Chk Engine light... EGR?

[flyguy]

After getting a few check engine lights while crusin on the freeway... i went and bought a code reader... i got code 33 (I think!) which is EGR canister/valve not opening/functioning correctly. Whats up with that? I have no idea what to do... do I just replace my EGR valve? Im not even sure if my EGR system works... my temp sensor is unplugged because I have the KKM on there... the only new thing Ive added is my intake tube. Which I fashioned out of PVC. hehe. Is it possible I screwed something up by doing that? Or maybe I got PVC dust in my intake? Suggestions? comments?

nick

 

[Beertime9]

I had the same code and still get it once in a while, I replaced EGR, EGR sensor Soenoid and the FPE sensor, I know that the egr can only work when the temp sensor reads above 112 degrees so if your is unplugged it may want to open but the computer won't let it so it sends the code. I noticed when I replaced the egr there was a lot of carbon which probably could have been cleaned out instead of replacing it. Also look at the high temp rubber hoses that lead off the egr tube and run to the FPE sensor, they sometimes burn in two or get clogged. Thats all that I can tell you about the EGR system,

Don

 

[flyguy]

Ill give the hoses a look over... how much did the new sensors cost ya? I guess I can try plugging in my temp sensor... but Ive had the thing unplugged for a year or so with no problems... also... I wont swear this is right.. but I think every time I get the check engine light... I think Im flooring it... such as passing and what not... I dont know if that helps or not...

nick

 

[Beertime9]

That makes sense, because the egr only opens under load to help in the combustion of the engine andto hold the temp down in the combustion, the sensors cost about egr - 40, solenoid sensor 35, and the fpe 25.(check a thread under my name on the exact costs) Not having the temp sensor hooked up (the computer temp sensor) makes your engine run rich because the computer never sees 195 degrees. Are you sure you did not upglug just the guage temp sensor? there are two of them the computer one is on the drivers side of the guage sensor and has two wires running to it. I bet the egr is plugged with carbon, be careful if you clean it that you do not get carb cleaner on the diaphram it will destroy it. My egr was not bad, but I screwed with the solenoid and messed that up before I replaced the egr then I had to get a new solenoid but ended up getting the FPE sensor which read differential pressure in the egr tube, that was the one I should have done first. My son works at Ford and a mechanic said they stock the solenoid because people always screw them up, but it always ends up being the FPE. Egr is cleanable as long as the diaphram holds vaccumm, you can test this by prying off the little cap on the solenoid sensor and hold your finger ovewr the little rod sticking up, this will send vaccumm to the egr and open it up, it usally works in bypass mode(through the hole on the top) until the solenoid closes and pulls a vaccum on the egr

Good luck,
Don

 

[flyguy]

Hmm..maybe we are talking about diffrent things... I dont know what the sensor is acually called... thats prolly why! When I said temp sensor.. i was referring to the sensor that is normally in the air box that reads the temp of the air coming in... (I think thats what it does!) I thought it was EGR related. Anyways... the EGR valve is not expensive, so I guess Ill go ahead and replace it. Couldnt hurt.

nick

 

[Beertime9]

That one in the air box just opens up the flow from the manifold when the engine needs warm air, it does nothing for the computer, my is diconected too, try cleaning the egr first, it is pretty simple, plus it will save you 40 bucks. Those tubes from the egr tube are high temp silcone and are 25 bucks from ford, could not find them at NAPA. If you use vaccumm hoses they will melt. Check to make sure they are not plugged and also in the sensor it tends to plugs up with dookie where the hose attach.
By the way what king of mileage are getting??? mine is about 14-15 around town, just put in the correct t-stat hoping that will help.........................

Later

 

[flyguy]

last I checked I was getting 18 or so on the freeway. I cant test my city milage because I drive like an idiot. heh. I checked the price on the EGR valve from ford parts network and its only 28 bucks there... im gunna order one... and when Im installing it Ill check the hoses too.

nick