DPFE vs. EGR cleaning?

2000 windstar 91k, it has been hesitating at speeds 30-40 mph, had plugs/wires changed. Still have CEL and hesitation going on, I pulled the EGR plug off and put a stick in the tube, it runs great now, so the question is is it the DPFE or EGR port cleaning that I need. Again when I unhook the EGR valve and "disable" plug it , it runs GREAT! so which is it DPFE vs. EGR port cleaning????????

It could be either one.
The DPFE is the easiest to change.....and...if you are paying to have it done.....the cheapest.
There are a couple of posts on here that tell you how to test the DPFE.

If you have the codes read....and you get a misfire on cylinder #1 or #4 in the codes (P0301, P0304) then I would put money on it being the EGR ports.
Both are a somewhat high failure....at the miles you have.

With the disabling of the EGR valve....I would expect that you added "insufficient EGR flow" to the code(s) stored in the PCM.

where is the DPFE at from the ERG valve?

Sorry, one more thing, if I had to drive the van forever with the EGR disabled, would it do any harm?? Thanks...

Yes, you will do harm. Your cats will die.

My opinion is . . .

If you want to be real cheap about this, . . .

Inspect the two rubber hoses coming off the DFPE gizmo, that attach to the EGR pipe, first. If they're shot, like mine were two years ago, replacing them will solve your vaccum leak, stalling, issue.

If that doesn't work . . .

The DFPE sensor costs about 40 Bucks, and is a two screw fix. Got to the auto parts store, get one, drag a salesperson out of the store, to you're car, and ask him to show you where it goes! It'll be in plain view under your hood somewhere.

If that doesn't work . . .

Go for the EGR port cleaning.

Karl.

I looked under the hood, man it is right smack in plain view, just 2 screws 2 lines and a plug...I called autozone $51 then called ford $80, so I guess I will put one on here in the next few weeks to see what happens, why didnt the repair shop I went to do this in the first place?, they said it needed plugs/wires/fuel filter/injection cleaning???oh well at least I had the plugs/wires done and it's a maint. item anyway.Yes, you will do harm. Your cats will die.

My opinion is . . .

If you want to be real cheap about this, . . .

Inspect the two rubber hoses coming off the DFPE gizmo, that attach to the EGR pipe, first. If they're shot, like mine were two years ago, replacing them will solve your vaccum leak, stalling, issue.

If that doesn't work . . .

The DFPE sensor costs about 40 Bucks, and is a two screw fix. Got to the auto parts store, get one, drag a salesperson out of the store, to you're car, and ask him to show you where it goes! It'll be in plain view under your hood somewhere.

If that doesn't work . . .

Go for the EGR port cleaning.

Karl.

YYYEEEESSSS I put on a $51 DPFE and so far so good, keepin my fingers crossed!!!, why the repair shop did not do this first still bums me. The part is plastic compared to the original metal one though, do these plastic one hold up well???

I looked under the hood, man it is right smack in plain view, just 2 screws 2 lines and a plug...I called autozone $51 then called ford $80, so I guess I will put one on here in the next few weeks to see what happens, why didnt the repair shop I went to do this in the first place?, they said it needed plugs/wires/fuel filter/injection cleaning???oh well at least I had the plugs/wires done and it's a maint. item anyway.

Yes....the plastic ones are just as good....even better than the metal ones. The FORD replacement is most likely plastic.....and many of the after market ones are plastic.

Sorry, one more thing, if I had to drive the van forever with the EGR disabled, would it do any harm?? Thanks...

It would also be environmentally irresponsible asthe EGR system is there to limit NOx emissions.

Yeah, and you don't even want to ask how much new cats from Ford costs... :banghead: