Disabling EGR with SCT tuner

[KCPowerStroker]

I'm in the process of purchasing a SCT with custom tunes. I have stock EGR valve/cooler and part of the tuning will allow me to disable the egr valve. By doing this, am i effectively doing the same thing as an EGR delete kit? Do I still run the risk of a cooler rupture or other potential egr issues?

A couple of websites recommend to not do an actual egr delete but upgrade the cooler with their cooler and then use a tuner to disable the egr system thus leaving emissions equipment on the truck. Why cant I just use the tuner with stock cooler and accomplish the same thing?

Thanks!!

[Acidsniper]

The difference is, from my understanding, that the EGR Delete in the SCT tuners isn't a physical delete, it's basically tricking the truck's computer in to thinking the EGR is still there when you install a physicall EGR delete kit so that your truck won't put out a Check Engine Light for the EGR.

By doing just the SCT EGR delete you aren't fixing the problem and are just tricking the computer in to thinking the EGR is there and working fine, the EGR will still operate as normal (thus potential for problems later) without doing a physicall EGR delete kit.

That's my understanding at least.

[jmd4x4]

Depending on the tuner you use, they turn off the egr valve with the new program. So if you do not do a egr delete then yes will still have a chance of a cooler failure.

later
jmd

[KCPowerStroker]

I was thinking that the SCT would "lock" the valve closed thus no hot exhaust gases going through the cooler or atleast not into the intake. Am I wrong?

[colo_dually]

If the SCT programs the valve shut, excessive back pressure can still lift the valve and allow exhaust gas into the intake. The programming allows for the truck not to open the valve, but thats not a delete. The only way to prevent the failure of the EGR cooler, is a physical delete, or an upgrade to the unit from Bullet-Proof Diesel. When you delete the cooler, the SCT prevents the programming from looking for flow rate through the cooler, and throwing the CEL.

[Lilpooh]

Originally Posted by KCPowerStroker

I was thinking that the SCT would "lock" the valve closed thus no hot exhaust gases going through the cooler or atleast not into the intake. Am I wrong?

Yes and no, by turning off the EGR valve it prevents the valve from opening, but there are two things. If the spring in the valve is weak then there is a chance of the valve blowing open under boost conditions, and the other is if you take a look at a EGR valve, it has two valves to seat. Usually the bottom valve doesn't seat all the way leaving about .002"-.005" gap at the seat that can let coolant enter the intake, thus taking a chance of lifting the head when the piston try's to compress the liquid.

[NebularChameleon]

So...I got a BPD EGR cooler and an STC, but I will still be sucking exhaust. Great. Wanted an option that was easy to change back for the yearly emissions inspections. Looking to install a turbo back exhaust and I am wondering if I wasted my money on a cooler when I should have just gotten a delete.

[colo_dually]

You didn't waste your money, you will have exhaust recirculation through your cooler but its the same thing I will be doing to my truck. If you have the emissions inspections where they test the exhaust, you will have to have a funtional cooler. The BPD system will prevent coolant from going into your intake, and I haven't seen or heard about one failing yet.

One last thing to consider, the EGR cooler is a Federally mandated piece of emissions equipment on these trucks. Deletes are marketed as Off-Road use only.