Cleaning EGR Valve (with Pictures)

[sunshn1972]

I cleaned my EGR valve today. I wasn't having any problems, it was just preventive maintenance. My 98 SL2 is at almost 121,000 miles, and as far as I know the EGR valve has never been cleaned. I was surprised that there was almost no build up on it. A few sprays of carb cleaner and a toothbrush got it shining in just a few minutes.

So here's what I did, with pictures.

[sunshn1972]

1. Find the EGR valve. Since I had never heard of such a thing until about a month ago, this was an interesting task.

[sunshn1972]

2. I removed the air intake tube to make it easier to get to the EGR valve. Remove the electrical connector from the top.

[sunshn1972]

3. There is a bracket that has to e removed (see photo). Then remove the two bolts holding the EGR in place. One of them is under the lower end of the bracket.

[sunshn1972]

4. Once the EGR valve is off, spray some carb cleaner in the two holes under the spot the valve came off. You can see the gasket in this picture, it didn't come off with the valve. Don't get any carb cleaner on the gasket.

[sunshn1972]

5. Hold the EGR valvehorizontally and spray carb cleaner on the pinktle (see picture). I used a regular toothbrush to clean the pintle, but I had hardly any buildup.

[sunshn1972]

6. Put it all back together inteh reverse order.

It was easier that I expected. Except for dropping the 10mm socket under the air filter and taking it off to get the socket back. Also, it would have been nice to have a deep well 10mm socket to get the bolt off that was under the bracket. I was able to do it with a standard socket, but not easily.

Let me know if I missed anything!

[phile]

Thanks! My 1992 SL2 was running like goat manure. I took the EGR valve off and cleaned it. Runs perfect!

[m.dolan]

sunshn1972 your timing on this topic for me was perfect, being a new member to this wonderful forum, I needed to ask about this same topic. your pics were just right. Am I right to assume that the soleniod and the valve are as one unit?

[Phredawgy]

Originally Posted by m.dolan

sunshn1972 your timing on this topic for me was perfect, being a new member to this wonderful forum, I needed to ask about this same topic. your pics were just right. Am I right to assume that the soleniod and the valve are as one unit?

If yours is identical to the pictures then that is your EGR valve...electronic instead of vacuumed I spent alot of time looking for the mushroomish EGR that the Haynes manual was showing(and that I have in a different vehicle)

[JaeMarie]

Originally Posted by sunshn1972

I cleaned my EGR valve today. I wasn't having any problems, it was just preventive maintenance. My 98 SL2 is at almost 121,000 miles, and as far as I know the EGR valve has never been cleaned. I was surprised that there was almost no build up on it. A few sprays of carb cleaner and a toothbrush got it shining in just a few minutes.

So here's what I did, with pictures.

Thanks a million, fixed a P1404 by searching for it here. took me no time to find a FAQ. removed the intake on the 2000 sl2 to make it easier, probably not necessary though.

thank you autozone for pulling the code and saturnfans for posting a how-to; saved our family $150+. Much luv.

[GlennCoco]

Besides a 10mm socket, do I need anything else for this?

[Phredawgy]

Originally Posted by GlennCoco

Besides a 10mm socket, do I need anything else for this?

Couple rags, used toothbrush, carb cleaner and a new gasket.

If you start the vehicle with the EGR off without beginning the cleaning process it will be loud as hell but you'll get alot of gunk out of there before hand

[David 93 SL2m]

Originally Posted by Phredawgy

...and a new gasket.

Gaskets are not expensive and I recommend replacing them rather than reusing them.

[GlennCoco]

OK, I have the thing off. It's bigger than I thought. Am I supposed to have taken the whole thing off? It's got a big round black thing on the top of it.

Also, I think I read somewhere else that you're supposed to make sure the pintle moves freely. How do I test that exactly?

[rlhdghhmh]

are the instructions for the DOHC the same as the SOHC is it in the same place?

[madpogue]

Glen, yes, the electronic EGR valve is pretty big. You can test the movement of the pintle by pushing on it GENTLY with a screwdriver tip or the like.

Rlhdg... (why didn't you buy a vowel?), the EGR valve is a little further back on the SOHC, on the intake manifold. But the directions are pretty-much the same. When you remove the air intake tube, you'll see it.

[L100andSW2]

Just got in from following this procedure and smooth sailing. Mine had plenty of carbon crud to clean off. Maybe the first time it's been done in the SW2's 13 yrs, 139,000 miles.

Side note - the ECTS is below the EGR. With EGR set to the side, did the ECTS change procedure and its was easier since could see and reach around better. The old ECTS was plastic type and cracked, replaced with brass unit. Used this thread for instructions:

http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24003

[duganator]

I hate to be that guy, but how do you know if you need to clean the egr?

[saturnchap]

I guess mine is due!I've had it 5 years and never cleaned it.I guess that's why she's getting lazy in hills.