EGR Valve Question

[nharmswhey]

I took my egr valve off today and it was NASTY. It had about a 1/2 " of build up on the tip. Cleaned it really well and put it back on. Now its blowing a lil black smoke on acceleration. Is that normal Or did i screw something up somehow?

[bismic]

What did you clean it with - hopefully carb cleaner? Were the o-rings in good shape? Did you re-use the old o-rings or use new ones? Were you careful to keep the cleaning fluid out of the actuator weepholes? Did you check to see if the spring felt like it had good strength left in it?

[nharmswhey]

Cleaned up with Carb Cleaner, Made sure and kept it out of the holes and everything felt right going back in. Thats why im questioning it.

[bismic]

Doesn't sound like you messed anything up. The EGR valve could always be bad though. Hard to tell by just looking at it. Did you attempt to vacuum out the intake (at least what you could get to)? If so, you will always leave some of the carbon in their (and lossened up also). This could probably cause a little smoking on startup.

I bet you are fine.

[dragon93308]

what would happen if you cleaned it with brake cleaner?

[bismic]

There are seals on the shaft (in addition to the o-rings on the valve). The seals protect the actuator. Brake fluid will soften these seals, carb cleaner will not. It may or may not be much of a problem - it is just better to follow Ford's advice when it doesn't cost you anything.