5.0 Mustangs Tech Forum

89gteddie · 07-31-2003

my car is throwing the code of a faulty egr and I talked to a local ford guy and he said that when ever some one brings a car in for one he just takes it off and cleans it and i was hoping that you guys could explain more about all of this. and could that make my car run really crappy. i just though it was to reduce emissions and didnt think it could hurt the driveability

Fordgazm · 07-31-2003

just pull it off and youll see what to clean . just be sure to get a new egr gasket .

FoxChassis · 07-31-2003

What EXACTLY was/were the service fault(s) returned? Service fault codes for the EGR system can be caused by vacuum leaks, a faulty EVP sensor or EVR solenoid, or the EGR valve itself sticking (open or closed) or not opening or closing fully (due to the same reason it would be sticking - carbon buildup). If you're automatically looking at the EGR valve without testing the entire circuit (a VOM and vacuum pump are two tools required - do you have them in your toolbox??) you could be wasting some serious coin.

Sometimes EGR valves will work properly once they are cleaned-out. Sometimes they will not. It's a crap-shoot. Be prepared to fork over the coin for a new one, IF that's really what the problem is.

Fordgazm · 08-01-2003

to clean it will only cost a few dollars for the gasket . But yeah the egr is like 80 bucks and the motor is somewhere around 40

red94stanggt · 08-01-2003

I recently got my car checked out bacause of that all dreaded "check engine light". As above mentioned just buy a gasket and remove the egr and clean out the carbon....i think carb cleaner is safe on it but i'm not sure so i would check first....btw a egr is only about 70 bucks for the valve

89gteddie · 08-01-2003

yeah the guy i talked to said take it off and spray some carb cleaner up their and then tap the pin that sticks out on a surface and it should slide up and down and knock out the carbon. he forgot to say anything about the gasket. could this little part be causing my car to run crappy.

red94stanggt · 08-01-2003

What kind of performance loss are you experiencing...most of the time if it affects anything it's cold weather starting...that is if it gets stuck open the car will stall but i'm not sure about overall performance....

maxxxxd · 08-03-2003

I would use Parts Wash, instead of Carb Cleaner, since it doesn't leave a residue, which could cause you problems again in the near future.