EGR Port/Intake Manifold cleaning

[Roger12g]

Hi guys. So my 2000 V6 is giving me a p0401 EGR code. So I've gone out and bought a big can of carb cleaner and I'm getting ready to devote an afternoon to fixing it.

A Scotty Kilmer(youtube car dude) vid of what I'll be doing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgfT3kuY8lc

Besides simple hand tools, a ride to the auto parts store(if I need to replace any gaskets or need more cleaner) and the good ole google, anything else I should have ready before I start?

Should I worry about torquing the intake manifold? Or just start with the center bolts hand tight, then outside hand tight, and then all others hand tight and then tighten up everything again?

Thanks!

 

[RedRyder]

V6 TSB if you want it: http://www.driveaccord.net/PDF/egr_port_clogging.pdf

Torque specs might be in the FAQ, if not you can find them online. Make sure you tighten the bolts back down in the correct order.

 

[Roger12g]

V6 TSB if you want it: http://www.driveaccord.net/PDF/egr_port_clogging.pdf

Torque specs might be in the FAQ, if not you can find them online. Make sure you tighten the bolts back down in the correct order.

The specs and order are all there, thanks a lot!

Probably should have done a forum search for that link.


Last question, if by some chance this car never had the new EGR sleeve installed, is it a big deal? I assume if it wasn't done, the worst is I might have to repeat this process in another 125,000 miles.

 

[xci.ed6]

The sleeve should help it, preventing carbon accumulation, a big deal though?

I think it's fun to clean egr ports, I like to keep every bit shiny. 125,000 miles doesn't seem like a bad idea to me. But I would expect it may need done in about 10 years.

Time since new is ~15yr, times 2/3 is 10 years, from the last time (now).

 

[Roger12g]

Just picked up some gaskets. Throttle body spacer to manifold tore, so I needed to replace that one. I didn't like the look of the black metal gasket for the plenum, so I'm changing that one too. Now I just need to not be lazy and finish this tonight. I've already stopped twice to eat and go get parts and write this post.

Here are some pics of my clogged and dirty EGR port:
http://imgur.com/a/452Ju



EDIT:

Since I bought the whole gasket set, I suppose I should follow that service bulletin and totally disassemble the manifold.

 

[james'99]

Hopefully your light is out now! Haha!

 

[LeoY]

Just picked up some gaskets. Throttle body spacer to manifold tore, so I needed to replace that one. I didn't like the look of the black metal gasket for the plenum, so I'm changing that one too. Now I just need to not be lazy and finish this tonight. I've already stopped twice to eat and go get parts and write this post.

Here are some pics of my clogged and dirty EGR port:
http://imgur.com/a/452Ju



EDIT:

Since I bought the whole gasket set, I suppose I should follow that service bulletin and totally disassemble the manifold.

Mine was plugged up to the same extent as yours at 154k miles. Don't forget that to reset the engine light you can just pull the clock fuse on the passenger side, it's number 13. Mine has been clear and passed emissions since then.

 

[Roger12g]

Finished up today, thanks everyone!

Buttoned everything up in an hour this morning. Drove a 15mile test drive(not long enough I know, but I'll be driving more later) and no codes. When I've reset the CEL before, it would come on after 10 miles usually. Anyway, everything went back together just fine. Engine is slightly more responsive. 10/10 would do again.