How do you tell if your EGR valve needs to be cleaned or replaced?

What are the symptoms of a failing EGR valve?

1. Your engine has a rough idle.
2. Your car has poor performance.
3. You have increased fuel consumption.
4. Your car frequently stalls when idling.
5. You can smell fuel.
6. Your engine management light stays on.
7. Your car produces more emissions.
8. You hear knocking noises coming from the engine.

Can a car run with a bad EGR valve?

Can I drive with a bad EGR valve? Technically, you can drive your vehicle with a bad EGR valve, but your vehicle will run rough, shake at idle, and a check engine light will be illuminated.

How long does it take to replace EGR valve?

How long does an EGR valve replacement take? Looking once again at the averages delivered by our data, an EGR valve replacement should take around 3/4 of an hour. Take a look at a few of our findings; you’ll see some comparable times for how long the job can take for different makes and models.

When to replace or clean the EGR valve?

Or, the EGR position sensor can fail, causing a check engine light. If your car is running fine at idle and you don’t have a check engine light, there’s no need to replace or clean an EGR valve. Some shops recommend periodic cleaning. I think that’s a waste of money.

Can a faulty EGR valve cause your car to stall?

It may feel as though it is about to stall, it can stumble, and even shake. If you have tried to pass an emissions test recently, only to have your vehicle fail, that can be due to a faulty EGR valve. Once it is replaced, you should be able to pass the test. Your Check Engine Light may come on since the engine is not operating as it should.

How does an exhaust gas recirculation ( EGR ) valve work?

This little valve is responsible for single-handily bringing down the amount of exhaust emissions your car expels from the tailpipe into the atmosphere. The valve makes it possible to recirculate the engine gasses by putting them back into the intake manifold.

Is there a position sensor on an EGR valve?

Vacuum controlled valves don’t have a position sensor to monitor how much the pintle actually opened or closed compared to how much the engine computer wanted it to open or close. When car makers converted over to electrically operated EGR valves, they installed position sensors to get feedback as to actual versus commanded position.

How do you replace or clean an EGR valve?

To Clean An Electronic EGR Valve Disconnect the negative battery cable. Disengage and remove any sensors and electrical connections along with any hoses. Loosen the bolts to remove the EGR valve and gasket. Check the hoses and gasket for wear, to replace or reuse.

How difficult is it to replace the EGR valve?

How hard is it to change an EGR valve? In most models, replacing an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve is not difficult. You can do it in your garage in about an hour or two, depending on your particular system, using some common tools and a good solvent like carburetor cleaner.

How often does an EGR valve need replacing?

EGR valves rarely require maintenance or repair and they also rarely need to be replaced. An EGR valve can sometimes become clogged, however, with carbon deposits, resulting in a valve that sticks or does not close completely.

Does your EGR valve need replacing?

If there is a mechanical problem with your EGR valve, then you’re going to need to replace the part with a new one . Fortunately, there is an alternative to actually going out and buying a brand-new valve. In many cases the problem with your EGR valve isn’t that it’s broken, it’s that it’s so dirty and clogged it can’t function properly.