4.6L V8 1995 Lincoln Town Car - OBDII

If you saw the previous post(s), you'll remember that I thought the transmission was slipping. Without a tach, I couldn't tell. According to the transmission shop, my transmission is in good shape. Apparently, the problem really is my engine.

The car has been okay on flat roads, but it is extremely sluggish going up hills.

While driving the vehicle, the check engine light came on. Even though the car was made in late 1994, my Innova scanner from Wallyworld was able to connect and pull a DTC.

Here is the code:
P0401 Generic
Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Insufficient Detected

Does this sound like plugged catalytic converters? Could I take out the cats, gut them out, and reinstall them? Apparently, there are four. I'm afraid the vehicle will just plug up the new ones. It has 180k on it.

Regards

That is your exhaust gas recirculation valve.
It's a device which introduces measured portions of exhaust gases into the intake manifold at certain times. This reduces the combustion chamber temperature and thus reduces the production of oxides of nitrogen (a pollutant).

These valves sometimes fail or become plugged with carbon. Also, sometimes the passages/pipes that provide the exhaust gases break or become plugged with carbon.

Yeah... I little Googling revealed that the code is indeed related to the EGR valve.

What do you think I should do? Should I try taking out the EGR valve and looking? Go to a mechanic? What am I looking at for costs?

If the dealer provided a 30 day express warranty on engine & transmission (pays half) and a 60 day warranty on inspectability, does he have to pay half, all, or none of the costs to fix this problem?

I just got the vehicle this week.

Thanks!

Okay, here's an update.

I did a test. With the transmission in park, I started the car. It starts and idles without any problems. If I give it a little gas, the engine revs a bit. If I floor it, the engine slows down and sounds like it is running roughly. It returns to normal after releasing the gas pedal. Could this be a bad manifold vacuum sensor? What should I try?

Check the DPFE sensor if it is the old metal one it could possibly be bad, ( Testing procedure upon request), or if there is a vacuum resivoiur in the system it could be cracked. You could have plugged EGR ports as previously mentioned, or bad vacuum lines.

1) Pull the Throttle Body off!
2) Clean EGR passages with a Spray carb cleaner.

The EGR Gas plus oil from worn valve seals will block ports on Intake thus throwing a code.

The shop will replace a good EGR valve,reset code,and charge you $500.

During the next drive cycle,the ECU will throw code Again!

MCGIVER