Can the EGR valve be cleaned out?

[Off Road SHO]

I keep getting the code for insuffient flow for the EGR and was wondering if there is a way to clean it out with carb cleaner or something. I've got a 95 ATX with about 100k miles on it.

Thanks

Tom

 

[BlackOnBlackATX]

yeah, with a good stiff wire brush and some berrymans b12 you can clean that bad boy out. never done it myself but ive read enough about it. let us know how it goes!

 

[Mr Anonymous]

The EGR valve is not serviceable.

An insufficient EGR flow code does not necessarily indicate that anything is wrong with the EGR valve itself. You'll first need to make sure everything in your EGR system is connected properly, especially the vacuum lines. Then check the EGR plumbing for any breaks or blockages -- you may just need to clean out the nostrils in the intake. If after all that you still get the code, only then should you replace the EGR valve itself, about $35 at most auto parts chains.

 

[Off Road SHO]

By nostrils, do you mean the single hole in the intake plenum? Thanks

Tom

 

[BlackOnBlackATX]

Chris, thanks for reminding me about that one. you are 100% correct, "insufficient EGR flow usually means the nostrils are dirty, but at which chain stores have you found a new valve for that cheap? because everyone around here gouges us for $75 for a new valve(autozone, advance auto). ill definately switch stores once you let me know. and i have heard contrary that the valve *is* serviceable (or so ive read here on the forum) but that it usually wont work well if you do it more than twice. but again, i have never done it myself.

tom, there are little outlets inside the intake for the EGR. there is a procedure on shotimes.com to clean them out. i ended up taking mine to ford to do it, but it was around $150 if i recall. but im sure if you have even slight mechanical ability youll have no problem doing it yourself. im also sure a search here will turn something up for you. let us know how it turns out.

<small>[ May 21, 2003, 09:03 PM: Message edited by: BlackOnBlackATX ]</small>

 

[Mr Anonymous]

ThomasDooley:
By nostrils, do you mean the single hole in the intake plenum? Thanks

Tom

Here's a photo to help you out. You can see these if you remove the intake hose at the throttle body, and manually open the throttle plate to look inside. The usual way people do it is to use a metal coathanger to make an 'L' shaped tool to root out the nostrils.

<small>[ May 22, 2003, 10:38 AM: Message edited by: SHOooo ]</small>

 

[Off Road SHO]

Chris, Your picture didn't SHO up for. I found the recessed socket head screws, but didn't fel like removing everything to get to them.

What I ended up doing was getting some Berryman's B-12 in spray and liquid. With the EGR disconnected from the intake and engine running at about 2000 rpms, I sprayed 2-second bursts of B-12 into the intake hole. I then attached a small vacuum hose to the can of liquid B-12 and let it be sucked into the throttle body by way of the outside vacuum attachment and the idle air bypass hole inside the throttle body.

Took it out for a spirited run afterward and no CEL.

Hooray!

Thanks for the help guys.

Tom

 

[Off Road SHO]

Thanks SHOooo, that picture came through just fine.

Tom

 

[dastuph]

Here's a photo to help you out. You can see these if you remove the intake hose at the throttle body, and manually open the throttle plate to look inside. The usual way people do it is to use a metal coathanger to make an 'L' shaped tool to root out the nostrils.

<small>[ May 22, 2003, 10:38 AM: Message edited by: SHOooo ]</small>

GREAT photo to accompany this post. It was exactly what I needed to get me started. If cleaned out the left nostril pretty good. I get a coat hanger wire up quite a ways now. My problem is the right nostril is not giving in at all. Does it follow the same path or does it branch off elsewhere?????

What else needs to be cleaned out besides these two nostrils???

 

[Jaz2099]

To the right of the egr valve there kinda behind it. I think it is an 8mm allen wrench you'll need.(back of intake) That is another passage. I stuck a tube and blew threw there as seen on another post. It will blow threw the nostrils.

 

[dastuph]

Yeah, we pulled the intake off and did some serious cleaning on it. There was alot of build up in the EGR passageways and the intake itself. Heres a side by side pic of my dirty one and the clean one.....pretty much speaks for itself. You can see in the left hand EGR nostril the 'plug' of build up thats totally clogging it up. I can't believe there was that much crap built up in it.

After we pulled the intake off and unscrewed those two large hex bolts I cleaned out the main passageway with a wire brush. It pushed a glob of built up carbon out of the EGR holes that was about 2-inches long and nearly as big around as a pencil. No wonder I was having problems.

I checked the codes again and only got back the two o2 sensor codes. I'll get them next weekend.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Randall]

These pictures are great, and I know I am going to seem ignorant for asking this, but where exactly are the nostils? Can they be accessed without taking off the entire intake? I really don't want to have to buy the intake gasket set if possible, but I need to get rid of that 332 code and IAC issues I have been having. Thanks for any help.

 

[shoteen95]

These pictures are great, and I know I am going to seem ignorant for asking this, but where exactly are the nostils? Can they be accessed without taking off the entire intake? I really don't want to have to buy the intake gasket set if possible, but I need to get rid of that 332 code and IAC issues I have been having. Thanks for any help.

They're inside the intake, just pass the throttle body. I think the best way to clean them is to just remove the intake, dismantle the whole thing while you're at it, and give every part a good cleaning. It looks intimidating at first, and the first time you do it will take forever if you're anything like me, but it's all uphill from there if you ever need to take it apart again.

I cleaned out the EGR passageways in my intake while I had it off, and that was to change plugs/wires/valve cover gaskets. The intake gasket set was rather inexepensive if I remember. I think mine was like, 20 bucks. It was meager next to the cost of the VCC gaskets.

 

[sdpatt]

On several EGR equipped SHOs that were displaying the 332 code, I was able to clear the nostrils at the openings to the interior of the intake and correct the blockage. Removing the Allen plug at the end of the EGR flow passage at the rear corner of the intake allowed me to confirm good flow by inserting a snug fitting rubber hose in the plug end and blowing through it. There is no major reason to remove the intake, only the throttle body.

The nostrils are drilled horizontally across the split in the intake. You can take a thick coat hanger and make a 90 degree bend about 2" from the end. This "tool" can be used along with intake cleaner to root out gunk in the nostrils. The hanger tip should be able to pass completely through the nostrils, in one side and out the other side. The passage upstream of the nostrils is drilled from the bottom surface of the intake and plugged with another Allen plug. The flow path at the nostrils looks like "T".

 

[SolidState]

Tom, I also recently had that code (for the second time too) that was caused by a faulty DPFE sensor.

so I took one apart....it wasn't pretty in there...

 

[Off Road SHO]

Holy cow, this is an old post.

I originally used a bent brake line, and with the throttle body help open with a pair of needle nosed vice grips, was able to clean out the horizontal part of the nostrils. I couldn't get to the bottom allen screw but after removing the one below the EGR, I was able to spray some Berrymans in there and let it soak. Then I fished a piece of crinkled stiff wire in there and put a little crank handle in the end and went to town with my little EaGeR Rooter. This worked like a charm. Broke up all the hardened carbon and more spraying (with a modified spray nozzle) of Berryman's forced all the gunk into the nostril area where I could clean it up with paper towels.

Tom

 

[SolidState]

Heyzues....I didn't even look at the date!

 

[Tommy's SHO]

Do I have to replace the throttle body gasket once I remove the throttle body?
The annoying check engine light is on.....

 

[naval-avi8or]

By nostrils, do you mean the single hole in the intake plenum? Thanks

Tom

Nostrils meaning both or two. There are actually four two lower ones are for EGR and the two upper ones are for the idle air control valve.

If you've never cleaned them/one before I would suggest removing the throttle body from the intake so you can see and access them much easier. Then the next time you clem them you can actuall do it by securing the throttle plate open and carfully reaching thru the throttle body.

As for cleaning them out you can use a small pick/screwdriver/coat hangar etc to carefully break the carbon plug up and remove the peices. Then you can spray some B-12 into the holes to loosen up the remaining build up and get them nice and clean.

 

[I1T2BLV]

I tell ya', if it were'nt for you guys I'd be totally lost. The only problem I have is that I (don't laugh out loud too long) don't know what I'm even looking for. I mean the pictures were great. Directions outstanding. I'm trying to work on this car w/out paying a grip of money. So can somebody, anybody, tell me where abouts this valve is? Is it the silver "flying saucer" looking thing near the firewall? Or somewhere near the "*********" air filter? Toss me a bone guys or pictures. I know I'm pretty pathetic when it comes to working on my car, but hey I promised myself this year that I'd try. The 1 thing I DO KNOW, is that I have a car that I really like & would like to keep around.