Thought I would share my experience cleaning my EGR valve today. I own a 2003 Protege 5.
How I decided it needed cleaning:
Last week my engine light came on. A day later while at a light my car starting idling really rough and almost seemed like it would stall. Then engine light went on, but the car didn't seem like it was running right.
Because I'm cheap I researched online and decided to buy an OBD reader. Found one at Canadian Tire for 60 dollars, was on sale from 150 (sale ends sept. 11 09).
Plugged the reader into my car and based on my previous research was not shocked when the code stated it was my EGR (P0401). I wanted to replace it but I can't find an EGR on a Sunday. So I decided to clean it.
I won't go through the steps to remove, clean, and replace, etc. since you can find that online, but here is some advice. I don't really work on my car that much, but know enough.
1) Intake HAS to come out... can't see how you can do it with it in the way. If you are big you might want to remove the battery as well. I didn't but it would have made things easier... and harder lol.
2) Though I used a magnet tray, the gasket fell down into my car and I couldn't see it. So watch out that gasket doesn't fall on you. Since I couldn't find the gasket, I cleaned and put the EGR back on, started the engine, rev'd it up and the gasket fell to the ground. I picked it up, took the EGR off again, then put the gasket in place and put back on. That was not cool!
3) Next time I'm getting a EGR code... I'm just buying a new one. This model is hard to clean. I put lots of carb cleaner into the valve and let it work its way in. My valve was stuck in the open position and continued to do so till I put enough cleaner in it. If you don't like working on your car (the EGR isn't exactly the easiest to take off) then if your going through this effort, have a new one ready. That is what I"m doing next time. If the valve could be cleaned better and easier then I would just clean them, but I think going the new route is best.
Once I was done I fired up my car and it just seemed to run smoother. I've taken it for a drive and it idles much better (it is at 700, is that too low?). Idling at a stop is very smooth. Barely feels like the engine is running. Overall performance seemed much better as well.
The tools I needed were:
1) Vice Grip (small)
2) Phillips Screw driver
3) 10mm socket
4) 12 mm socket (should have a 1/4" driver)
5) Magnet tray
When I took the EGR apart (the four screws that hold it together), I sprayed them with something to penetrate them. Then carefully used the vice grip to get the screws started. Didn't use the screwdriver till they were very lose. Did all that to avoid stripping them. When I put it back together, I used the vice grip again to tighten them, but not over doing it is important. Just nice and snug.
In total it took me 2 hours. I lost time by having to take the EGR off a second time due to the dropped gasket. The main thing is I took my time and had a lot of patience. i.e. Didn't get too worked up about dropping the gasket or other small annoyances. I also started this project at 4:20, so I don't know if that helped (upyours) lol. Use gloves and a long sleeve shirt!
EDIT: Next time I do this, I expect it to take less than 30 minutes. It isn't that hard as long as you have proper tools and patience. Plus I wouldn't be cleaning the EGR, just replacing it.
How I decided it needed cleaning:
Last week my engine light came on. A day later while at a light my car starting idling really rough and almost seemed like it would stall. Then engine light went on, but the car didn't seem like it was running right.
Because I'm cheap I researched online and decided to buy an OBD reader. Found one at Canadian Tire for 60 dollars, was on sale from 150 (sale ends sept. 11 09).
Plugged the reader into my car and based on my previous research was not shocked when the code stated it was my EGR (P0401). I wanted to replace it but I can't find an EGR on a Sunday. So I decided to clean it.
I won't go through the steps to remove, clean, and replace, etc. since you can find that online, but here is some advice. I don't really work on my car that much, but know enough.
1) Intake HAS to come out... can't see how you can do it with it in the way. If you are big you might want to remove the battery as well. I didn't but it would have made things easier... and harder lol.
2) Though I used a magnet tray, the gasket fell down into my car and I couldn't see it. So watch out that gasket doesn't fall on you. Since I couldn't find the gasket, I cleaned and put the EGR back on, started the engine, rev'd it up and the gasket fell to the ground. I picked it up, took the EGR off again, then put the gasket in place and put back on. That was not cool!
3) Next time I'm getting a EGR code... I'm just buying a new one. This model is hard to clean. I put lots of carb cleaner into the valve and let it work its way in. My valve was stuck in the open position and continued to do so till I put enough cleaner in it. If you don't like working on your car (the EGR isn't exactly the easiest to take off) then if your going through this effort, have a new one ready. That is what I"m doing next time. If the valve could be cleaned better and easier then I would just clean them, but I think going the new route is best.
Once I was done I fired up my car and it just seemed to run smoother. I've taken it for a drive and it idles much better (it is at 700, is that too low?). Idling at a stop is very smooth. Barely feels like the engine is running. Overall performance seemed much better as well.
The tools I needed were:
1) Vice Grip (small)
2) Phillips Screw driver
3) 10mm socket
4) 12 mm socket (should have a 1/4" driver)
5) Magnet tray
When I took the EGR apart (the four screws that hold it together), I sprayed them with something to penetrate them. Then carefully used the vice grip to get the screws started. Didn't use the screwdriver till they were very lose. Did all that to avoid stripping them. When I put it back together, I used the vice grip again to tighten them, but not over doing it is important. Just nice and snug.
In total it took me 2 hours. I lost time by having to take the EGR off a second time due to the dropped gasket. The main thing is I took my time and had a lot of patience. i.e. Didn't get too worked up about dropping the gasket or other small annoyances. I also started this project at 4:20, so I don't know if that helped (upyours) lol. Use gloves and a long sleeve shirt!
EDIT: Next time I do this, I expect it to take less than 30 minutes. It isn't that hard as long as you have proper tools and patience. Plus I wouldn't be cleaning the EGR, just replacing it.
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