DIY EGR clean help

CHID0

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Just did my boy's egr a few weeks ago after he got this code and his car was puttering. Hasn't happened since and no code. As a precaution I'm going to clean mine as soon as i get a chance. Already have the gasket and it literally takes 15 mins....
 

CG6Lemon

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Just did my boy's egr a few weeks ago after he got this code and his car was puttering. Hasn't happened since and no code. As a precaution I'm going to clean mine as soon as i get a chance. Already have the gasket and it literally takes 15 mins....

make a diy plz to save people time and headaches. :lawl:
 

ZFreak

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I'll take plenty of pics. I'm probably going to do it this weekend if the parts from Majestic Honda show up in time.


My car will throw the CEL when I'm coming to a stop early in the morning, the car acts like it wants to die, but doesn't die (idle goes down to like 400rpm) as it's doing that, I see the CEL light come on. I check the code instantly on my scanguage, and it's a P0401. (EGR insufficient flow)
 

ZFreak

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I'll probably make a DIY. The gaskets still haven't shown up, but I have a spare TB gasket laying around (new in OEM packaging nonetheless), and I guess I'll reuse the other two gaskets.

I"m more motivated than ever now to get into this. The car is getting worse as the week wears on. It completely died this morning going down my street when leaving my driveway shifting from 1st gear to 2nd as I pushed the clutch pedal in. Started it back up and the P0401 light came back on. (I reset it again with my scanguage II and it went away).

You have to remember that I put about 250-300 miles a day on my accord, so it gets "accelerated" wear compared to your everyday joe's accord. (a mix of about 80/20 hwy/city driving for me). Pics and a DIY to come.


EDIT>>> and the Seafoam didn't fix this either. I tried that when it first happened.
 

sodaks2k

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EDIT>>> and the Seafoam didn't fix this either. I tried that when it first happened.

Seafoam may actually make it worse. I seafoamed my car and a week later the CEL came on (P0401). My theory was the port was already partially clogged and when I seafoamed all of the loose carbon piled up even more in the port. What do I know though. :)
 

ZFreak

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Well, here's my contribution... I had other things on my mind other than taking pictures, but here's a few:

P0401 CEL code: (as read from my OBDII Scanguage II that I leave in my accord at all times)
DSC_4071.jpg




I marked the 5 bolts that have to come off. The back ones are a little tougher, but I used a 3" extension for the rears, and a 6" extension for the 3 fronts. I believe all 5 are 12mm. Two fronts are nuts, one is a bolt, and the two rears are bolts.


I did not need to unhook the coolant lines, etc. I just unhooked a few of the electrical sensors, took my picks and scrapers and some carb cleaner and went at at. I was able to move the IM enough so I could get to everything I needed to.


Total time: 25-30 minutes.

DSC_4072.jpg




You can see mine was pretty blocked. The top part on the IM was VERY bad.

DSC_4079.jpg




Since I put it back together, it idles VERY smooth now, no CEL, and it seems a bit more responsive as I let off the clutch pedal starting out.


When I have more time another weekend I'll probably take it all off and clean it up, as there's a lot residual oil/nastiness in the intake manifold.


I'm not sure if this caused the blockage, but it sure didn't help it, but my intake pipe apparently fell off for about 2 weeks (where it connects to the throttle body) and it was sucking in unfiltered, dirty air for about 2000 miles. (I put about 1000 miles a week on my accord, usually more).
 

tunedaccord

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i know this is old but does any1 have a more detail diy on this. i need to take my car for emissions by this month
 

Russianred

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Exactly what details do you want/need?

For the record - it is not mainly the EGR valve that needs to be serviced and cleaned, it's mostly the EGR channel - it gets extremely gunked up with oil and sludge. Both the input channel to the valve, and the output channel from the valve must be cleaned by the following method.

If you are wondering how to clean out that gunked up EGR passage - be creative. I used a coat hanger with the end bent over in a loop to which I fastened steel wool and one of those green dish scrubbies. I used Purple Power degreaser to loosen up the sh*t, and just cleaned back and forth. Make sure you wash out the port after and do not leave any cleaning residue or wool/scrubbie particles behind.

Removal and installation should be pretty straight forward, as it's been plenty covered in this DIY.

Hope this helps.
 
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tunedaccord

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i got carb cleaner pretty much need to know if i really need to take the whole intake manifold out? or any other hidden parts i cant see. guess i will find out when i get to it this week
 
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