EGR Code..now what ??

[Robdaparamedic]

I recently went to get my '97 Lumina inspected and my "idiot light" was on. The code read 401 which relates to the EGR valve/system. The car has a new valve on it and I took it apart and sprayed cleaner in it and down the tube under it. I also started the car and ran it while spraying the gumout down the ports. The guy erased the code and told me to run it to clear the monitors. 35 miles later, the light came back on. I'm stumped ?? what else is related to this system ?? I have $400 into this car (total) and I'm ready to give it the boot. Just kiddin. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Rob

[merit4242]

code 401 means exhaust gas recirculation insufficient flow detected so i would go and check for any blockage and make sure it is opening and closing sounds like a broken record i know

[jeffcoslacker]

If it ran with the ports exposed and the valve off, they are totally clogged.

It shouldn't idle due to the massive vacuum leak in the intake side. Was exhaust rumbling up through the exhaust side?

I'm puzzled. I've seen one side or the other clogged totally...but not both....

[merit4242]

LOL i missed that whole part

[kevinb70]

and make sure something just didnt get stuck in your new egr that was in the egr tube. put a cleen screen egr gasket to prevent the egr from sucking up any more carbon and jamming the plunger

[Robdaparamedic]

Yes, the vehicle ran with the EGR valve off. It wasn't pretty but it ran. There are 3 ports and only one seemed to be open. How do I go about un-glogging the other two. I could only assume to try and put a small wire down them ports> ??? The plunger in the valve itself was fine. It is a new valve, if I didn't mention. Thanks again.

Rob

[kevinb70]

you did, i was stating the possiblity that if you had a lot of trash in your egr tube, a new egr could get fouled up from it.

[Robdaparamedic]

OK, I put my glasses on and took the EGR valve off again. There is only two ports (not 3). I took a wire and ran it through the port that goes to the throttle body. I sprayed copious amounts of carb/intake cleaner and cleaned everthing up real good. The valve is brand new so everything is working well and clean. The other port is very large and goes to exhaust manifold. I can't possibly believe this can be glogged in any way. Unless the connector at the exhaust end is defective. Question I have is, will the Check Engin Light go off after driving for 80 miles or do I have to reset this?? Secondly, can I reset the light if I disconnect the battery ?? My sticker is expired and need help yesterday....thanks again.

Rob

[kevinb70]

if i plug a code reader into my OBD-II interface port (below steering wheel) and let it display the code three times, that action clears the error from memory.

plug in code reader
turn ignition to ON (NOT Start)
each code usually flashes 3 times.

after a while (30 seconds) unplug code reader and you shouldnt have any more codes stored.


by the way... once upon a time, I got EGR error codes too (on a 3.1).... was a clogged cat. think of trouble codes more as "hints" than the actual problem. There can always be something else that causes another part to give the wrong readings. I could get a misfire code by putting the pedal down with the clogged cat.... engine misfire had nothing to do with the engine itself... go figure. However, in your case, you do claim that the ports are clogged.

yours 3.1 or 3.8?

[Robdaparamedic]

It's a 3.1 and the EGR isn't glogged, it's brand new. Just to make sure I took it off and got a wire and passed it through so I could see it come out in the throttle body. I also used some cleaner and went to town with it. I drove it about 60 miles so far but haven't got it anywhere to get code checked or cleared. I guessing it won't pass.

Rob