egr delete vs smog inspection

[brokenarrow]

hi yall, im wanting to install a sinister egr delete kit on my 05' f350, i live in a county that requires a smog test every year, i have been told that if i get the egr delete i wont pass the visual inspection, wich i found odd, i have never had to pop the hood on any past smog test they just pluger in and call it good. take in mind this is a guy that works at a shop who is trying to sell me his egr delete that will saposably pass a smog test... my question is if i do have a visual inspection done how will they tell if i have a egr delete? i have herd i can keep my egr valve in place in stead of a block of cap,, what eles would give away that i am running a delete? other then the shinny pipe behind the engine i figured evreything would be hiddin enough...

[rady2000]

I'm curious about this too. Got a buddy who's due for an oil cooler and EGR cooler. Weighing the pros and cons of the EGR delete...

[brokenarrow]

i figured if worst comes to worst i can always keep my old egr stuff and install and re install the delete to pass smog. at least ill get good at it after a few years.

[brokenarrow]

i have been looking at this for a while and i have heard nothing but pros only con is passing smog,

[howell_jd]

There are EGR deletes that will pass a visual inspection. Any EGR cooler where the exhaust gas passages are welded shut will pass a visual inspection. A weld at the up-pipe will also elminate exhaust gas entry to the EGR cooler (leaving the stock EGR cooler intact). Both of these situations may induce an "insufficient EGR flow" (P0401) diagnostic trouble code which will invalidate a smog test conducted via the OBDII port unless the code is not set (perhaps by programming or careful timing of clearing all codes...I don't know).

If you live in a smog testing state/county and the typical method of inspection has been computer-driven, then an EGR delete is not a great idea. There are superior EGR coolers that do not have the tendency to failure even when with oil cooler restriction - the BulletProofDiesel EGR cooler is superb. The consequences of a smog-test failure could be significant - only you are capable of assessing your willingness to deal with that bureaucracy. There could be alternative testing sites that only perform a visual inspection in which case a visual-compliant EGR delete would provide a "pass" but in those locations making smog-tests now the likelihood is more rigorous testing not less.

Installation of an EGR delete technically is an emissions system modification rendering the vehicle non-compliant for on-the-road use (unless waiverable for Farm use or some other exclusion) and if sold without identification of this modification could be a liability. The same is true for deletion of the catalytic converter although a hollowed-out core will not set any codes (but a "sniff test" for NOx may also catch the deletion). Opacity checks also are used in places to determine excessive fueling conditions.

Check your local requirements for the consequences of smog-test failure to assess how comfortable you are with deletion before you commit to a course of action.

Jonathan