Hi,

I've read some of this topic on the forum and now understand it much better.

I'v now had car 1y 4m. Bought witb 58k, now has 66k. I've changed the oil twice, new fuel filter, new air filter - though when bought it had a new water pump and cam as well as full service from dealer before I pick it up.

I've also cleaned jets 4 times. 1 by way of new fuel filter and 3 by tank added cleaners. 

I've seen the best way to clean EGR is to take the full manifold off with the EGR and do the lot. Though I'm not that confident and have bought a spray cleaner. I have a video where the guy removes the rubber hose and sprays the cleaner straight into the EGR. 

Compared with photo's of other's I've seen mine doesn't look bad, though welcome any advice I can again get from the forum.

The car doesn't smoke at all now I got advice from here.

( Jet's cleaned, cleaner in fuel filter and tank then hammeted it on the motorway in 4th for some miles. )

Can I clean the EGR with the spray, tooth brush and rag's? 

Thanks . 

 

Id be wary about the muck getting pushed further in rather than getting it out if you leave it in place.  On my 54 plate 1.9 PD I just took it off.  A ball ended allen key helps no end to get the bottom bolt out.  New gasket and large o-ring are relatively cheap from the dealer.

 

What problem are you having as I replaced my EGR which made no difference, it was my vacuum solenoid.

Thanks.

I'm having no problems with the car it runs very well. I just want to keep it at as best I can. 

Think I'll go and buy a ball allen key.

Though I'm wondering how much hassal taking the whole manifold off is. 

I can't comment on removing the whole manifold, I just removed the EGR as that's what I thought the problem was.  Its a 5mm ball ended allen key for the 3 EGR bolts (a normal one will do it but the bottom one is a pain) If you don't have a ball ended one then once you remove the exhaust feed to the EGR (I cant remember now but its about 6mm allen key for those two) you should be able to get the bottom EGR bolt out as you can move the pipe slightly out of the way.  It also helps to remove a couple of the mounting bolts for the black air pipe that runs across the back of the engine and down the left side (one located at the top and a second below the EGR valve). Once the EGR was off the car I used an old screwdriver to gently scrape the sticky gunk off before using carb cleaner and a toothbrush for the remaining carbon deposits.  Wear old clothes or coveralls as the sticky black stuff seems to get everywhere and doesn't come off you clothes.  I used an old plastic bowl to clean the valve in to prevent staining of my path.  It's a very messy job but mine looked almost like new by the time I'd finished.  I replaced the bits in good old Haynes fashion with a new gasket for the exhaust feed pipe (about £3 from the dealer) and a new rubber O-ring type thing for the EGR to manifold joint which I can't remember the price of.

 

Mine had done 179,000 miles and I had a fault saying EGR insufficient flow. I did change it for a new unit at first but I then cleaned up the old one and put it back on as the new chinese cheapie gave me a new problem.  I never would have touched it otherwise as I'm a firm believer that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Thanks a lot Andy thats a great help.

I think I'll just stick with the spray without removal for now before I take off camping.

Though I will get round to taking off and giving it a good clean.

Aside from that the car has no issue.

One thing I have noticed in the time I'm had the car, ( an old guy had it from new before me. And looked after it. ) , after suggestion from here I cleaned the jets couple of times and have blasted it on the motorway when I take off.

I've noticed the increase both in fuel consumption, speed and pull. And I don't get any black smoke now. 

Maybe the old guy -58k in 9 years - just never put his foot down from time to time in it. Which I'm happy about.

If there are no issues with the car that can be directly attributed to the EGR I'd leave well alone.

 

The best methods to keep the EGR clean:

 

• Regular oil changes using the correct grade of oil.
• Use of good quality fuel.
• Regular exercise through the rev range and gears (i.e. occasional spirited driving).

If the above is done the EGR will look after itself.

 

Sometimes sprays and other snake oils dislodge some of the crud / carbon which then results in adverse affects that wouldn't ordinarily have appeared.

 

Edited 14 July, 20178 yr by silver1011

Ok thanks Silver for the reasurance.