Cleaning The EGR Valve

[autolodge]

I am working on a 05 F550 6.0L that Is hard starting and puffing white smoke. I scanned it with a modis and it is kicking both EGR codes. Am I out of line to think it is the EGR cooler? The owner is convinced it is head gaskets but after searching this site, I am thinking of doing the oil cooler and egr cooler first. My gut says I am right but is there a good way to test for Head gaskets vs. EGR cooler?

[jpross555]

Diesel Power magazine's June 2009 edition has a basic pictoral outlining the replacement (and complete removal) of the EGR, emphasizing that its removal is for off road applications only. (nothing like covering your butt 3 times within an article).

[MIKE_ANTHONY]

Thanks for the great information! ! Learning how to take care of the Diesel Motors! !

[Albin]

Originally Posted by autolodge

I am working on a 05 F550 6.0L that Is hard starting and puffing white smoke. I scanned it with a modis and it is kicking both EGR codes. Am I out of line to think it is the EGR cooler? The owner is convinced it is head gaskets but after searching this site, I am thinking of doing the oil cooler and egr cooler first. My gut says I am right but is there a good way to test for Head gaskets vs. EGR cooler?

A friend of mine just went through this. His problem turned out to be a plugged oil cooler and bad EGR cooler. After all this was taken care of (at the tune of $2200), then and only then could they test for potential head gasket failure - turned out OK.

I understand you can do the test yourself with a kit from NAPA but I've never done it. It tests the coolant for exhaust gases - if it fails it's either the EGR cooler or heads or both. But you can't tell if it's the heads until you fix the EGR.

Do you have a coolant filter installed? If not, you probably have a plugged or partially plugged oil cooler, leading to the EGR flash boiling the coolant, causing puking and eventually EGR cooler failure.

Hope this helps.

Al

[onyx]

Originally Posted by jpb620

ford has a o ring kit for the egr and you can clean it yourself

Maybe you can help. Truck runs crappy. Rough idle sometimes, and bucks back and forth at about 50 mph. Codes show P0401- egr insuff. flow and P0402- Excessive flow. I pulled the egr and cleaned it, though I don't know if it was clean enough, but it didn't make a difference. Should I try to clean it again or do I need to buy a new one. There are some on e bay for sale have you heard anything bad buying used one?

[rcgreg]

WYNN'S products is marketing a kit that will clean out all that gunk from the intake manifold. Check with them to find a dealer in your area that offers that service.

[Rollingrock]

ok, where is this ERG in the 06?

[OT]

Lots of nice pics/info. here Powerstroke 6.0L Technical Intro Manual

[GrampyJim]

Originally Posted by biofumes

Anyone know if this is true?

The Ford PC/ED (powertrain control/emissions diagnostic) manual tells us that when we replace the EGR valve we need to repeat the KOEO OnDemand self test. During this test, the PCM "learns" the EGR closed position.

FWIW... initially, Ford had us replace EGR valves. Once they were idnetified as a pattern failure, they issued a TSB having us clean them. That didn't last very long and we returned to replacing them due to repeat concerns...

YMMV and whatever floats your boat...

After any EGR changes... replacement or cleaning, I highly recommend running the KOEO on-demand self test to establish the EGR valve closed position baseline....