Pics of my EGRs - Will this cause P0401?

shelbydz · **Posted:** Sun Dec 09, 2012 3:26 pm

I removed the EGR from my Liberty yesterday. Here are pictures of the filth:
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2 ... directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/c ... directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/L ... directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/a ... directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/y ... directlink

If you see how clogged the pathway is in that first photo, would THAT cause a P0401 to be thrown even though this is on the FCV?

I read a post where someone cleaned their EGR and was able to 'move the valves'. I don't see how I would do that. Could someone clarify for me.

Thanks,

shelbydz · **Posted:** Sun Dec 09, 2012 4:16 pm

You all should see the soot that came off of the FCV's exhaust intake pipe:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/w ... directlink

Here's that pathway all cleaned up:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/n ... directlink

Seriously, the hole was maybe 30% the original size.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Sun Dec 09, 2012 4:21 pm

That first picture (IMG_20121209_140311.jpg) appears to show a completely plugged "port" off the bottom of the FCV assembly just below the intake elbow (where marmon flange on the other end of the pipe in IMG_20121209_140329.jpg connects). I also note what appears to be reddish RTV sealant on the flange which suggests this has been pulled apart before. If that passage is completely plugged with crud or by a previous owner then you would appear to have no EGR flow at all, ever, which I presume could throw that code. Best see what others say before acting on that opinion though as I've only seen this area once and it wasn't on my CRD; it was on a CRD with an SEGR and GDE tune where that port had been deliberately plugged but the SEGR prevented a CEL.

shelbydz · **Posted:** Sun Dec 09, 2012 6:08 pm

Yeah I really hope that is the only problem. I don't see anything else obviously wrong with the system. Can anyone with more EGR experience chime in?

Thanks!

Hexus · **Posted:** Sun Dec 09, 2012 8:24 pm

I can give you the best response. Get a GDE tune and disable the stupid thing, it won't cause you anything but heartache. I had one replaced and it went bad 2 months later.

Tune it away.

shelbydz · **Posted:** Sun Dec 09, 2012 9:52 pm

I will. I don't have the cash right now and I need to pass inspection this week. If I had $500 for the GDE computer I would've ordered it a while ago.

kjjet · **Posted:** Sun Dec 09, 2012 10:09 pm

Sorry for the bad news, but the fact is you will spend more $$$ trying to fix the EGR than the cost of the tune. Keith at GDE will take care of it.

shelbydz · **Posted:** Mon Dec 10, 2012 8:39 am

I need a quick fix. I just need to turn the light off for a few days to pass inspection. Why is everyone so adamant about spending 500 bucks to do this. There has to be a grassroots way for those of us on a budget.

I've seen posts of people that have done it, just no pictures. Can someone please just tell me how to properly clean the EGR valve?

papaindigo · **Posted:** Mon Dec 10, 2012 9:29 am

Assuming they are still on the forum PM or email uham and benzer. Both of them have posted EGR cleaning tips.

LMWatBullRun · **Posted:** Mon Dec 10, 2012 10:02 am

Cleaning is easy. Fixing the sensor, not so much.

kjjet · **Posted:** Mon Dec 10, 2012 10:39 am

Cleaning the EGR is easy. Remove the motor from the valve and placed it in a coffee can full diesel fuel. You can then use a small brush and move the valve in and out. The bad part is you will not know if the motor is bad and may have done all of this for nothing. It did not help when i did it.

Your best bet is to cover or block the CEL light some way to get thru inspection.

Good luck.

shelbydz · **Posted:** Mon Dec 10, 2012 11:00 am

Thank you. This is what I needed.

kjjet wrote:

Cleaning the EGR is easy. Remove the motor from the valve and placed it in a coffee can full diesel fuel. You can then use a small brush and move the valve in and out. The bad part is you will not know if the motor is bad and may have done all of this for nothing. It did not help when i did it.

Your best bet is to cover or block the CEL light some way to get thru inspection.

Good luck.

shelbydz · **Posted:** Mon Dec 10, 2012 8:48 pm

I got the EGR apart tonight and it looked okay. The valves moved freely before I did anything. I cleaned them and scrubbed them and will put it all back together tomorrow night. I know there are some good posts out there, but I may do a write up and include some pictures while it's still fresh in my head.

I'll let you all know if this takes care of the light, or if I have to take the dash apart and pull the bulb out.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Mon Dec 10, 2012 10:03 pm

It's not a "bulb" it's an LED that soldered in place.

TJ2 · **Posted:** Tue Dec 11, 2012 1:44 am

Utah does not have diesel emission inspection. They do plug them in to a scanner and if it's throwing codes, it will not pass 'safety' inspection. They can be cleared just before you drive in the driveway, but there will be a 'code pending.' That won't pass here either.

If they just look for a CEL, you'd be ok.

BlackLibertyCRD · **Posted:** Tue Dec 11, 2012 1:58 am

P0401 Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Insufficient Flow. I think you found the problem with it being plugged. Clean away and hope for the best. :BANANA:

manuel754 · **Joined:** Wed Jul 14, 2010 9:15 pm **Posts:** 35

i swear to the CRD gods that i used the silver bottle of diesel fuel additive purchased at wal-mart in heavy doses to remedy this ..... i saw black resin dripping out of it....
i stumbled on this because i replaced the fuel filter and had no diesel on hand... but i had the additive and filled the filter up with that ... drove it for 40 miles and the light went out...i was shocked ..... it was on for several months prior to this .... this is the silver bottle of the 911 brand ( red bottle) the silver bottle is a cleaner ( sorry forgot the brand name)

shelbydz · **Posted:** Sat Dec 29, 2012 9:50 pm

Wow interesting tip. I'm 9/10 the way through EGR surgery right now, but I think this is a good something to keep in our back pockets for others with EGR woes.

Pics of my EGRs - Will this cause P0401?

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