IAC Question

In the process of cleaning my IAC, I had the chamber filled with carb cleaner and was using a stick to clean everything I could.

When I went to swish the carb cleaner around, my hand got wet. Further inspection found that the carb cleaner was coming out of the nickle size "cap" on the top of the IAC.

It would seem to me that this should be a sealed system and the only air in or out was through the plunger that moves back and forth under control from PCM.

I think if carb cleaner (or air) can get in through that cap that it would be a vacuum leak.

Anyone know if this "cap" should be sealed or is it some kind of vent.

Thanks.

I do not know for a 2000.
The IAC on my '96 was different and did not have that cap.
I looked up the IAC for a 2000 3.8L windstar and see that it is different than mine....and has that cap.

From what I've read, the black cap is some sort of vent that contains a small filter inside. If you are going to clean the IAC, carefully pull off the cap first.
If youve already got this filter wet with cleaner, pull the cap off and let the filter dry first. From the diagram, it looks like this vent would be on the outer side of the throttle plate, so it shouldnt be a vacuum leak. I would say that its normal for cleaner to come out of this area, just take it off and dry that filter.
As a side note, i've also read that these valves are not servicable and should not be cleaned. Only replaced. But i've cleaned several.
http://www.aa1car.com/library/idle_air_solenoid_ford.gif