That’s a reasonable idea; EGR coolers are like radiators, only they use water to cool hot exhaust gases, instead of air to lower the hot water’s temperature. That means they can be cleaned like a radiator.

How do I clean my EGR cooler without removing it?

1. Gather the needed cleaning supplies.
2. Locate the EGR Valve.
3. Gain access to the EGR Valve.
4. Start the vehicle and rev it to 2000 RPMs.
5. Spray half of the cleaning solution (250ml)
6. Reinstall the EGR valve cover.
7. Scan the vehicle for error codes.

How do you flush an EGR cooler?

Dilute EGR Flush with water from 1:4 (1 part flush to 4 parts water) for light buildup, up to 1:1 (1 part flush to 1 part water) for heavy buildup. A.) Manual Cleaning: Fill the EGR Cooler with the diluted solution and shake it several times. Allow the solution to work for 2 hours.

Do I need to clean EGR cooler?

Cleaning an EGR Cooler To ensure the regular functioning of the EGR cooler, periodic cleaning of that buildup is necessary. Poor engine performance will result from undesired emissions in the exhaust which is a direct result of a failure to keep the EGR cooler clean.

How do you tell if EGR cooler is clogged?

1. White steam or smoke at the exhaust. …
2. Lowered coolant level with no leaks. …
3. External coolant leakage. …
4. Check engine light.

Can EGR cooler cause turbo failure?

The EGR cooler is another part in the diesel EGR system meant to reduce NOx gas emissions. … The results of this failure can damage a number of different EGR system components, including the VGT turbo. Most failures happen inside the EGR cooler, so it’s easy to miss until symptoms start to show up elsewhere.

How long does an EGR cooler last?

The EGR cooler is an integral part of your vehicle that ensures your engine runs efficiently, and that you’re doing your part and not releasing as much noxious exhaust. Typically you can expect to get about 80,000 miles out of the part, but defects and damage may cause its lifespan to be shortened.

How often should you clean your EGR cooler?

When it comes down to it, you should probably clean your cooler when it gets dirty, whether that means flushing it out every 10,000 miles or 80,000 miles. Cleaning intervals determined by frequent inspection may reduce the chance of failure due to carbon build-up.

What causes EGR cooler failure?

An EGR cooler primarily fails by cracking internally. There are no moving parts in an EGR Cooler. An EGR cooler is simply a heat exchanger which exchanges heat from the exhaust air to the engine coolant.

Will a bad EGR cooler cause white smoke?

White Smoke – while that pesky Valve can cause an abundance of black smoke billowing from the pipes, a failing EGR Cooler actually emits white smoke, or steam, caused by evaporating coolant inside the cooler. When you see white smoke, call for help.

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Can a bad EGR cooler cause overheating?

If the EGR cooler has any issues that restrict the flow of exhaust gases through the cooler it can cause the engine to overheat. … This can cause the unit to overheat, at which point it will not be able to cool the exhaust gases, and the engine will overheat as a result.

Is it worth cleaning EGR valve?

Cleaning your EGR valve will solve your car’s engine performance issues related to any clogging or system passages problem with the valve. Even more importantly, it’ll prevent serious engine damage and expensive repairs. … In severe cases, this develops into violent detonations that will seriously damage your engine.

Can I use brake cleaner to clean EGR valve?

When cleaning the egr valve, people say to use carb cleaner, but when your cleaning the valley where the oil cooler sits people say to use brake cleaner. in my limited experience, brake cleaner leaves behind residue but carb cleaner doesn’t.

Is there an additive to clean EGR valve?

STP® Professional Series Diesel EGR Cleaner Cleans air intake system inlet valves and EGR valves. STP® Professional Diesel EGR Cleaner is designed to quickly dissolve gum, lacquer, carbon and tar like deposits from the air intake system.

What is an EGR cooler?

Exhaust Gas Recirculation Coolers (EGR coolers) are devices that aid in reducing nitrogen oxide emissions (NOx) for internal combustion engines. Recirculating nitrogen oxide emission can substantially aid in the reduction of heat and pressure in the engine.

Are EGR coolers worth anything?

The EGR and cooler don’t hold a lot of value. They pop up in the classified section here for $100-$200 usually. If you have the DPF (diesel particulate filter) from the exhaust system, it’s worth quite a bit more, as it contains precious metals. You can sell for scrap for several hundred dollars sometimes….

How much does it cost to replace EGR cooler?

To have it replaced, you will pay anywhere from $650 to nearly $1600. The average price is closer to $1,100, but what you pay will depend on the car you have and how much the parts and labor cost for that car. On average, the labor will run you about $440, but it could be a few hundred dollars more.

Can a bad EGR cooler cause loss of power?

Loss of coolant from the cooling system: this could be causing an internal leak in the exhaust system that could result in poor engine performance, and even cause more costly repairs.

Can EGR leak coolant?

If the EGR cooling system develops a leak, water can escape into the EGR system and pass through the engine, accounting for gradual coolant loss. … Unfortunately, coolant loss of this nature can cause catastrophic engine failure – often with few warning symptoms (or none).

Can a EGR cooler Be Fixed?

Replacing the EGR cooler or hose requires the removal of the batteries, air intake ducts, turbo intake duct, turbo, intake manifold and finally the cooler. Get a service manual at your local auto parts store. It will give an in-depth procedure with illustrations to make it easy.

How much does it cost to get EGR valve cleaned?

The cost of parts will be somewhere around $190 to $270, while the cost of labor will be anywhere from $60 to $80.

Can I use carb cleaner on EGR valve?

To clean your EGR valve, start by cleaning the vacuum hose with carburetor cleaner or a pipe cleaner. Then, unbolt the valve, and clean the return tube and entry port using carburetor cleaner, and a toothbrush or pipe cleaner.

What happens when EGR is blocked?

If the EGR system is clogged up, or the valve is stuck closed, the combustion temperature increases. This may cause pinging (detonation), as well as surging on light acceleration. In a diesel engine, a bad EGR valve is one of the causes of a black smoke. The Check Engine light might also come on in either case.

How do I keep my EGR valve clean?

To clean the valve, wear an acid-resistant pair of gloves. Put on safety glasses, too, as the carbon deposits could become airborne in the process. Spray the EGR valve cleaner onto the carbon deposits. Remove the carbon buildup with the use of a pipe cleaning brush and dull scraper.

How much does it cost to clean an EGR valve UK?

If one EGR cleaning is enough, you can expect to spend about an additional hour for this work. This depends on the hourly rate of the garage. Authorised service centres are usually somewhat more expensive than independent car garages. However, the average hourly rates in the UK are around £60 – £150.

What is EGR stand for?

Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is an emission control technology allowing significant NOx emission reductions from most types of diesel engines: from light-duty engines through medium- and heavy-duty engine applications right up to low-speed, two-stroke marine engines.

What does GREY smoke mean?

White smoke can often mean material is off-gassing moisture and water vapor, meaning the fire is just starting to consume material. … Grey smoke can indicate that the fire is slowing down and running out of materials to burn.

How much does it cost to fix white smoke from exhaust?

It costs between $1,600 and $2,000 to replace a head gasket. The cost for the parts themselves vary between $720 and $850, while the labor costs range from $900 to $1,200. The cylinder head is essential since it connects to the engine block and head gasket.

Does white smoke always mean blown head gasket?

The most common sign of a blown head gasket is exhaust smoke. White smoke indicates that your car is burning coolant that is leaking into the cylinders. … This test analyzes the fumes from the coolant in the radiator to determine whether hydrocarbons are present, as this is often a sign of a head gasket failure.