EGR cleaning....

takza · Post by **takza** » Fri May 28, 2004 5:12 am

Finally got around to testing the EGR on my Tercel and find that it doesn't work and that the vac modulator doesn't test out right.

Also found that the vac line on the EGR and Vac mod were switched and that a restricter was missing from a vac line.

Haven't tested the TVSV yet.

Note:

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO CLEAN THE CARBON OUT OF THE EGR VALVE PASSAGE ON THE ENGINE BEFORE INSTALLING THE NEW VALVE

This is with a car that gets 32-33 MPG overall and has good power.

Is there anything other than a screwdriver that will cut carbon?

Does anyone have any hints on this job??????

GTSSportCoupe · Post by **GTSSportCoupe** » Fri May 28, 2004 9:26 am

Try soaking it in gasoline overnight, it might make it really easy to remove. You could also try gasket remover or carb cleaner. Both are VERY heavy duty cleaners. You can use a combination of a screw driver and pipe cleaner brush. Should be able to get it all perfectly clean.

sacwac · Post by **sacwac** » Mon May 31, 2004 5:01 pm

takza,

I tired using a screwdriver to pick at the carbon.... It was way too plugged up. That carbon is some tough stuff. Rather than immersing the entire egr into fluid, it might be better to only let the carbon part below the surface of the cleanser. There might be rubber or something inside the egr that doesn't like solvents!

Gasoline Fumes · Post by **Gasoline Fumes** » Mon May 31, 2004 8:21 pm

I used PB Blaster to unstick an EGR valve (on a Metro). I was using carb cleaner with little success, but the PB Blaster seemed to soften up the carbon and get the valve moving again.

takza · Post by **takza** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 3:57 am

PBBlaster might be what would work...anything that will penetrate in and between clogged/closed surfaces.

Thereminator · Post by **Thereminator** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 1:44 pm

:blink: Takza,what are some comon negitive side~efects caused by a non~working EGR? :blink:

takza · Post by **takza** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 6:32 pm

As far as I know....

* no EGR = poorer MPG

* no EGR = runs hotter

* no EGR = tendency to carbon up the combustion chamber & oil

My car was getting 32-33 MPG and good power, but my converter was getting too hot and I can always use more MPG....if that's what I get.

Getting the EGR working and getting the hoses on right (I think) ended up causing my idle speed to not drop below 1500 RPM. Found that the screw adjustment on the throttle positioner at the front of the carb was off. I had messed around with a bunch of stuff when I first got the car to try and get it running right...didn't want to read the manual.

Then I broke the TVSV putting the vac hose back on it....then found that Toyota wants $107 for this little brass & plastic POS...so I'm going to glue it back together....it had been glued before. It's easy to bump it and break off the top.

Fingers · Post by **Fingers** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 10:48 pm

My egr is completely clogged, couldn't seem to clean it, couldn't find a replacement. Actually, I just picked up one this weekend along with a carb to rebuild.

My car runs super cool, and the oil comes out clean as could be. Now, as far as mpg, since I mostly do city driving, I have no idea what to expect for mpg. On the highway I get great mileage. I believe the egr valve not functioning can make the car run rough when it is slightly warm, my old camry ran like crap warm, but fine cold and hot, and in some cars will make it run totally crappy if at all, my dad had a gmc van that ran like poop when the egr was bad. The egr allows exahust fumes to be redirected into the fuel/air system to help more efficiently burn the combination. It usually opens when the engine warms up, and is under partial throttle. Some say that a stuck valve can cause pinging and detonation (closed) or a bad vac leak (open). Mine is stuck closed, and seems alright though.

At the yard, I pulled many of these off, trying to find a decent one, and all of them were severly clogged, except one. And some of these cars had just over 100,000 miles. I assume most 3a and 4a's probably are clogged and the people just don't know it. I won't replace mine until I finish the carb, so I really won't know exactly if it made any kind of difference. BTW, since switching to Synth oil, I have felt a slight difference in acceleration, and spinning tires. Just though I'd throw that in!

warbstrd · Post by **warbstrd** » Wed Jun 02, 2004 12:59 am

you can get that tvsv off any 3ac tercel at junkyard....got mine for a dollar and off of a 3-door tercel. mine broke on a stress point and the glue didnt hold it good.

takza · Post by **takza** » Wed Jun 02, 2004 6:01 am

Haven't looked real hard, but there aren't a lot of old Tercels sitting around in yards in this area. Not a big demand for parts? So they get crushed.

As far as the EGR clogging...even if you find one that isn't...it will need cleaning eventually....just takes some time.

I find that it's easier to just fix or clean stuff than running around trying to find another part...espec $107 POS parts. <_<

I'm using Mobil 10W30 synth in mine...Walmart now sells thier own brand of synth oil for a real good price...supposed to be made by Pennzoil / Quaker State.

warbstrd · Post by **warbstrd** » Wed Jun 02, 2004 7:37 pm

i only use synthetic in all my vehicles, including lawn mowers, weed eaters and my stihl chainsaw. well it was time for the 5000 mile checkup on my harley and i changed to synthetic everything. afterwards, i have a fuel gauge verses a reserve, i went 130 miles and the gas gauge hadnt gotten close to the red line. just to make sure i filled up (normally at 130 miles im on fumes) and checked my gas mileage 1/2 city and highway driving i got 37 miles to the gallon versus 27...all that was changed was the fluids, spark plug and air filter was not changed (i have a K&N filter on it). i have been and always will be a firm believer in synthetic fluids.

warbstrd · Post by **warbstrd** » Sun Jun 06, 2004 7:48 pm

$266.00 FOR A NEW EGR VALVE!!!!! jeeeesus.... i vote for cleaning it
my wifes egr valve for her 1996 chevy impalla SS only cost 345.00 and that included installation.....

arbskynxnex · Post by **arbskynxnex** » Sun Jun 06, 2004 8:43 pm

takza wrote: Haven't looked real hard, but there aren't a lot of old Tercels sitting around in yards in this area. Not a big demand for parts? So they get crushed.

As far as the EGR clogging...even if you find one that isn't...it will need cleaning eventually....just takes some time.

I find that it's easier to just fix or clean stuff than running around trying to find another part...espec $107 POS parts. <_<

I used an EGR off of a 4a-lc, it is exactly the same. If the junkyards have old corollas, you might want to snag the EGR if the price is decent.

Jonymoto · Post by **Jonymoto** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 3:56 am

I know this an old thread, but I cleaned my EGR this weekend. I used oven cleaner and it worked. The hardest part was cleaning the small metal tube screwed to the egr

Tercel4WD.com

EGR cleaning....

Re: EGR cleaning....