Hello,

I have 2005 496 ho with 600 hours with the original iac valve. My dealer told me I don’t need to replace it since everything is working. My question is should I replace it since it is so old?

Thank you

If it aint broke don't fix it

All 496 owners should keep a spare IAC on the boat. Easy to change. When you get an IAC fault, change immediately. A failed IAC has the potential to burn up the wiring to the IAC. AKA fire hazard on the water. It can also burn up the IAC Driver bit in the pcm. AKA $$ pcm repair or replacement.

Waterman,

I've heard of guys changing them every season, AND keeping a spare on the boat. They are cheap and easy to replace, but can do a fair bit a damage if they decide to catastrophically fail. There are threads here on OSO that discuss the part number. I know it's a Ford/MotorCraft, readily available part. You don't have to go to Merc and pay through the nose for it.

Thanks. Brad.

I change mine every 3 years on my 496HO. Don't use a knock off, either OEM Mercury or a Ford part (CX1766).