success at last, EGR removal!

[BigRobRN]

First time poster, been lurking for a while.
Greetings from Baton Rouge, LA.

I recently purchased a 2006 F250 SD with the 6.0 After reading the horror stories some are having with the EGR, etc, I became worried I was having troubles.
Within the first week I changed the oil, oil filter, two fuel filters, rear diff fluid, completely flushed the radiator and engine block, and a few other minor things. What can I say, I'm a maintenance freak. I've got the internal and external transmission filters on the way. I have learned many things about the particulars on this truck from this site, i.e. the Zerex coolant, Mercon SP.

Well, I changed out the two fuel filters and then started to see white smoke. I was horrified b/c I don't have a tuner or programmer, but the truck did come with an S&B cold air kit and a 4" turbo back pipe. I remember reading in the fuel filter box literature that changing the fuel filters may cause the truck to smoke a bit, but I guess I forgot. The smoke actually only lasted a day or so.

I immediately suspected EGR or coolant probs and began the process of removing it. Well, I tried with nylon rope, wire, coat hanger wire, broom stick, etc all to NO AVAIL. I busted my knuckles on everything in site and spent several days trying to tackle the job.

I finally screwed my head on right and went to my local Harbor Freight and for 4 dollars I bought 2 12" rolling head prybars and the removal took less than 5 minutes. I felt like taking the two prybars and smacking my head a few times with them.

My advice for anyone is, get the prybars and take it out when its warm.
The EGR was completely dry, pretty dirty but probably normal for its first cleaning at 84K miles. I cleaned it up with carb cleaner using my wife's toothbrush and replaced the gasket and two O-rings with the appropriate Ford part.
No CEL, no codes, clear carfax and oasis (other than 2 injectors).
I love my truck. Will post a picture soon.

[JBakerFX4]

That's some good pics bud. Nice info. thanks.

[lawman349]

Originally Posted by BigRobRN

I cleaned it up with carb cleaner using my wife's toothbrush ...

Welcome to the .org!!

Thanks for the advice on the prybars, I think mine has a cleaning coming since it has 114K on the odo and I doubt it's ever been cleaned.

I think I will avoid the wife's toothbrush. Lord knows what she'd do to MINE to get even...

[Diesel Freak]

Your EGR Valve looked pretty clean for the mileage.
I hope you replaced the wifes toothbrush with a new one.

[dayusex]

i wonder how to clean out all that crap that you see when you look inside where the EGR is removed

[Tyler]

What in the hell were you thinking using her toothbrush?! Great you made a post, but your a dead man lol

[Slick02]

When I had 6.0s my EGR valve didn't look that good at 15000 miles, of course I ran programmers. Mine would turn the light on every 12 to 15 thousand miles religously with the programmer.

[Evil Eye]

Thanks for the advice on the 2 prybar method! I know many of our newer members really struggle with their EGR removal. Congrats on getting it done and hopefully your wife doesn't notice her "slightly used" toothbrush!!!

Originally Posted by dayusex

i wonder how to clean out all that crap that you see when you look inside where the EGR is removed

The only way is to remove the intake manifold... you may thank the EPA for the carbon deposits!

PS. It won't really hurt anything, although if it gets too bad, it may slightly change your airflow.

[POWERED SPARKLESS]

Originally Posted by dayusex

i wonder how to clean out all that crap that you see when you look inside where the EGR is removed

I used a wire brush then stuck my shop vac down the hole to get everything.

[dayusex]

can you spray like carb cleaner in there??