EGR valve

Oh my God!!! EGR valves are expensive. $265.00

I went to get a check engine light diagnosed at the local Canadian tire and they found that the EGR valve was faulty. My car runs fine but I hate to see the check Engine lights on the car so I brought it in.

My questions are as follows:

1. Can a 1993 Lesabre EGR valve fit in a 2001 car. I ask this because I still have my old car in the driveway (waiting to be towed away to car heaven)? As far as I know that EGR was functioning perfectly.

2. What does the EGR do? Since my car is running nicely with an EGR that is faulty will this have some long term effect on my car?

Thanks for the replys.

There should be no detrimental effects on the operation nor reliability with a faulty EGR valve.

However, depending upon the trouble code, the EGR itself might not be the faulty. Do you recall the error code number?

Yes I had two codes present

1. P0404 EGR feedback signal out of range

2. P1404 EGR - 2 position error / EGR closed performance

Now just to clarify - I didn't just ask the mechanic to grab the codes ($40.00 dollar job), I also asked him to diagnose ($80.00 job). So I'm hoping he actually tested the EGR. I think he did.

He told me that the EGR was stuck open/closed (can't remember which). Most likely cause was that it was corroded inside.

I purchased a new EGR but I remembered that my 93 Lesabre just sitting there so I thought before I open up the new one I should ask about the 93 Lesabre's possibly fitting my 2001 Lesabre's. If it does that would save me the $265.00.

Sounds like your mechanic is on target. Both DTCs are an EGR valve circuit performance error. For P1404 when commanded closed the PCM module is detecting a stuck open condition. The actual pintle position it is seeing is greater than 3.91 counts from the closed position which is abnormal. For P0404 it is detecting that the pintle position error is too large. The pintle position error between the desired and actual positions is greater than 15% which is abnormal.

The 3.8L Vin "L" and Series II 3800 "K" engine EGR valves are not the same nor interchangeable. It is an expensive part.

Well thanks for the replies. That is a shame that they are not interchangable. Oh well cars can be expensive sometimes. Thats life.

Remove the ERG valve. Clean the valve pintle and seat, and apply some light engine oil or ATF to the pintle stem of the valve.

The PCM is telling you that it is stepping the coils of the EGR valve to close, but the valve is not complying. That could be because the EGR valve stepper motor coils are damaged, the feedback circuit is damaged, or because there may be carbon deposits in the seat or on the pintle, and/or the pintle stem may be sticking.

The valve is reasonably easy to access. Remove it, scrape the carbon from the pintle and seat area, and use any cleaning solvents sparingly. Apply some lubricant through the exhaust side of the valve port to allow it to coat the pintle stem, then install and connect the valve. Clear the DTCs and drive it some more. Of course, the oil will burn away, but it may restore operation of the valve before it does.

Unless you have a bidirectional scanner and can command the EGR valve to a given position, it doesn't make sense to replace the valve on a hunch.

Take note that he claims he already has the new part. With it sitting in front of my face I wouldn't hesitate to replace it and not waste any time. Also, make sure a new EGR flange gasket is installed.

I purchased a new EGR but I remembered that my 93 Lesabre just sitting there so I thought before I open up the new one I should ask about the 93 Lesabre's possibly fitting my 2001 Lesabre's. If it does that would save me the $265.00.

I read that part, but I thought that he might be able to save a couple hundred Loonies if he just cleaned the old one and restored operation. That's almost a full tank of gas - Even in Canada. Either way, the old valve has to come off. It wouldn't hurt to inspect it for problems while it's out and the new one is still returnable.

And be careful - "Rasp" may just as easily be a "she" as a "he."

:lol:

The stipulation is if that is the issue (mechanical not electrical) and actually resolves the issue which has to be checked by first clearing the DTCs and then driving the drive cycles necessary to trigger the DTCs or not trigger if the test passes, otherwise it is just more work. EGR valve cleaning very seldom if ever resolves those respective DTCs based on my experiences, however, it doesn't hurt to make sure the spring loaded pintle moves freely though. Depending on his weather conditions it could be iced over but I doubt it.

Based on the OP's prior post history I seriously doubt he is a she. :wink:

Well I'm for sure a HE!!!

At least last time I checked.

As for cleaning the old EGR. I'm lazy!! I'd rather just switch for a new/ different one, even with the prices they are.

As for icing (freezing) let me tell you that is very possible with the temperatures we have here. I'm looking at -50 winchills at the moment. What a crazy country I live in. But I don't think it is that because I normally park my car in my garage which is relatively warm compared to outside.

I really hope we warm up soon because I don't even want to go in the garage to work on the car at the moment.


Rasp

wow mine only cost 160 try to find a autozone man.

wow mine only cost 160 try to find a autozone man.

Autozone in Canada? I don't think so.