P1404 CEL tonight...

[etlsport]

its pretty cheap and easy to clean the egr.. i think the gasket i ordered from merlin was like 8 bucks.. and turned out to really not need it.. but i replaced it since i had it anyway..

i had an EGR related CEL last month.... it was easy enough to clean...

disconnected wires on top (one plug)

used socket w/ extension to remove two bolts (one is easily visible, the other mirrors that but its hard to see)

lift top part of EGR valve off and set aside upside down filled with sensor safe carb cleaner

plug the larger of the two holes now exposed in your engine bay

start the vx

spray carb cleaner into the remaining (smaller) hole a whole lot until you run out of carb cleaner or get really bored.. just take care not to stall the vx..

dump the carb cleaner out of the half of the EGR you removed.. spray it down a couple more times to get anything broken loose out

put your egr back (dont forget to unplug the hole)

bolt it in place

be sure to wash your hands before touching your leather steering wheel

[nfpgasmask]

Is it worth it to buy a whole new EGR valve or is cleaning it just as good?

Thanks, E!

Bart

[rowhard]

Bart, just did a search with NAPA: Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Valve CRB 226335 $194.00. For that kind of money, think I would try the cleaning first. And if that doesn't cure the problem, well, the next time you have to remove the valve to replace it, it will be easier. Do use a new gasket or gasket material and a ball peen-hammer if you know that trick to making your own.

[HeckaTrebeka]

its pretty cheap and easy to clean the egr.. i think the gasket i ordered from merlin was like 8 bucks.. and turned out to really not need it.. but i replaced it since i had it anyway..

i had an EGR related CEL last month.... it was easy enough to clean...

disconnected wires on top (one plug)

used socket w/ extension to remove two bolts (one is easily visible, the other mirrors that but its hard to see)

lift top part of EGR valve off and set aside upside down filled with sensor safe carb cleaner

plug the larger of the two holes now exposed in your engine bay

start the vx

spray carb cleaner into the remaining (smaller) hole a whole lot until you run out of carb cleaner or get really bored.. just take care not to stall the vx..

dump the carb cleaner out of the half of the EGR you removed.. spray it down a couple more times to get anything broken loose out

put your egr back (dont forget to unplug the hole)

bolt it in place

be sure to wash your hands before touching your leather steering wheel

I just did this yesterday and cleared up my P0401 code! Thanks for the super easy fix! My mechanic was going to charge me $385 to replace it. I asked him if it could be cleaned and he said no because it has electrical parts in it and it would be ruined. I knew there was a fix around these forums somewhere, and after checking, am so glad I saw this simple fix.

[tom4bren]

While you are at it, take the time to pull all of your spark plugs & check the gap. When I cleaned the EGR on Boy's VX, it was clean but I found the gap on all plugs were at 50/1000 or more. I'm guessing that if it continued to run that way, it would probably have fouled the EGR eventually.

The PCV was completely clogged on it too. That can also lead to EGR fouling over time.

One last thing to check if your EGR keeps fouling is the CAT. Take it in to a Midas shop (or similar) & have them check your exhaust system. Too much back pressure will also clog the EGR over time.