first off there arent any dumb question on this site, second cleaning the egr is a temporary fix , it doesnt last , the best way to repair it correctly is to replace it, we dont even clean them thru ford now, if you think yours is clogged get the codes puled and see if it has any codes in it

 

I cleaned mine once at 40k miles... 85k on it now and still no issues.
The best way to deal with it is to disable it.
Get a dummy valve and plug it in and lay it on top of the engine, this will fool the computer and disable the egr at the same time.

But to address your original question, if your truck runs poorely - lots of black smoke and lack of power, this will likely be cause by a stuck egr valve. Codes will show it also.

 

But to address your original question, if your truck runs poorely - lots of black smoke and lack of power, this will likely be cause by a stuck egr valve. Codes will show it also.

thanks! guess i don't have to worry about it yet...just the white smoke and coolant puking :hehe:

 

Cant you just pull it out and look at it? That what I did and mine was covered in gunk. 1 can of carb cleaner and it was shining new.

 

EGR cooler is a likely cause...

 

Can you just "pull" it out and clean it?
Does it require a special tool?
How expensive is it to purchase a new one and put it in?

Just curious....

Thanks!

Russell:dunno:

 

i have probably diagnosed and replaced 500 + egr valves , we tried cleaning them for awhile , it is a very temporary fix for the most part , yes you may pull it out and clean it and you may get by for awhile , there are some im sure have lasted for a good while , but for the 90% that dont last hardly any time after cleaning , if you want the truck fixed right , then it needs to be replaced

 

I'm not sure what an EGR valve costs now. 175+ for sure. You can remove it with a ladies foot crowbar. Remove the two bolts, twist it slightly for clearance and pry up. Depending on how much gunk is on it depends on how much force is required to remove it. DO NOT USE BRAKE CLEANER on the EGR valve--use CARB cleaner. Replace the o-rings and reinstall.

Like Scuffy828 said--Ford only replaces them now. The new ones are stronger to overcome the carbon buildup, but for us financially embarassed folks it's carb cleaner until a better day.

 

but for us financially embarassed folks it's carb cleaner until a better day.

so you can buy performance parts but not buy an egr valve , i call BS Tim,
this is me your talkin to , you might fool the rest of them :hehe:

 

OK--I'm busted (in more ways than one), but mines welded shut anyway. Yes, I know it's a VERY temporary fix and to fix it properly it should be replaced. You can buy them on Ebay but you MUST make sure you aren't buying obsolete parts. There are dealerships that sell them for about 200 online.

 

are the EGR valves only for Ford direct or do others sell them? i.e. - autozone...?

I don't know if I'm over-thinking this, but it seems to make sense to me that if the EGR has been a common problem spot; why can't you replace it every 75K or 100K and do a little preventive maintenance?

Thanks for the info.

Russell

 

Before I got my SCT tuning to turn off the EGR valve, I cleaned my valve 4 times in 24,000 miles. The first time at 10K, then 18K then the last time shortly before 24k. Every time it got to be less miles before it needed it again. I probably should have it replaced, but it hasn't caused any issues since the tuning.

The EGR system seems to be the second biggest downfall to the 6.0 with the head bolts being the biggest. Elimination of the EGR system is probably the best thing you can do to these trucks to ensure reliability and longevity.

To answer your original question, my truck would always start belching smoke on takeoff when the valve was gunked up. It would sometimes have issues with surging as well.

 

How many miles have you driven with the EGR turned off by tuning? I have been warned that if you run it off for a period of time you will have issues when you program back to stock and the EGR starts working again.

I am on the fence about having a tune turn it off as I don't want to have a problem when taking it to the dealer and the EGR is back on. Since its truly not blocked off, I would assume it runs bad due to all the coking the valve recieved when turned off?? :crazy:

 

Check this post out . You can decide if your up to replacing or cleaning yourself by looking at the procedure.
http://www.forddoctorsdts.com/articles/article-06-12.php

 

Check this post out . You can decide if your up to replacing or cleaning yourself by looking at the procedure.
FDDTS - 6.0L EGR Valve Cleaning

that article was based off of the Ford TSB that had us cleaning them. That TSB has since been lifted because cleaning the valves didnt work. Ford did that to try to save on costs by paying us a little labor to not have to pay for the part...but the found out that because 90% of the cleaned ones came back...it was actually more cost effective just to replace them...:thumb:

 

EGR valves are over $300 if i remember right... and cleaning them never ends up working permanently...

 

ok; so replacing the EGR is obviously the better of the two choices. Can you buy the two o-rings and base gasket seperate? does the local auto-zone carry these parts?

Thanks!

 

you can buy the gasket kit seperate , but i would about bet its a dealer item

 

Actually I like the welded idea Tim. With the EGR turned off through tuning, why take a chance on a weak valve over pressuring your EGR cooler? I know I saw someone offers a dummy valve somewhere that goes in place of the valve and is solid to block everything both ways.

 

ok, so please continue to educate me (the retard).... is there such thing as a dummy valve? can you really weld them shut? what part would you weld?????

Thanks guys.

 

Scott is correct. If you don't have your EGR cooler blocked from exhaust then DON"T disable the EGR valve. The cooler will heat soak and fail. It could also potentially cause higher coolant temps since the EGR cooler has no "air" flow to cool it.

FWIW--I know one custom tuner that has found turning the EGR off caused WORSE mileage and performance in some strategies and has recently started putting the EGR back in the loop.

 

Russ,
These guys know their stuff and you'd be wise to listen to them...

Tim,
Nice sig!

 

6.0 EGR Valve

Im a problem with white exhaust smoke on take off. The Ford Dealer said the egr valve was the problem as it is partly clogged. They recommended a Cetane Booster which is suppose to keep the egr valve clean and clear up the smoke problem. We will see..ha:dunno:
I have a 2005 Excursion with the 6.0 Powerstoke.

 

EGR Imposter

Hey just found this on ebay- Ford 6.0 Diesel EGR Eliminator - Spool W/clamps - bolts: eBay Motors (item 270630119699 end time Oct-02-10 07:21:47 PDT) I emailed the guy and asked if it would cause a CEL to illuminate. He said that what some people are doing is hooking up their old EGR and just zip tying it out of the way and that in turn makes the computer think all is well. Anybody got any insight into this?

 

So I have read that some people just get another valve and connect it to the wiring and just stick it in the valley. So as stated above thats not a good idea since all the hot exhaust will soak the EGR cooler. Question is, is there an easy way to block off the exhaust from the EGR cooler without removing it and still looking stock (for those of us that are required to smog test)?

 

I'm trying to wrap my head around this EGR cooler theory, will it allow the hot gas to just flow through? The actual EGR must open and close, I'm guessing when its just started and cold it's closed and opens when warm??

 

Yes, the hot exhaust gas just flows on through the EGR cooler and is cooled by coolant flowing from the oil cooler, although the opening of the EGR valve is controlled through the PCM. The oil cooler is prone to clogging due to casting sand from the manufacturing process of the engine block and due to silicates in the coolant that are released during high coolant temperatures. If your EGR cooler ruptures, it is likely due to low flow through the oil cooler.

 

I think my egr valve busted and sent a carbon sluge into my air cooler,air filter.manifold and also into my turbo. can someone tell me how to flush are clean out this sluge?