worse case scenario of not replacing EGR valve?

[huneydo]

i have a 2001 odyssey with 94,000 miles. the check engine light (along with the TCS light...but only sporadically two or three times a day) has been on for about 6 months. the dealer said i needed to replace the egr valve and it would cost $360. question 1: what's the worse thing that could happen if i do not replace the kit? question 2: can any foreign fix it shop replace this valve kit? question 3: does the TCS light have anything to do with this and if not, what could that mean?

thanks!

[lorunner]

Well to answer the TCS question first. The TCS will come on with the check engine lite under certin cercumstances. The traction control rely's on inputs from the throttle positon senser as well as other sensors like the EGR. So the reason the TCS lite is on if in fact you have an EGR code is definately because of that.

Affects are. The EGR can cause a hesitation and also a stumble that can be felt while driving. also once the engine lite comes on the pcm actually runs the car on a set map or like specific settings that will keep the car running. this will greatly effect gas mileage since the car isn't running optimally.

An outside shop may be able to fix the problem but along with EGR replacement the intake needs to be removed and cleaned and an insert put in that requires drilling out the existing port to the proper size. The drill bit is a special tool but i guess on can measure the sleeve and get a close enough bit that will work.

[mpumas]

lorunner, you mentioned drilling out the EGR manifold ports. Did they change the size of the individual ports I think the runner is a bolt on, so removing it makes easy access to the EGR ports. correct? Does an EGR valve replace automatically require the ports to be cleaned? The EGR valve is easy to replace, so easy that an owner could do the job.

[lorunner]

Well there is actually an update that was issued by honda and is covered under warrenty if the car is under 80k and 8 years. The kit comes with a sleeve that goes in the original port but it needs to be drilled oversize in order to put it in. As long as you can measure the sleeve and get a drill bit that has the exact tolerances so the sleeve will fit tight than yes a do-it-yourselfer can do it.