How to Clean an EGR Valve

The EGR valve or Exhaust Gas Recirculation retains and transforms the exhaust gases to allow the engine to maintain its power. The EGR valve reduces toxic gas emissions by reusing 5% to 35% of the exhaust gases. With time, the EGR valve can clog up and cause various damage to the engine. If it gets completely clogged, the valve no longer works properly and causes pollution. Hence, if you see black smoke from the exhaust, it is probably time to clean an EGR valve.

Here is how you can clean an EGR valve without disassembling the engine. 

Step-by-Step Guide to Clean an EGR Valve

The EGR valve is one of the important emission control devices present in the car’s engine. It is placed between the exhaust manifold and the intake manifold. It recovers the exhaust gases at the intake manifold and reduces the poisonous oxides of nitrogen (NOx). The EGR valve works mainly at low engine speeds when the car emits the most NOx.

The clogged EGR valve risks damaging other parts of your engine, particularly the fuel injectors. The intake circuit is also likely to be damaged. It is, therefore, essential to clean an EGR valve before it’s too late. Changing the EGR valve is sometimes essential, but cleaning it often solves the problem. 

Symptoms of a bad EGR Valve 

Several bad EGR valve symptoms may indicate that it is time to clean it:

• Loss of engine power: The clogged EGR valve can reduce engine performance.
• Black smoke coming from exhaust: Due to the presence of calamine, the vehicle exhaust system produces black smoke.
• Increased fuel consumption: The engine pollutes more because it needs more fuel to move forward.
• Engine warning light: Warning lights on your dashboard indicate a malfunction in the vehicle’s anti-pollution system.

Hence, when you notice one or more of the previous symptoms, you need to clean your EGR valve. If the symptoms persist, it is advisable to take your vehicle to a professional to replace the EGR valve. You can follow these tips when choosing an auto repair shop.

Besides, you can also use your five senses to detect car problems.

How to clean an EGR valve 

Many people think that can EGR be cleaned or not. Well, the cleaning of an EGR valve is not a complicated task nor does it require any complex tools. A set of wrenches and screwdrivers, a toothbrush or brush and some carbon or gasoline cleaning product are enough to leave the EGR like a whistle.

You can follow these steps to clean an EGR valve and optimise your vehicle’s performance. 

Step 1: Park your Vehicle on a Flat Surface

Before you start with the cleaning procedure, make sure your car is parked on an even surface. You need to switch off the car’s engine and take off the negative terminals of the battery.

Step 2: Remove the EGR valve

Remove your car’s EGR valve. Be careful however because, on some car models, the EGR valve is difficult to access. In this case, it is advisable to go directly to your garage.

Step 3: Remove the scale

Once the EGR valve is removed, you can spray it with the EGR valve cleaner spray. Let the product sit for 5 to 10 minutes and then scrape off the scale using a scraper or brush. You can also spray the cleaning spray directly on accessible parts of the car to clean them too.

Step 4: Reassemble the EGR valve

When your EGR valve is clean, you can reassemble it in your car. However, on some models, refitting the EGR valve requires the use of a diagnostic tool.

Step 5: Pour the cleaner into the tank

To also clean inaccessible places in the engine, it is worth pouring an EGR valve cleaner into the tank of your car. For this, your tank must contain at least 20 litres of fuel to mix correctly.

Step 6: Ride at high speed

Once the EGR valve cleaning additive has been poured into the tank, you need to drive your car up the revs. This will increase the engine temperature and thus activate the cleaning power of the additive poured into your tank. All you have to do is drive at high revs. This will also clean your car engine air filters. 

You need to carry out descaling regularly to prevent the EGR valve from clogging up. If your EGR valve is already too clogged, the only solution available to you is to replace it at a garage.

Cleaning your EGR valve is a step that should not be taken lightly. Indeed, it is one of the key parts to ensure the compliance and proper functioning of your vehicle’s anti-pollution system. If the latter does not meet the standards in force, you are subject to fines while driving on board, and the passage to the technical control may be refused by you.

Now you know how to clean an EGR valve and what are the signs of a bad EGR valve. The EGR is nothing more than an anti-pollution system, but a malfunction can affect other parts of the engine. It could cause anything from catalytic converter damage to premature engine wear especially if the EGR gets stuck open and lets smoke into the combustion chambers.

Besides the EGR valve, if too many car parts need replacement, then you can consider buying a used car for sale in the UAE. 

Stay tuned to the UAE’s leading car blog to learn more about repair and replacement tips.