egr malfunction

[AdamG]

Im having problems with my egr system. It randomly is throwing codes and I cant figure out what the problem is. I can drive 100 miles and it never throws a code or it can go 50 feet and throw one. Not only that but the length that the light stays on is inconsistent as well. sometimes its on for a few minutes other times its on for a while till the car is shut off and restarted.

the system was checked out by me and i couldn't find anything wrong so i took it to a dealer and they said it was functioning normally.

[SexyTransAm]

just delete it. ya dont need that shit anyways.

[95ImpySS]

X2 on the deletion. Its simple and cleans up the engine bay. I have plugs for the exhaust if you go that route.

[Fastbird]

It's probably a low flow code. The EGR sees a lot of carbon build up. I'd try pulling the EGR and hosing it down good with carb or brake cleaner and see if that helps. You'll see what I'm talking about when you get it off the car.

[AdamG]

From shbox.com "The EGR system is used to lower NOx (oxides of nitrogen) emissions caused by high combustion temperature and excessive oxygen. Adding exhaust gases back into the intake, displaces oxygen and decreases combustion temperatures."

This would lead me to believe the removal of the egr system would not be beneficial as it would increase combustion gases. It is also almost unseen so I dont see how it cleans up the bay really. Last but not least it is part of my visual inspection for my emissions and while some may not check for it some may and fail me.

Ill have to pull it next weekend and try and clean it fastbird see if that helps ill check the code right now and see exactly what the code is.

[AdamG]

It is code 32 Egr failure.

[SexyTransAm]

. Last but not least it is part of my visual inspection for my emissions and while some may not check for it some may and fail me.



damn that sucks

[AdamG]

damn that sucks It does and doesn't. I dont have to go through a sniffer or be hooked up to a computer. But I do have to go through a visual. I had another car that would never pass inspection but a friend inspected it for me till he went to work for GE.I couldn't find any one to pass it because they get fined pretty heavy and lose their inspection license if they get caught.

So i have to keep the egr and the cat it also has to be in the stock location so no long tubes for me either. I don't believe the air pump is part of the inspection though so I could remove that.

[SeanMac]

air pump is part of the visual inspection, all emissions equipment

[AdamG]

No offense seanmac I dont see how you can say it is or isnt since you arent in my state and each state has its own inspection standards.

[SeanMac]

You're right, I guess it is possible some states don't look at all the emissions. I know in NC they do but now I'm curious. So what state are you in?

[95ImpySS]

Ouch. I forget that there are still states that have emissions.:doh: EGR removal is beneficial because it will allow only air and fuel to be burned. (not exhaust gasses) EGR is ONLY there because of emissions regulations. Otherwise it costs HP. Combustion=power. Usually when people delete the EGR system they also delete the air pump, plug the holes in the intake and exhaust manifold. As well as remove the solenoid valve. Thus eliminating clutter (hoses and hard lines on both sides of the engine) in the engine bay. But since deleting the EGR is not an option. You'll have to repair it.

What kind of inspection did you perform? Did you remove the EGR Valve from the back of the intake and check excess carbon build up? Does the shaft in the valve move freely? Did you check the diaphragm for leaks? Do you have any dry rotted or broken vacuum lines?

[AdamG]

I checked the hoses it was the first thing I did because its the simplest. Then me and my friend who used to be a gm tech ran the diagnostics that were on shboxs web page . I am not sure what the shop that did the inspection ran nor am i sure what the dealership did to check it out.


I live in upstate New York. It used to be semi easy to get inspections but over the last 10 years the state has really been cracking down on people at least in my area. I know there will people who say they get away with murder but I never seem to.

[SeanMac]

Adam,
According to this link (http://www.dmv.ny.gov/broch/c-50.htm) they're going to check all emissions that the car came with. (toward the bottom, low-enhanced emissions inspection '95- older)

I'm not trying to convince you to keep it, just trying to help because you are worried about getting caught without egr and I assumed it would be like NC in that if it came on the car its supposed to be there as far as inspections are concerned. I know it can be a pain if you dont have buddies that do it.

[AdamG]

Adam,
According to this link (http://www.dmv.ny.gov/broch/c-50.htm) they're going to check all emissions that the car came with. (toward the bottom, low-enhanced emissions inspection '95- older)

I'm not trying to convince you to keep it, just trying to help because you are worried about getting caught without egr and I assumed it would be like NC in that if it came on the car its supposed to be there as far as inspections are concerned. I know it can be a pain if you dont have buddies that do it.


I wasnt planing on removing it but you are right at the bottom it does say air injection system. Its funny becuase they hassel me about every thing else but i never see them even look at the air pump.

[AdamG]

Just out of curiosity what would change from shifting from neutral into drive that would make the car want to stall and idle slightly lower? Im wondering if this problem is linked to the egr problem. Im thinking the valve its self is dirty or bad. But im wondering what changes in the computer that is messing with the idle.

Its an A4.

[95ImpySS]

Does it want to stall when you put it in gear? The rpm should drop when put in gear but by only a few hundred rpm

[ksmyss]

You can block it off and have it tuned out but still leave it in place. I did that for a few years. You can pull the egr valve off and put a solid metal piece in place of the gasket and then block off the pipe from the manifold/header to the intake.

[AdamG]

Does it want to stall when you put it in gear? The rpm should drop when put in gear but by only a few hundred rpm

Yah it stumbles really bad like it wants to stall. Some how it doesnt even though i always things its going to. The idle stays down but it slowly climbs back up to around 600-700 id have to do data monitering to get you the exact rpms

[rdx]

A failed EGR can REALLY make your car run like crap.. Believe me.. if you remove it, you clean your engine bay, you make it easier to work on the intake manifold, you remove potential vacuum leaks, you avoid exhaust gases from clogging your intake and you make it easier to troubleshoot other issues by not having to consider it as a possibility, also the car passes emissions tests with no problem

[AdamG]

Im going to see if I can find my block off plates. I dont belive i sold them but I may have. I think im going to block it out and tune it out of the pcm and see how the cars starts and runs with out it. I just have to talk figure out how to tune out the egr on tunnerpro rt . I should have my cables in by firday