How does an EGR Valve work?

The EGR valve (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) is a mandatory engine part of all diesel and some petrol vehicles. It limits gas emissions, which are harmful for people and for the environment by recirculating a portion of the exhaust gases from the engine back into the combustion process.

Thus NOx, composed of nitric acid and nitrogen dioxide, are partially burnt in your engine when it is at low-load and running at an engine speed that varies according to vehicle brands. Of course, this has consequences on the engine clogging and on the EGR valve.

Australia Wide Coverage

Experienced Vehicle Technicians

Same Day Service

How and why does an EGR valve get clogged?

Over time and depending on the driving style, the EGR valve accumulates soot and eventually gets clogged. If it is blocked in closed position, your vehicle will normally run, but you will pollute more and will fail the technical inspection.

On the other hand, with an open valve, you will strongly damage your air intake system and cause other failures which can be very expensive to replace.

Blocking or removing the EGR valve is prohibited by the law and you will surely be refused at the technical inspection. It is important to sometimes clean your EGR valve to avoid its replacement.

Why should you clean the EGR valve?

The maintenance of your engine is essential to increase the lifespan of your vehicle. Australian DPF Centre can carryout EGR cleaning which will:

Remove gum, varnish, soot and deposits from the EGR valve

Ensure perfect combustion

Limit fuel overconsumption

Prevent the formation of deposits

Restore airflow to the combustion chambers and eliminates holes in the acceleration

How to know if the EGR valve needs to be cleaned?

Prevention is always better than cure. There are many symptoms that can alert you before the engine failure. It never seems to be serious at first, but the consequences can be very expensive if you do not act:

Increased black exhaust smoke

Orange or red warning lights

Lack of power at low speed

Poor fuel consumption

Noticeable decline in performance

Rough idle and poor acceleration if the EGR valve is stuck open