Egr trouble

[MDmounty]

I've had an egr recirculation problem for about a year now and today I finally looked at my hoses coming off the pipe and they were all torn up. So I pulled them off to go to auto zone to get replacement hoses so I cleared my code out and drove there and back and the light never came back on but both hoses going to the switch were completely off. Should I be replacing that switch also or should I just throw the new hoses in and keep truckin? Thanks for any help

 

[Turdle]

I would replace the hoses and see what happens.

chances are the old hoses were just blown out

 

[MDmounty]

I put new hoses on and drove for a bit and the code came back its p401 egr flow insufficient should I go ahead and get a new sensor?

 

[Turdle]

Hmm. You might try a new DPFE. However, first I would see if the egr valve operates. With the engine running, apply vacuum to the egr valve and see if the idle sound changes. If it starts sounding different, kinda like the engine is stumbling, it is opening fine.

Also, check that the egr tube or manifold is not cracked, as leaking exhaust might also cause a low EGR flow code. Oh, as a double check, make sure both egr hoses are still attached. Sometimes a clogged exhaust can make them blow off under hard acceleration.


The DPFE senses a difference in the egr tube pressure. If no pressure is present in the tube due to an exhaust leak, or if a CAT is clogged, there may be no pressure differential to report when the PCM requests it, and the 401 code will pop up.

 

[MDmounty]

How would I apply vacuum to the valve?

 

[crunchie_frog]

Well, you could go buy an electric vacuum pump ( $100+), you could buy manual vacuum pump ($25), OR you could just connect a hose to the EGR and suck... we all sell our bodies one way or another. I have an electric vacuum pump and I just choose the suck method. By the way, the most likely cause is a bad DPFE sensor as Turdle said...

 

[Turdle]

Pretend the hose is a straw. I didn't want to be he guy who said "suck on it" but that is what I would do also.

 

[1998Exp]

Pretend the hose is a straw. I didn't want to be he guy who said "suck on it" but that is what I would do also.

If it were me, I'd rather spend the $25 than inhale the junk in an exhaust tube. Not to mention that a vacuum pump is actually a useful gadget -- some even bleed brakes with it...

 

[boominXplorer]

You could always fix that with an sct sf3 tuner or newer. Just check the box for disable EGR, select fuel octane and tune. Then enjoy your new found 8 HP also. Just my $.02

 

[Turdle]

If it were me, I'd rather spend the $25 than inhale the junk in an exhaust tube. Not to mention that a vacuum pump is actually a useful gadget -- some even bleed brakes with it...

Nonsense. There is absolutely no exhaust fumes in the vacuum system, or on the other side of the egr diaphragm. If the diaphragm were blown out and passing exhuast, you'd obviously hear it when you pulled the vacuum line. Applying human vacuum is perfectly fine in this situation.

 

[Shanemm]

You could always fix that with an sct sf3 tuner or newer. Just check the box for disable EGR, select fuel octane and tune. Then enjoy your new found 8 HP also. Just my $.02

Would this really work? I've already put 130 into all new egr parts and it's still not working. I don't even know where to go from here.

 

[MDmounty]

Sweet thanks everyone I'll try sucking on the hoses if my new sensor doesn't work lol

 

[boominXplorer]

Would this really work? I've already put 130 into all new egr parts and it's still not working. I don't even know where to go from here.

Yes. I don't even have a dpfe or egr solenoid plugged in and have no check engine light. Some have Ill thoughts to ditching egr but I'm all about it.

 

[1998Exp]

Nonsense. There is absolutely no exhaust fumes in the vacuum system, or on the other side of the egr diaphragm. If the diaphragm were blown out and passing exhuast, you'd obviously hear it when you pulled the vacuum line. Applying human vacuum is perfectly fine in this situation.

Me bad; of course there is no exhaust fumes there! Still, in the O/P's place I would rather spend the $25 than inhale whatever stink is in that 16-year old EGR diaphragm and vacuum tube...

 

[Turdle]

Yes. I don't even have a dpfe or egr solenoid plugged in and have no check engine light. Some have Ill thoughts to ditching egr but I'm all about it.

Can he get away with not fixing the EGR in California?

 

[Shanemm]

Can he get away with not fixing the EGR in California?

Maybe after I pass smog but, that can't happen until this is fixed

 

[boominXplorer]

Can he get away with not fixing the EGR in California?

Honestly if the system is still present and no codes come up then I would assume it would pass. It's all about how clean the engine runs and how much the egr does effect results.

In my situation I have a block off plate and 2 plugs hanging behind the intake, they would kick me right back out the door.