Yet another question about cleaning the EGR valve

[Fluvannahoo]

On a 2002 V-6. If a coathanger or other such tool is used to clean the EGR pipe, what becomes of the carbon pushed through the pipe? Is that harmful to the engine? Also, at 120K miles is it necessary to replace the gasket, I've read that it is reusable. I am about to take that task on this weekend.

[highlandlake]

You'll want to prevent that from getting into the intake. It's a nasty goo with some hard matter that could interfere with the injectors at best and score the cylinder walls in the worst case. Take the time to remove the throttle body. (good how-to and pictures archived here) You'll be able to tuck a rag in past the inlet pipe port to catch all that gross stuff that will come out. I'm assuming the Gen II model like yours is very similar to the one I have and the procedure will require the same steps.

[Ramblin Fever]

Highlandlake - the pictures you posted are no longer available for viewing.

[highlandlake]

Hmmm, that's odd about the pictures. But the ones I posted weren't that good anyway - kind of fuzzy. Mostly they looked like the surface of Pluto.
Somewhere on here I saw some good pics of the coolant hoses connected to the TB. But if they can't be located, the most important thing is to be aware of them and get ready for a small gush of fluid when the hoses are disconnected. I didn't use an air hose during the enema I performed - has anyone else found that to be of help instead of using a coathanger?

[boaz2020]

I used an air hose, It worked extremely well for my situation as the EGR tube was completely blocked, I'll direct you to another thread in which I've posted a complete procedure for doing this:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...=568018&page=2

I personally had removed the entire intake manifold (both upper and lower) as my common chamber (plenum) was full of crud.

However, if you take the throttle body off it is easy to catch all the junk that will come out. As highlandlake said, tuck a rag inside the common chamber, all around up under the EGR tube and you'll be fine.

If you are careful while removing the EGR valve you should be able to lift the gasket off with no trouble and save it for reuse.

Best results are achieved through using wire (ie: coat hanger) in combination with compressed air.

The air should be introduced from the smaller hole where the EGR valve sat. Some sprays shot down the tube from the EGR valve side should help dissolve the oil sludge and free up the carbon (I used plain old 2+2 gum cutter).

Good Luck, let us know how it turns out!

-Phil

[amigo-2k]

There use to be another post about placing a plastic tube over the end of the egr to drain the junk out of it. I tried it once but didn't have luck getting the clear plastic tube over the end of the egr.