Spring cleaning for your vehicle: EGR Valve

Last week, we talked about battery connectors and how to clean them so that your engine starts and runs better. This week, we take a look at how a clean EGR valve can improve your vehicle’s performance, economy, and longevity. Here is the third of four 'under the hood' cleaning tips that can help give your vehicle a fresh start for the new season, as well as help you do your part in protecting the environment.

Clean the EGR Valve

Located on the intake manifold, the exhaust gas recirculation valve (EGR) reduces the nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission from your engine. In short, the EGR system uses the engine’s inert (low oxygen level) exhaust gases to lower the combustion temperatures inside the cylinder combustion chambers. This helps eliminate the pinging sounds sometimes heard during acceleration (spark knock) too! However, constantly routing these exhaust gases will lead to carbon build-up that can clog up the EGR valve, causing the system to run inefficiently and harm your engine’s performance.

Symptoms of a dirty EGR valve stuck open are:

• Rough idle
• Engine surging
• Engine acting like it is about to stall
• Check Engine Light

Symptoms of a dirty EGR valve stuck closed are:

• Pinging / knocking during acceleration
• Engine running at high temperatures
• Decreased fuel mileage
• Check Engine Light

In both open and closed situations, it may not be necessary to replace the EGR valve immediately. Sometimes, a good, deep cleaning may be the trick to reviving your vehicle’s EGR system.

Step by step on how to clean the EGR valve

The Delphi Difference

If the valve is damaged, or you have a failed EGR valve, consider Delphi for your EGR valve replacement. Delphi offers OE precision EGR valves with an exact fit for easy installation, are available in both rotary and linear configuration, and includes a valve gasket for the complete solution.

Check out our catalog to see if we offer an EGR valve for your vehicle and stay turned next week for another Delphi spring cleaning tip.