98 Protege - EGR problem? Code P0400

[choli0090]

Hi Folks,

My check engine light came on not that long ago & found out the issue (going to Autozone) was code P0400.

So we took off the egr & cleaned it out, reset the computer. Well about 2 week later (yesterday evening) in fact that light came back on, so I went back to the Zone to see if it was giving a different # & nope, it was giving the same # again.

I should add that I don't lose power on the freeway, the car doesn't die when its stopped (every once in a while it drop down to lets say 500 & feels like its going to for a couple of seconds & then it goes back up to 750 rpm) , & for the most part its idles smoothly at the 750 rpm (I think that is the line right before the 1 on the tac) & also doesn't die when I push in the clutch

So my question.. Is this more than likely the EGR valve itself or possibly the "boost sensor" & are there a couple other tests to try out?

The only thing I can think of & don't think was done was when we had the valve removed, that the holes from the engine side wasn't cleaned.

Thanks!!

 

[diabolicinc]

check this out

Run some SEAFOAM in your gas with a full tank of 93 octane, put some in your oil, (make sure your about ready to change it) and run it through a rubber tube that hooks up to a sensor thats connected in the back of the intake(you can take this tube off theres no clamps its very small). Have someone help you if you run this seafoam in the intake your car will stall out and die, keep pumping the gas to keep it running. for about 5 mins. then shut the car off, wait 20 mins then let it run. It will clean everything you couldnt imagine and refresh your car.Its a carbon eater, and your engine will thank you for it. I do this to my protege every 6000 miles and its worth it. i have 220,000 miles on mine and i still race it.

 

[choli0090]

Thanks for the response. I read this same process on a few other threads & it sounds like just about everyone likes this product. I did have another question, which was do you happen to know what auto stores would carry this (Napa, Auto Zone, Schucks, Action Autoparts, etc)? I looked a couple of store websites & they don't list as them carrying it

Also just to be clear from some of the instuctions I read...

1) Pour a full 16 oz bottle into the gas tank, when the tank is pretty much empty & fill it all the way with 93 octane aka Super Unleaded
2) Pour 1/2 of a 16 oz can into the same spot that you pour oil into
3) Suck up some thru the vaccume into the manifold, engine
4) Follow the process you described
5) Get oil change within the next 500 miles or better yet sometime within that tank of gas.

Thanks!!

Run some SEAFOAM in your gas with a full tank of 93 octane, put some in your oil, (make sure your about ready to change it).

 

[diabolicinc]

sea foam

You want to do this:

Put about 1/4 bottle in the oil before changing it....
Put about 1/4 in the gas with 93 octane FULL TANK....
Put 1/2 in the vacuum line that connects to a sensor in the back of the intake, it connects to some sensor piece its very small in diameter.

your car will smoke very badly and stall out badly but its the seam foam working, thats why you have to have another person pushing in on the gas to keep it from dying when going into the intake. once you have the 1/2 bottle in the intake wait 5 mins. then start your car again. and let it run until you see some awful white smoke exit your exhaust until its gone. This should help without replaceing the EGR valve it will clean the hell out of it.


you can get seafoam at wal mart or autozone. or advanced, pretty much anywhere. its a small white can with red lettering and it runs in my area for about 8.50-10.00 bucks a bottle

This process ive used for years to get my protege at 200,000 + and my car rans damn good.It cleans *everything* fuel, pistons, valves, you name it

if you have any problems talk back to me.

 

[choli0090]

Thanks for the response & clarification. I'm planning on looking for some of this stuff tomorrow & going up to my brothers to try this out.

By chance since this will be the first time doing something like this & my car has 175k miles on it, will there be anything that I'll notice?

You want to do this:

you can get seafoam at wal mart or autozone. or advanced, pretty much anywhere. its a small white can with red lettering and it runs in my area for about 8.50-10.00 bucks a bottle.

 

[diabolicinc]

the only thing that you will notice is that it will smoke like none other. but make sure you have someone holding the the throttle a little bit or the gas pedal. the hose i told you about is a vacuum line that runs into the intake but it hooks up to a boost sensor i think.you will see a gain in horsepower and a gain in stalling. but it will help out your car.