IMRC'S on later models
busboy4
11-28-2006, 06:52 PM
Hi All
As an owner of a '96 with a current IMRC problem (front actuator fails to operate/hold vacuum) I was interested to look closely at a '99 and an '01 today. First, Ford wisely got away from vacuum control. On these vans the actuators are electric. Secondly, Ford also wisely designed these controllers to hold the IMRC "Butterflies" in a normally closed position - with power off/failed, the IMRC's are closed where you want them most of the time, and then with high engine RPM, the actuators pull the IMRC's open. On the '96, the vacuum actuators are spring loaded to hold the valves open and thus they "fail" open in the absence of vacuum. I like the newer setup better.
Of course the new ones have the isolator bolt issue, so you win a few, lose a few.
As an owner of a '96 with a current IMRC problem (front actuator fails to operate/hold vacuum) I was interested to look closely at a '99 and an '01 today. First, Ford wisely got away from vacuum control. On these vans the actuators are electric. Secondly, Ford also wisely designed these controllers to hold the IMRC "Butterflies" in a normally closed position - with power off/failed, the IMRC's are closed where you want them most of the time, and then with high engine RPM, the actuators pull the IMRC's open. On the '96, the vacuum actuators are spring loaded to hold the valves open and thus they "fail" open in the absence of vacuum. I like the newer setup better.
Of course the new ones have the isolator bolt issue, so you win a few, lose a few.
road_rascal
11-30-2006, 01:23 AM
I used to own a '96 (now have an '01) and had a ton of problems with the IMRCs on the '96. Sure glad I had a Ford service contract because it paid for itself at least fourfold. So far the '01 is running great with 71K.
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