ogr cleaning

Check engine light came on again It seems it comes on every six month I take it in and they say that egr ports need to be cleaned. Can i do this myself How do i go about cleaning the ogr port, I want to do it myself because i'm tight on cash right now. 96 Windstar 3.8l

Thanks

The EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) valve & ports can be easily & safely cleaned with a quality carburetor / intake cleaner. Remove the EGR valve & blow out the exhaust side of the EGR base with the van off & cool, then start the van & spray the cleaner thru the vacuum side of the EGR base until it flows freely. Work the valve pintle up/down to make sure it moves freely. It's a good idea to spray out the PCV line, breather line & brake booster line as well.
G/luck

What do you think about using fuel injector cleaner everytime you change your oil, I've heard once you use it that you have to use it all the time, if not your injectors get gucked up
thanks for the info

Rodeo2,

Can you expand on these instructions a bit?

For example:
1) reomve EGR valve - I assume from the lower intake.
2) Blow out the exhaust side. Blow out with what? isn't there a rubber diaframe to worry about?
3) Spray the cleaner through the vacuum side? Do you mean into the EGR vavle? and where will it flow freely from?
4) I think the ports that need to be cleaned are in the manifold. Should one spray the cleaner in towards these ports from the EGR valve connection point?

Sorry to be dense

The valve itself is mounted on right side of the engine (drive end), just below where the throttle body mounts to the plastic upper/mid intake manifold assembly. Our vans have a diaphragm actuated, pintle style valve that uses vacuum for actuation. The cleaning process will require removal of the fittings that go into and out of the EGR valve base itself. You will see an (approx) 3/4" tube plumbed from the front exhaust manifold to the base of the EGR, then a smaller tube going from the EGR outlet to the rear of the lower intake. Of course it looks like a total PITA to get in there! I have done this procedure on various GM & import vehicles now, but not yet on my windstar :uhoh: . (just got it!) When the EGR valve is removed & the vehicle is running, you will get slight exhaust flow out of the feed pipe & vacuum from the tubing that goes to the intake (this is typically the clogged line). I spray out with carb cleaner or blow compressed air down thru the line that goes to the exhaust manifold (on a cold non-running engine!), this just forces any loose carbon into the exhaust system. Then start/idle the vehicle & spray carb cleaner into the vacuum port. This will wash any carbon build up into the intake to be burned in the combustion chamber. You should get a strong vacuum out of this line- if it is clean. Hook everything back up & you should be clean as a whistle!
G/luck
Joel

Sorry Rodeo.......my lack of understanding here.

1)So you do not separate the EGR from the manifold?

2)and do you spray into the vacuum hose or port on the EGR valve? (I know you said port buT I want to check)

3) This will not clean the ports internal to the manifold then (I think this should be obvious to me but it isn't)?

Thanks

1) Yes. By disconnecting the EGR in/out lines + the vac line to the diaphragm, the EGR valve can be removed.

2) Spray into the port/tube going TO the intake manifold (will have vacuum on it at idle)

3) By doing #2, you are cleaning the full length of this line, including what is internal to the intake manifold.

*Like I said- I have not done this to a windstar (yet), however all EGR systems have the same basic components. You may want to invest in a ford service manual for specifics.

G/luck
Joel

Thanks Rodeo2,

I have aAhynes for my 99 3.8L. I was planning to remove the EGR valve and spray into the manifold which as you suggest clean the tube and ports. I did not think the engine would run with the EGR valve off and a huge gaping hole.

That should be a Haynes. (I need to preview before posting)

...I did not think the engine would run with the EGR valve off and a huge gaping hole.

With the EGR valve off- the van will run a bit rough due to the vac leak & may sound rough too, due to some exhaust escaping out the feed pipe. You will also likely get a "check engine light" from temporarily running this way. Pull a battery cable for 30min to reset the CEL after the job is complete.

G/luck
Joel

I thought about what you had wriiten. and maybe now I understand it better. If one disconnects the exhaust port on the EGR valve and runs the enigne the valve should open up and thus there will be a direct route into the egr ports where one could spray cleaner.

The trouble is there will be no vacuum to a completley clogged port to attract the cleaner and

There is not way I would be able to get the exhaust tube disconnected. Is there some trick?

Thanks

When I wrote "with the the EGR off" I mean with the valve physically removed from the van. With the valve assmebly removed & the van running, you will have some free flowing exhaust out of the feed pipe, and some vacuum on the pipe to the intake (little vac if it's plugged with carbon). If you kept the EGR valve in place & hooked to it's vac supply line to the dome (to actuate the valve) it would NOT open at idle. Exhaust gas recirulation only takes place on a warm engine at easy highyway type speeds. EGR is disabled on: 1) cold engne 2) at idle condtions 3) at wide open throttle.
G/luck
Joel

I doubt I will be able to disconnect the exhaust from the EGR valve. I tried but I did not want to exert too much force.

Any ideas?

Heat, several applications of a penetrating oil and a BIG wrench will likely be needed :banghead: .
G/luck
Joel

I read something about using Carb cleaner while applying TSB 03-16-1 (that one about codes 171/174). The instructions say NOT to use Carb or brake cleaner to find vacuum line leaks (I'm translating this from french). It says that these cleaners may damage bearings of variable geometry intake system. Would this warning appy here?

I read something about using Carb cleaner while applying TSB 03-16-1 (that one about codes 171/174). The instructions say NOT to use Carb or brake cleaner to find vacuum line leaks (I'm translating this from french). It says that these cleaners may damage bearings of variable geometry intake system. Would this warning appy here?

I would NOT use brake cleaner. The solvents in brake cleaner will damage painted surfaces & can harm seals & gaskets. Carb cleaner wont harm those. Probably the safest medium for finding a vacuum leak is water mist.

G/luck
Joel

how else could someone find leak in the vac hose? I believe that i have this problem with ym van. Should i just replace all the hoses in my engine compartment? any suggestions would greatly be apreciated.