EGR valve problem

[sharky956]

Hey everyone...
I have a 95 GMC safari with a 4.3 vortec and am having trouble with my EGR valve sticking. I have taken it off and cleaned it out the best I could, but it is still running really bad. Anyone have any suggestions on the best way to clean it out...? Any help is appreciated.

and yes im sure it is the EGR valve

THANK YOU ANYONE WHO CAN HELP

[GMMerlin]

Whats happening is small pieces of carbon are breaking off inside the passages and are being lodged in the valve. The only "real" way to cure this problem is to remove the intake and have the EGR passages bead blasted to remove the carbon deposits.

A temporary fix is to remove the valve and start the engine and rev it up a couple times, this should help remove any loose pieces before you reinstall the valve.
Make sure the pintle of the valve is seated properly

[sharky956]

Thank you GMMerlin when i'm done with class this week i am going to try that...

Anything is worth a shot I need to get back and forth to college and work. I have to keep this vehicle running the best I can. For as long as I can.

Out of curiosity why do the dealers tell you in the letter they sent out about this problem that it is the valve that needs replaced and not have the EGR passages cleaned as you said?

And is there really a gasket with a screen to reduce carbon buildup out there b\c i can not find one if there is?

[GMMerlin]

The letter pertained to an internal fault of the valve.

I have heard people talk of a gasket with a screen, but I haven't seen one yet. The problem with a screen is that you are passing hot exhaust gas through it...it may melt.

[sharky956]

Ok I understand now...

I did find a site for that gasket right after I made that last post too...
I'm probably not going to do it though.

www.tomco-inc.com

[GMMerlin]

Let me know if you try that gasket. I looked at the website.
I'm going to try one myself and see how well it works...could save my customers some money and aggrevation.

[sharky956]

I'll let definitely let you know if I try that gasket. I contacted them to see where they deal near me. I think im going to try to pick one up and give it a shot... It's better than taking it all apart to get to my valve to clean it or if worse comes to worse having to buy a new one...

[RABarrett]

Something to consider here is the reason for the carbon deposits. If the vehicle is driven on short trips and shut down, the problem is not cured, you are only treating the symptoms. Also, a new valve will have smoother surfaces, to which the deposits cannot stick, precluding the problem. Some food for thought. Ray

[Dima_777]

I am going to buy one gasket and install it myself, but I found it is really hard to disconnect EGR valve!

Did you use any special instrument?

[sharky956]

Actually I used nothing more than a socket wrench w/ a long extension... It took a little while but it did work. I cleaned it out, but I never got to install the gasket to see if it worked. It ran like a dream for about 3 months. Then out of nowhere it started acting up on the my way home from work one night and stalled in an intersection I was going through and I took a good hit to my passenger side... So no more van for me

[maxwell1203]

Having same problem thanks for the info

Originally Posted by GMMerlin

Whats happening is small pieces of carbon are breaking off inside the passages and are being lodged in the valve. The only "real" way to cure this problem is to remove the intake and have the EGR passages bead blasted to remove the carbon deposits.

A temporary fix is to remove the valve and start the engine and rev it up a couple times, this should help remove any loose pieces before you reinstall the valve.
Make sure the pintle of the valve is seated properly

[the blur]

I am the EGR answer man !!!!
the screened gasket solved my problem by 95%, they do not melt, they work. made by Tomko.
95% wasn't good enough for me, I brought the GM revised prom (mem-cal) for my 95. problem solved.

I never cleaned the passages, never blew the carbon out, nothing. The new prom is the solution, and can tolerate tons of carbon.

just last week I changed the spider, and while I had the plenum opened up I cleaned the carbon and the EGR passages. tons of carbon in there. the passages were clogged more than 50%, but even with all that carbon, the revised prom handled it just fine. That recall EGR letter is BS. GM would NOT pay for the prom, only the EGR valve which is NOT the problem. can you say stupid !!!, and I argued with GMC too. Waste of my time.

[aggie8387]

I've been having the same problem with my '95 Blazer. I was just about to mail-order an EGR valve gasket from Tomco when I saw your post. What's a "prom", where can I buy one, and how do I install it?

Thanks!

[LTJGWorth]

What is the deal with the EGR valve? I have had my 1992 since it was new off the lot and have never had any trouble with the EGR. Is this a defective item and I just got lucky and got a good one?

[mike1995x5]

Can someone post a picture of the EGR value? I have a 97 and my "Haynes Repair Manual" doesn't have a picture of what it looks like. I Know that it is not vacume powered so it might look different than other models. Thanks!