The EGR valve, which stands for exhaust gas recirculation, is a vital part of your car’s emissions control system. It helps to lower combustion chamber temperatures and reduces oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions in your car’s exhaust.
The function of the EGR valve is to recirculate a small amount of exhaust into the air intake system to dilute the air/fuel mixture, which lowers combustion chamber temperatures and reduces NOx production. When this process is not performed correctly, it can lead to increased fuel consumption and engine performance issues.
A good way to tell if your vehicle’s evr valve is failing is to watch out for a number of symptoms. These include engine knock, low fuel economy and the check engine light.
Engine management lights may also stay on if your EGR valve is not working properly. If this is the case, it could be an indication of a more serious problem that requires immediate attention.
Black smoke escaping through the exhaust is another common sign that your EGR valve isn’t working properly. If this is the case, you should immediately have it looked at to determine if your valve needs to be replaced or cleaned.
Excessive amounts of carbon and other deposits in your EGR valve can also cause it to fail. This is because it can become very difficult to clean the valve when it has a lot of build-up.
Cleaning your EGR valve is a simple and effective way to ensure that it functions properly and keeps you on the road safely. The first step is to spray the EGR valve cleaner on the clogged area and then use a pipe cleaning brush and dull scraper to remove the accumulated carbon deposits.
Repeat this process until the entire surface is clean and free of debris. After this, you should wipe the surface down with a clean cloth. If there is still a lot of carbon build-up, you can soak it in a cleaning solution for a few minutes before using the pipe cleaning brush to clean the remaining residue.
Soot from the engine can also affect your EGR valve. Soot buildup can be caused by long idling periods, poor quality fuel and other factors that can increase the stress on the EGR system. This can result in a sooty smell in your vehicle and could be the cause of the check engine light staying on.
Diesels, especially Cummins engines, can also experience problems with their EGR valves. This can be due to a number of different issues such as failing seals, faulty actuators and wiring.
If you own a diesel vehicle and are experiencing problems with the EGR valve, you should consult your mechanic before taking action on the issue. They will be able to help you find the cause of the problem and determine if it is an easy fix or more significant repairs will need to be made.
Depending on your make and model, it’s likely that your car will require an EGR valve replacement. This is something that should be done on a regular basis in order to keep your vehicle running at its best.