How To: EGR Removal and Cleaning for Rough Idle Fix

[Kansei]

On Step 7, what is the PCM and how will you reset it?

Also, what is IAC and how to clean it?

The PCM is just the term used for the onboard computer. You can reset it by disconnecting the negative terminal on the battery for a while, then going in the car, hitting the brakes a couple times to make sure the system is discharged. Then reconnect it. Word of warning: If you have the factory alarm system (i.e. when you press the panic button the horn freaks out, doesn't just beep in a pattern), it may re-arm right when you connect the battery. Have your remote handy in case you set off the shock sensor (in the case of the P5).

The IAC is on top of the throttle body. It's basically where the EGR is but on top of the throttle body instead of under stuff. You'll need a special torx bit (a security torx bit) to open it up to clean it. I haven't cleaned mine yet, doing just the EGR was enough any time I had rough idle.

 

[protegeric]

T25 tamper-proof torx bit, u can get a nice set of tamper proof torx bits for a reasonable $ at Sears.
IAC: http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1797962&postcount=97
Theres a little white piece of plastic on the end of the spring on the IAC. DONT LOOSE IT!

The PCM is just the term used for the onboard computer. You can reset it by disconnecting the negative terminal on the battery for a while, then going in the car, hitting the brakes a couple times to make sure the system is discharged. Then reconnect it. Word of warning: If you have the factory alarm system (i.e. when you press the panic button the horn freaks out, doesn't just beep in a pattern), it may re-arm right when you connect the battery. Have your remote handy in case you set off the shock sensor (in the case of the P5).

The IAC is on top of the throttle body. It's basically where the EGR is but on top of the throttle body instead of under stuff. You'll need a special torx bit (a security torx bit) to open it up to clean it. I haven't cleaned mine yet, doing just the EGR was enough any time I had rough idle.

 

[jeswin12]

Thanks for the tips my friend

 

[sephiroth]

just cleaned my EGR today on my ATX 1.8L.. getting the first 12mm bolt off wasen't too hard, but MAN that second one was a frecking nightmare. There was some sort of vacc line that was in my way, and I couldn't get to the second bolt with a socket wrench because it had a holding piece that was attached to the rear engine mount that didn't give me enough room. So I had to use about 4 different posistions with a regular wrench to remove it and to screw it back on. Took me the whole of 2hours to do. There was enough carbon build up to the point that I just had to lightly tap on it for the stuff to come crumbling out. Test drove it and things seemed much better than previsouly. It acutaly stalled out of no-where today, so I decided this was over-due.

 

[mzdalvr]

Hi

I just did this to mine but I have a question that I can't seem to find the answer to. The metal gasket that is inserted between the TB and the EGR has a slight indentation to it on one side. Does anyone know which side the indentation shoulld go? I think I put mine on correctly otherwise I would have gotten and EGR CEL due to a leak - is that correct?

Thanks.

 

[mgt3]

Works really well thanks

 

[mzdalvr]

Hi

I just did this to mine but I have a question that I can't seem to find the answer to. The metal gasket that is inserted between the TB and the EGR has a slight indentation to it on one side. Does anyone know which side the indentation shoulld go? I think I put mine on correctly otherwise I would have gotten and EGR CEL due to a leak - is that correct?

Thanks.

BUMP!

 

[Kansei]

I thought it only fit on one way.. or on the EGR there was something that in a way indicated which was the correct way to put it. You'd know if your EGR valve was leaking.. your idle would be rough again. Mine was worse than it was before I cleaned it when I forgot to put the gasket back on.

 

[cm6501]

you are my ******* hero! time to go clean mine (drive)

You are also my ******* hero!

 

[122 Vega]

Wow - Haven't looked at this thread in a long time...25 pages... and it seems that it has helped quite a few people, I'm glad for that, although I see that Mazda has finally released a TSB for the EGR now. I hate them... Well, doing this every few months certainly is better than taking it to the dealer! Since I got my DSM AFC 2 in and tuned, my EGR has stayed a bit cleaner than before. no more of Mazda's 8.5:1 AFR!

Britt

 

[671_p5]

Wow - Haven't looked at this thread in a long time...25 pages... and it seems that it has helped quite a few people, I'm glad for that, although I see that Mazda has finally released a TSB for the EGR now. I hate them... Well, doing this every few months certainly is better than taking it to the dealer! Since I got my DSM AFC 2 in and tuned, my EGR has stayed a bit cleaner than before. no more of Mazda's 8.5:1 AFR!

Britt

Do you have a link to this tsb? And is it only for the msp or the protege 5 as well?

 

[Tzar177]

well i took off the egr and iac. did the cleaning....used gumout carb cleaner. bolted/plugged everything back up. On initial startup, the idle was wonderful. Giving that, i still decided to run some seafoam thru the booster line. I let it suck up about 3/4 the can then i shut the engine off. I let that sit for 10min or so. Started the car back up and now it idled rough again...prolly cuz of the seafoam in the system. I waited for the car to warm to norm temp then i took it for a spin on the highway for 10-15min...of course i had white smoke coming out. Took it home and parked....started it up the next day and i still have rough idle. Any ideas here?

 

[xelderx]

well i took off the egr and iac. did the cleaning....used gumout carb cleaner. bolted/plugged everything back up. On initial startup, the idle was wonderful. Giving that, i still decided to run some seafoam thru the booster line. I let it suck up about 3/4 the can then i shut the engine off. I let that sit for 10min or so. Started the car back up and now it idled rough again...prolly cuz of the seafoam in the system. I waited for the car to warm to norm temp then i took it for a spin on the highway for 10-15min...of course i had white smoke coming out. Took it home and parked....started it up the next day and i still have rough idle. Any ideas here?

Mine is doing the same thing. I'm going to change the plugs out and see if that fixes it. If that isn't it I'll try plug wires and or coils. I should probably take a look at the fuel filter too.

 

[02PROTEGE2.0]

Mine is doing the same thing. I'm going to change the plugs out and see if that fixes it. If that isn't it I'll try plug wires and or coils. I should probably take a look at the fuel filter too.

if u did seafoam you HAVE TO change the oil right after its run through the system and ur exhaust starts coming clean. very important.

its good to do seafoam right before and oil change along with new plugs, new/cleaned airfilter etc.

basically what im getting at is having any seafoam in the system for a long period of time is bad... get it out of there ASAP.

 

[xelderx]

if u did seafoam you HAVE TO change the oil right after its run through the system and ur exhaust starts coming clean. very important.

its good to do seafoam right before and oil change along with new plugs, new/cleaned airfilter etc.

basically what im getting at is having any seafoam in the system for a long period of time is bad... get it out of there ASAP.

I did change my oil after the Seafoam. I've swapped motors since I did the Seafoam.

 

[Tzar177]

wont be able to change oil til wednesday, i ordered a K & N filter.

 

[Tzar177]

Mine is doing the same thing. I'm going to change the plugs out and see if that fixes it. If that isn't it I'll try plug wires and or coils. I
should probably take a look at the fuel filter too.

I've already recently changed the plugs and wires, not coils tho. Where is the fuel filter located? maybe i should check mine....

 

[xelderx]

I found my problem today. I have a blown intake manifold gasket. I started spraying carb cleaner around the intake manifold and found it.

 

[Kansei]

I found my problem today. I have a blown intake manifold gasket. I started spraying carb cleaner around the intake manifold and found it.

I've heard that's actually a pretty common issue on these cars as they get higher mileage. I'll have to replace mine soon I'm sure.. they weren't looking too "fresh" when I had my intake manifold apart when I was at 76k miles

 

[gone_fishin]

I've heard that's actually a pretty common issue on these cars as they get higher mileage. I'll have to replace mine soon I'm sure.. they weren't looking too "fresh" when I had my intake manifold apart when I was at 76k miles

hit me up when you do kansei, I'm in the middle of that right now, and I'm sure I'll have plenty of little pearls of wisdom to share.