EGR Valve on 1994 Grand Prix SE V6 3.1L?

[jgoggan]

My mechanic wants crazy money ($433 for the part (which I can get for under $100 myself) plus labor) to replace the EGR Valve on my wife's 1994 Grand Prix. I'm certainly no expert, but I'm hearing that I should be able to do this one myself. Can anyone give me details on exactly where to find the EGR Valve on this vehicle? And, also gladly accepted, any tips on replacing it?

Thanks!

- John...

[Flatrater]

Well John since you didn't say what engine you have!! If you buy the part just open your hood and look for the same part. Usually they are installed with 2 bolts and one electrical connector. Its not hard to do and should only take 5 minutes to do.

Just take this under advisement, you get what you paid for! Meaning buy one that costs 100 dollars don't epect it to last long or work!! Their is a reason it costs 433 dollars. One that costs 100 dollars can't be that good! Whats the difference if you replace 4 100 dollar EGR valves in 2 years or you replace one that last 10 years.

Remember you get what you paid for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jgoggan]

Thanks for the info -- sorry for forgetting the engine type -- it is the 3.1L engine.

As for the part, I am talking about the exact same ACDelco part. The repair shop wants $433 for it. I can find it from a local parts supply for $325. Again, for the same part. I then found someone that has a single of it for sale online for just over $100. Again, for the exactly same part (that one is more of an exception though, since he just has the one more by chance -- as opposed to selling them regularly at that price).

But, in any case, even if I forget the one that I was able to find very cheap because he had a spare and just look at the local shop -- I still save over $100 for the exact same part. So, it really isn't a case of "you get what you pay for." I'm not getting any more out of the repair shop's $433 part than the parts store two blocks away at $325 when we're talking about the identical ACDelco part.

- John...

[Flatrater]

John as long as it is a delco part no problems there!!! I have fixed many cars with the same part someone else replaced with a cheap part. Then I have to listen to the owner complaining that they spent X amount of dollars somewhere else only to have me replace the same part. I only use AC Delco in my cars!! Cheaper isn't always better!!

[jgoggan]

Agreed! If it wasn't the same ACDelco part, then I likely wouldn't go with the cheaper one. But when it comes to the exact same ACDelco part -- and I can get it for 1/3 of what the repair shop wants, it's worth it for me to buy it and do it myself. :-)

Thanks again!

- John...

[92GPSE24VTDOHCV6]

So you can just take it off and put the new one on? I have the same problem...the shop quote is $430, I think. I have the 3.4L V6. The EGR is about the only part that I can reach or see!

[jgoggan]

Funny that you should reply to this old thread now... I JUST put the replacement valve in last week.

Unfortunately, I'm still getting an engine light. I'm going to go into AutoZone and get the code soon.

Does anything need to be "reset" after an engine light code to get things back to normal? For example, if it were giving an error about the EGR Valve and then I replaced it -- should that do it? Or do I need to have something "reset" or marked as "fixed" as far as the computer goes?

- John...

[The Burning Rom]

Originally Posted by jgoggan

Thanks for the info -- sorry for forgetting the engine type -- it is the 3.1L engine.

No..you actually have a 3100. Be careful when buying an EGR. The 3.1s used a different unit than the 3100s.

EDIT: Wow, I just noticed how old this thread was

[jgoggan]

Originally Posted by The Burning Rom

No..you actually have a 3100. Be careful when buying an EGR. The 3.1s used a different unit than the 3100s.

Um, huh? I'm not sure what you mean. According to the Pontiac info I can find, the 1994 Grand Prix SE engine is listed as a "V6-3100 3.1L". So, I'm not sure what you mean by the "3.1" being different than the "3100".

AutoZone also lists the available engines for that year as a "6 Cylinders 191 M 3.1L SFI" or "6 Cylinders 207 X 3.4L SFI". Again, we have the 3.1L -- which, from what I can find, IS the same as the "3100."

What am I missing? Aren't there just two engines available for that year? The 3.4L and the 3.1L -- and the 3.1L is the "V6-3100 3.1L"?

- John...

[The Burning Rom]

There are only two engines available for the 95 year. One is the LQ1 (3.4L DOHC) motor. The other is the GENIII SFI 3100 v6. It is DIFFERENT from the GENII MPFI 3.1 motor used from late 89-93.

See the difference...GenIII SFI 3100...GenII MPFI 3.1?

The 3100 was closer to a ODBII motor. It had different heads/intakes/throttle body/valvetrain...and most of the electronics were different. That's why it's important to know what motor you are talking about.

The autozone book is a poor listing to go by. Apparently it lists the 3100 as a 3.1, which isn't good. It probably also lists the 3400 as a 3.4...which is WORSE! Since the 3400 is a pushrod motor and the 3.4 is a DOHC motor.

And if nothing else, you can look on the upper intake manifold. It says 3100 SFI...not 3.1 MPFI.

[jgoggan]

Well, then what size is the 3100?

I was under the impression that there were two engines for the 1994 year: a 3.1L and a 3.4L. Someone asked me which I had -- and I answered that I had a 3.1L engine. That seems correct to me. I don't have the 3.4L engine -- and the 3.1L is the other option.

Granted, if I had known to be more specific, I could have answered "a 3100." But, it still seems that I answered it accurately.

Are you saying that the 3100 is not a 3.1L engine?

- John...

[jgoggan]

On a side note, Kelly Blue Book -- and several other sources -- are the same way. If I go there and select a 1994 Grand Prix SE, my only two engine choices are "V6 3.1 Liter" and "V6 3.4 Liter" -- not "V6 3100" and "V6 3400." Oh well...

- John...

[ra11585643]

Gee wish my old car had all those new fangled gadgets on it. NOT !!!!

[The Burning Rom]

Originally Posted by jgoggan

Well, then what size is the 3100?

I was under the impression that there were two engines for the 1994 year: a 3.1L and a 3.4L. Someone asked me which I had -- and I answered that I had a 3.1L engine. That seems correct to me. I don't have the 3.4L engine -- and the 3.1L is the other option.

Granted, if I had known to be more specific, I could have answered "a 3100." But, it still seems that I answered it accurately.

Are you saying that the 3100 is not a 3.1L engine?

- John...

The 3100 is the same size as a 3.1, but it has more hp and more torque due to improvements in head and intake design. But they are in-fact different motors, as they have different VIN letters. Places like Autozone and Kelly Blue Book list them as 3.1...because the average person doesn't know any better. But being as this is a car discussion forum, I thought that the difference should be pointed out.

[CustoJoe]

The easiset way to tell the difference between the 3100 and the previous generation 3.1 is the plenum. The 3.1 will say "3.1 multiport FI" on it, and the 3100 will say "3100 SFI V6". The generation I 3.1, was only used in the Cavalier, Lumina & Sunbird for 1994. All other bodies began using the generation II 3100 for 1994. This includes the W bodies (Cutlass Supreme, Grand Prix, Regal).