Does cleaning the EGR really help?

[tech10002]

I pulled my EGR yesterday and cleaned it. It had probably 1/8" of carbon build up on it, but I have to wonder if it really did any good. I had a really hard time getting it out and back in. In fact, I ended up using the bolts to pull the thing back down because it never would push back into the hole no matter how much force I used. In the process of trying to install it, I pulled it back out a couple times, and all the carbon in the hole just got all over it again. What's the point of cleaning it if it just gets carbon all over it again as soon as you put it back in?

Is there something we should be doing to get all the carbon out of the EGR passages? And what would be safe to use?

[Logan]

yeah, run the dog piss out of it. that will help blow all the extra build up out of it. Try that and see how it does.

[tech10002]

LOL I already do that to the tune of about 13 MPG average. I don't know if I can afford to run it any harder. I'm getting ready to get an exhaust and probably water/meth, so I'll be able to really run it hard then. All that carbon in the EGR passages really concerns me.

[Logan]

Yeah, I just got a new EGR and Scott and jon said to run the poo out of it for a little bit. Also, you may want to pull the tune off of it. If they EGR is programmed closed, it wont do any good. So take the tune off, run it good and see what happens. Was there more crud on one side of the valve than the other?

[Betaracer]

You need to vacuum as much crap out as you can while the valve is out. A little duct tape and a drinking straw to modify the vacuum cleaner hose end helps

[Logan]

Good tip Juls