possible egr stopping up

[mike3028]

hey ya'll, i have a 95 with a 4.3 vortec in it. about 1-11/2 years ago had the intake pulled, soaked and put back on. now the egr valve wants to get a piece of carbon stuck in it. is there something i can put in the fuel or put in the intake to clean the carbon up without having to pull it off again? any help on this would be gratly appreciated. the truck quit on me twice today. i pulled the egr valve off 2 weeks ago and cleaned it but that doesn't do anything for the carbon built up on the inside of the intake. would burning a higher octane fuel help any? thanks again!

[OverBoardProject]

I found this on this web site http://www.hotrodder.com/kwkride/tech.html

The best way to clean carbon build-up out of your engine is NOT to take the car out and run it as hard as you can. This only results in meetings with local law enforcement personnel, and doesn't do much for cleaning out carbon.
If you really want to clean the carbon out of your engine follow these simple steps. Fill an empty soda bottle with water. Remove your air cleaner. Start your engine. While using one hand to control the throttle, trickle the water into the carb or throttle body with the other while holding your thumb over the bottle opening. Keep the engine rpm's up so that the engine doesn't die. Make sure that you don't pour the water in too fast! Water doesn't compress and if you pour too much water in, severe engine damage can result! White smoke from the exhaust is normal. If you have a port fuel injected car, you obviously won't be able to use this method, but I have had success with connecting a vacuum hose to a port at the base of the throttle body and sticking the other end of the hose into the bottle of water. The vacuum of the engine will suck the water in, creating the same effect. This will clean out even the most stubborn carbon, by 'steam cleaning' your cylinders.

[mike3028]

thanks for the info, i will give it shot. will this clean that vortec intake also? i am going to try that this evening. thanks again

[denver_blazer]

Hey OverBoard,

sounds like sn interresting approach to cleaning out that carbon. I also have the 4.3 cpi and have had problems with the egr before. Which hose do you suggest to disconnect to suck in the water? besides, how do you make sure it doesn't suck in too much water in this case?

[OverBoardProject]

Well I just found that web site on Google, but what I usually try doing is remove the air filter for a short bit. Then spray a mist in there with a spray bottle.
When the engine starts to bog down stop spraying until it returns to normal.

Unless you squirt like mad it probably won't really bog a 4.3L down.

after 5 min or or so your motor should be carbon free

[denver_blazer]

that sounds like the right thing to do! I don't really have any problems right now, but still I think I will do it. Always good to have a clean engine!

[OverBoardProject]

Afterwords pull one of your plugs, you won't believe how clean it is

[mike3028]

thanks to everyone that replied. i poured about 10-12 oz. of water down thwe intake with the rpm's up and then poured a half can of sea foam in there right behind it. it's amazing the difference it made. the truck runs excellent now. thanks again!!!

[OverBoardProject]

I'm glad that it all worked out.

It's amazing how much better a clean motor works.