posted this at renntech as well, but I'd like to get some thoughts from ppl here too.

When I last cleaned my throttle body, I noticed there's a small crack on the plastic casing of my idle control valve. I am unsure if this has been causing any problems, but I have been wanting to replace it for a while.

eBay has Boxster idle control valves around the $300 mark. And I always thought it too expensive for such a simple part.

Then I found this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WD-EXPRESS-134-23002-416-F-I-Idle-Air-Control-Valve-/130909310006?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3AKia%7CModel%3ASportage&hash=item1e7acd8c36&vxp=mtr

I cannot tell if there are any differences between this and our idle control valve. On the surface at least, they look exactly the same. Here is a Boxster one for comparison.

Bosch Fuel Injection Idle Air Control Valve 0280140572 | eBay

I wonder if the whole thing is just an exercise in profit.

In terms of what's inside: The valve is normally half open. Apply a voltage one way, it fully closes. Apply another way, it fully opens. So even if there are "adjustments" on the inside of these ICVs, how can there be that much difference between the Kia and Porsche valves that it causes the price to increase almost ten fold? - my thinking, there isn't any difference. The manufacturer has just been relabelling parts.

I am just wondering if anyone has had any experience on any car with "substituting" idle control valves.

10-15-2013, 12:36 AM	#1
Jinster Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 86	idle control valve substitution! I posted this at renntech as well, but I'd like to get some thoughts from ppl here too. When I last cleaned my throttle body, I noticed there's a small crack on the plastic casing of my idle control valve. I am unsure if this has been causing any problems, but I have been wanting to replace it for a while. eBay has Boxster idle control valves around the $300 mark. And I always thought it too expensive for such a simple part. Then I found this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/WD-EXPRESS-134-23002-416-F-I-Idle-Air-Control-Valve-/130909310006?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3AKia%7CModel%3ASportage&hash=item1e7acd8c36&vxp=mtr I cannot tell if there are any differences between this and our idle control valve. On the surface at least, they look exactly the same. Here is a Boxster one for comparison. Bosch Fuel Injection Idle Air Control Valve 0280140572 \| eBay I wonder if the whole thing is just an exercise in profit. In terms of what's inside: The valve is normally half open. Apply a voltage one way, it fully closes. Apply another way, it fully opens. So even if there are "adjustments" on the inside of these ICVs, how can there be that much difference between the Kia and Porsche valves that it causes the price to increase almost ten fold? - my thinking, there isn't any difference. The manufacturer has just been relabelling parts. I am just wondering if anyone has had any experience on any car with "substituting" idle control valves. __________________ --1989 Mazda MX6 GT --1997 Porsche Boxster --2005 Lexus RX330 --2007 Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT Last edited by Jinster; 10-15-2013 at 12:39 AM.