ENG: EGR Valve Cleaning

[ExplodingCake]

This is for the rookies. You pro's already know this.

What's needed:

- Socket Wrench
- 12MM Socket
- Wrench Extender
- Carb Cleaner
- New EGR Gasket
- PB Blaster (if needed)
- Mini screw driver (to remove the sticked carbon)

This has to be one of the easiest things to do for your car. It will smooth out the idle and will perform better. This will also drop the NOx a bit and it highly applies to CA emmisions.

I have 7 points left before I fail the NOx. So hopefully this will help dramatically.

PROCEDURE:

- Start by locating the EGR valve (It is the trangular thing on the left side of the fuel rail. Right on the back of the distributor connectors.)
- Remove the two 12MM nuts on the EGR valve
- If the nuts are not moving , stop immediately. You will either snap them off or strip the nuts.
- Spray with PB blaster and let it sit for a while
- Now go back on removing the 2 nuts
- Once the nuts are removed , unplug the electrical connector and detach the #16 vacuum hose
- Carefully lift the EGR valve off the port
- Now what you will see is a valve full of carbon
- Spray the valve with carb cleaner
- Let is sit for a minute
- Now get the mini screw driver and carefully scrape off stubbon carbon
- Once again spray with carb cleaner
- Dry excess fluid with no-lint towel
- Replace you old worn out EGR gasket with a new one (They're cheap)
- Insert back EGR valve on the port
- Re-attach electrical connector and #16 hose
- Tighten the two 12MM nuts
- Start the engine and give it a test drive and feel the difference


Here is a picture of a clean EGR valve.



Now combine this with cleaning of the EGR ports , cleaning of IACV and throtle body then HOLY SWEET MOTHER! your car will thank you.

[TypeG]

good thread. here's my before and after:




just a note, you usually don't need a new gasket, infact some people don't even have them. later.

[ExplodingCake]

good thread. here's my before and after:




just a note, you usually don't need a new gasket, infact some people don't even have them. later.

haha saw that before. Nasty pieces.

I see about the gasket. Mine was done for so I decided to add it in.
I'll use your pics for reference if ya don't mind.

[90Haccord]

I did this last month.

Seemed to help the car ALOT.

I got a gasket from autozone, it was .99cents felpro was the brand i believe.


Those bolts are a bitch to get off, they strip VERY easily after all the years of the EGR heating them up, then cool down, then heat up again, you get the idea. They are soft as hell.

[wed3k]

I did this last month.

Seemed to help the car ALOT.

I got a gasket from autozone, it was .99cents felpro was the brand i believe.


Those bolts are a bitch to get off, they strip VERY easily after all the years of the EGR heating them up, then cool down, then heat up again, you get the idea. They are soft as hell.

6" wobbly extension does the trick every time.

[Haccord21]

why does this help the car out so much? whats the egr do for cars? still learning about them.

[TypeG]

why does this help the car out so much? whats the egr do for cars? still learning about them.

it's for emmissions (nox). if the egr ports and egr valve get clogged, you won't pass emissions. later.

[cp[mike]]

6" wobbly extension does the trick every time.

with a short socket. works every time

[Haccord21]

Maybe ills get this done On a boring dAy good write up.

[CB7Man]

Got my gasket and I'm doing this tomarrow
and doesnt the ECU recognize this through the O2 sensor?

[CB7 Fanatic]

I failed smog at the referee today (H22 swap) due to high NOx emissions (good thing the referee was free). Took it someplace and paid $50 to get that diagnosed (wish I would have looked online before heading strait there from the smog check) and he gave a me a list of things to replace ans services to get. He told me to replace the EGR Valve, distributor cap and rotor (because he told me he noticed I replaced the plugs and wires), do a fuel system service (I was also high on hydrocarbons in the 15mph test, but extremely low on the 25mph test).

That's the backstory, now to my question...

I followed the service manual and did some testing and the valve itself is fine (other than some carbon buildup). When I attach a vacuum guage to hose #16, I don't get any vacuum at idle (which I know is good). I also do not get any vacuum at ANY rpm. Under acceleration, I do get vacuum for about 1 second, then it goes back to no vacuum even though rpms are still climbing. What could my problem be?

[ExplodingCake]

EGR failed.

[CB7 Fanatic]

EGR failed.

That's what I said in my last post. Where could it be failing is my question. The valve is fine, it's just not getting an vacuum in order to open the valve.

[Law Grandeur]

That's what I said in my last post. Where could it be failing is my question. The valve is fine, it's just not getting an vacuum in order to open the valve.

maybe your ecu is going wacko? i replaced my egr twice and even with resetting the ecu it said the egr valve was bad. might be another part of the egr system if it isnt the egr valve itself

[timmy0tool]

i usually also clean the port on top of just cleaning the valve itself. just spray some carb cleaner and clean with a toothbrush. then start her up and let it burn off and reinstall. then i passed smog! with a jdm h22 mind you!

good work!