My 2000 Trooper continues to use an inordinate amount of oil even after using Sea Foam and switching to Royal Purple moter oil. Last year I had the dealership clean the EGR and the tube, but I'm not convinced they did a very thorough job. Therefore I want to take a crack at it myself. Does this involve removing any gaskets from the intake or throttle body (or anywhere else)? If so, what gaskets should I replace and can I get them someplace other than the dealer?
Thanks.

no gaskets (there is one under the EGR that you can just reuse). See the FAQ's for the how too.

have you replaced the PCV valve?

Well, I haven't replaced the PVC yet, but I did try to clean it. It seemed in good shape, but I think I will just go ahead and replace it.

Thanks for the timely feedback and advice!

When I cleaned ours I got the bad gunk out of the end and hooked a clear vinyl tube up to the egr tube, had to pry a bit w/a screwdriver to get it on the end. After removing the egr I sprayed carb cleaner thru until it ran clear. I would raise the tube a bit so the tube would fill w/cleaner & soak. The tube went under the car to an old plastic jug. Worked for me& kept all gunk out of manifold!

Did you hook the tube up inside the throttle body?

if so this is a great tip! We won't have to worry about hydro locking the engine or washing all the junk into the engine! Cool!

What size hose did you use? Also if I understand it right, you slipped the clear rubber hose over the end of the EGR tube near the throttle body; with the EGR valve removed, you sprayed cleaner into the vacuum port with the engine running and the EGR exhaust port plugged. What you sprayed in came out of the EGR tube into the clear rubber hose. You sprayed cleaner until the stream ran clear. At this point you lifted the tube a bit to allow the cleaner to run back into the EGR tube to help clean it out further. All this with the engine running?

Did you have to replace any gaskets around the throttle body or can you access the EGR tube by just removing the intake hose?

....... All this with the engine running?

Did you have to replace any gaskets around the throttle body or can you access the EGR tube by just removing the intake hose?

LEM, I'm thinking with the the truck running, the engine would probably rev up close to the rev limiter since you have to have the throttle plate opened to fit the hose in. Excellent idea with the vinyl tubing! You can also shove clean rags in the throttle opening to catch the gunk coming out of the EGR tube. Just remember to NOT work the throttle plate by hand with the key on for the throttle by wire equipped 3.2/3.5. (2000+)
G/luck
Joel

What size hose did you use?

I used 3/8" ID tube that I got at Lowes. However it was a bit small, so I used a pair of needle nose pliers to expand it; I just slipped the hose over the pliers' tips and spread them out and held them in place for a minute or so, the hose slipped right onto the EGR tube then. I did have to remove the throttle body to more easily access the EGR tube.

I noticed a lot of black greasy buildup in the manifold. It came off easily with CRC throttle body cleaner, but I couldn't get very far into the manifold chamber. I thought about removing the upper half of the manifold, but decided not to because I figured I'd need to replace a gasket, which I didn't have on hand.

At the very start of this project I tried to get some BG products, but couldn't find anyone that would sell them to me; plenty of places would perform the service, one for about $90.00. Is this something that would be beneficial? I installed a new PCV valve and am going to monitor the oil usage now. I also switched to Royal Purple synthetic motor oil - 10W-30.

One final point, I pulled one of my spark plugs and the tips were lightly coated with a white substance...what does this indicate if anything? The plugs have about 65,000 miles or so.

at 65k on the plugs, I would swap them out (make sure you use the correct brand; see the FAQ's).

Did you hook the tube up inside the throttle body?

if so this is a great tip! We won't have to worry about hydro locking the engine or washing all the junk into the engine! Cool!
Sorry Ryan & Lem, I haven't checked in here for awhile but Lem you did exactly what I did stretching w/a pair of needle nose. you probably found out that I didn't do it with the engine running. Deffinitely took off the throtle body, don't think I could get the hose on otherwise. I was trying to think of a way to run some sort of flex bit thru the pipe, will look around. The toughest part of the process was getting the hose on the end of the pipe, used a very small screwdriver to pry it out enough to get the tubing on the end of it. The nice thing was that you could see very clearly how dirty the cleaner was.