Your car’s engine is a complex machine that requires a multitude of parts to work in perfect harmony, and even a tiny deviation in any of these parts will affect its function. Even a dirty Exhaust Gas Recirculation valve can result in rough idling or engine stalling, lower fuel economy and might cause serious engine damages, thus expensive repairs. Knowing how to clean EGR valve is a simple and handy maintenance tips that will save you a lot of trouble as well as money.
Since the 1960s, vehicle manufacturers have successfully reduced harmful nitrous oxide emissions with the installation of the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valves. The EGR valve recirculates exhaust generated during the engine’s combustion back into the combustion cycle, thereby reducing the engine’s temperature and lowering the production of poisonous nitrous oxide.
EGR valves open and close to control the gas flow. Overtime, the exhaust builds up a hard and thick wall of carbon, locking the EGR valve opened or closed. This will block system passages, thus increasing the engine’s temperature and increasing nitrous oxide emissions. Worse, a dirty EGR valve can lower mileage and the lifespan of the engine, or cause rough idling, stalling or knocking.
That’s why car manufacturers recommend cleaning the EGR valve and passages every 50,000 miles or fewer. The good news is you do not need to take your car to the shop so regularly. Instead, learn how to clean EGR valve right in your own garage today.
The combustion occurred inside the engine’s combustion chamber generates exhaust and a lot of heat, which can exceed 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit. At such temperatures, different elements in the air-fuel mixture that is ignited inside the chamber are burned and produced nitrogen oxides, a substance harmful to human health and the environment.
During operation, the EGR valve allows a small amount of exhaust gases to recirculate back through the intake manifold and back into the combustion chambers.
When mixed with the air-fuel mixture inside the chamber, these recirculated exhaust will reduce the high temperatures during the combustion process. The lowered temperature serves to reduce the formation of poisonous nitrogen oxides.
In addition, by preventing overheating of the engine and reducing underhood temperature, the engine’s overall health and lifespan, plus all other underhood components, will be maximized.
Overtime, the recirculated exhaust builds up a hard and thick wall of carbon, messing with the EGR’s valve ability to open and close to control the gas flow. As a result, this impedes exhaust recirculation and therefore increases the temperature inside the chamber, leading to overheating and increasing nitrogen oxides emissions.
In detail, if the EGR valve is stuck open, a continuous flow of exhaust gases enters the cylinders, disrupting the combustion process. This will cause the engine to act like it wants to stall, idling roughly or surging.
If the valve is stuck closed passages become clogged, detonation could occur in the combustion chambers. This happens because the cylinders temperatures will increase, resulting in fuel ignites early before the planned combustion. In severe cases, strong detonations can seriously overheat and damage your engine.
Knowing how to clean EGR valve is a crucial step in solving these common engine problems.
You should check and clean your EGR valve if the following problems occur:
To avoid these headaches, clean the EGR valve and passages every 50,000 miles or ideally more regularly over the weekend at home. You only need a few common tools and a quality EGR valve cleaner.
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Safety first. Always make sure your car is parked on a flat and even surface. Begin by removing the cables on your car’s battery.
Depending on your car’s make and model, your engine may be using one of three common types of EGR valves. If unsure, check your user’s manual to determine the type of EGR valve you’re dealing with:
The EGR valve is most often found towards the top or side of the engine, sometimes obstructed by other components.Look around the side of the cylinder head, near the throttle body, firewall, or intake manifold.
If you don’t see it, go to your manufacturer’s website and enter your car’s make, model and engine size to search the exact location of the valve. Otherwise, consult the repair manual for your particular vehicle make and model. The manual will also include helpful information for EGR valve maintenance, including troubleshooting procedures, how to remove and replace EGR system components like the EGR sensor, vacuum hoses, and pipes.
Once you have dealt with carbon buildup, including cleaning the passages and sealing surface, you can put all the components back to where they originally belong, including the gasket. Use the correct torque to screw and tighten bolts. Replace the gaskets, then reconnect the vacuum hoses and pipes, and any electrical harnesses.
The last step of knowing how to clean EGR valve, which you should not skip, is testing whether your repair has worked. This is relatively straightforward.
After cleaning, the engine should idle smoothly. There should be no engine stalling or strange sounds, and no fuel smell from the underhood. Now you’ve pocketed pro tips on how to clean EGR valve, remember to clean your EGR valve regularly to avoid annoying engine problems and to maximize the lifespan of your engine.
