What happens when your EGR valve goes bad?

What happens when your EGR valve goes bad?

A faulty EGR valve can cause problems with the flow and operation of the EGR system leading to performance issues including a reduction in power, reduced acceleration and decreased fuel efficiency. EGR valves can become stuck ‘open’ or ‘closed’ due to a build-up of soot particles, carbon deposits and dirt from fuel.

Can you drive with a failed EGR valve?

Can I drive with a bad EGR valve? Technically, you can drive your vehicle with a bad EGR valve, but your vehicle will run rough, shake at idle, and a check engine light will be illuminated. You might also hear popping sounds while driving down the road.

What does the EGR valve control?

It connects the exhaust manifold to the intake manifold and is controlled by either a vacuum or a built-in electric step motor. The function of the EGR valve is to control the flow of exhaust gas being recirculated depending on the engine load.

Where is the EGR control valve located?

intake manifold
The EGR valve is usually located near or attached to the intake manifold, with a tube running to the exhaust manifold. There should also be a vacuum or electrical connector (or both) running to the valve which will need to be detached.

Does EGR valve affect Turbo?

The EGR valve is likely to stick and become coked up on some applications. BTN Turbo warns that this can have a significant effect on turbocharger performance. A faulty EGR valve can result in excessive carbon/soot at the turbine end, causing the VNT mechanism to stick.

How do I know if my EGR valve is open or closed?

A vacuum-controlled EGR valve is easy to test with a hand-held vacuum pump (see the image). If the EGR valve opens and the vacuum holds for more than a minute, the EGR valve works. If a vacuum diaphragm inside the EGR valve is leaking, the vacuum will drop. Once the vacuum is released, the valve should close fully.