The EGR system reduces the NOx in the exhaust fumes by returning a small portion of the exhaust gases back to the engines combustion chambers. The EGR system connects the air intake system and the exhaust manifold through a set of pipes, chambers and an EGR valve. By recirculating the cold air from the intake with the hot exhaust gases this lowers the combustion temperatures and therefore reduces the amount of NOx your vehicle emits.

NOx is a harmful pollutant that is correlated with damage to the environment. It has also been proven to have serious health implications when ingested over a period.

Euro 6 emissions standards (diesel)were set with the aim to reduce pollutants including nitrogen oxide (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (THC and NMHC) and particulate matter (PM), which is the soot from diesel cars.

Diesel vehicles permitted level of NOx emitted has dropped to a maximum of 0.08g/km, compared to the 0.18g/km level that was maximum level on the previous Euro 5 emissions standard.

The main component of the EGR system is the EGR valve, this valve normally remains closed. It is operated by either an electric motor or by vacuum operated motor. The EGR valve will open and shut as it controls the flow of exhaust gas to correlate with the engine load/speed.

As the EGR system is continually passes gases that contain high levels of carbon through the system, it is common for the EGR valve to gather carbon build up. If the EGR has too much carbon build up it will be prone to sticking and the valve will get clogged up.

If your EGR valve is struggling to operate normally, your vehicle will normally develop faults that are indicative of a failed EGR valve. The following symptoms could be associated with an EGR fault:

• MIL Light On/Flashing Emissions Coil light
• Faulty EGR temperature Sensor
• Faulty EGR Cooler
• Engine is stalling
• Engine is struggling to start
• EGR system is leaking air/boost
• Surging on acceleration
• Limp mode activated due to EGR fault
• Pinging in the combustion chamber due to incorrect air fuel ratio (AFR)
• Excessive Black Smoke
• DPF Faults maybe associated with EGR issues
• EGR issues may also impact the Adblue® system
• Vehicle has engaged limp mode

If the EGR Valves becomes stuck and allows gases to flood the combustion chambers. This will create a leak under boost conditions and affect the vehicles performance. If the vehicle develops a boost leak this will create thicker black smoke due the unburnt fuel being deposited in the combustion chamber.

These types of faults can have a negative impact on other emission systems such as the DPF. If the EGR is making it so the engine cannot burn the delivered fuel, the exhaust gases will have too much soot for the DPF to function normally and this will block far quicker than normal.

A clogged EGR valve could result in the engine to having excessive ignition pre-ignition, this can cause internal engine damage to the valves and pistons.

There are two lights MIL lights that can illuminate when the EGR sensors indicate a malfunction. The first is the flashing ignition coil light, as the EGR system is emissions related a fault can be indicted when this light flashes.

The second is permanent MIL engine light, this light is illuminated when the vehicle has stored a fault code relating to the EGR system:

P0401 – Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Insufficient Detected

EGR valve is not opening all the way due to a low vacuum

opening the valve from the EGR control solenoid or the EGR and unable to hold vacuum.

EGR temperature sensor is not registering enough of a temperature change when the EGR valve is opened.

EGR passages are partly blocked and will not allow enough flow of exhaust gases into the intake manifold

P0403 – Exhaust Gas Recirculation Circuit Malfunction

ECU monitors the EGR vacuum control solenoid voltage and has detected a short or open circuit to the solenoid.

EGR vacuum control solenoid is shorted or open internally.

Solenoid connection potentially corroded and losing connections.

Unfortunately, the EGR system is prone to faults and these systems often fail or malfunction at some point during a vehicles service life.

Our technicians are fully trained and use advanced diagnostics to pinpoint faults with the EGR system and other emission related faults.

Click here to book in for an inspection or mobile appointment

Our team of technicians are equipped with dealer level tools and are all highly trained in EGR and Emissions related diagnostics.

 

 

 

 

 

Our technicians are able to diagnose EGR and emissions faults by checking:

• fault codes affecting the mechanical operation of the EGR System
• fault codes affecting the electrical operation of the EGR System
• Can the EGR be operated with diagnostic to check functionality
• Visually check wiring and connections to the EGR control solenoid & EGR temperature sensor
• EGR valve and temperature sensor to check for excessive carbon build up or partial blockage of the EGR tubes from the valve to the intake manifold.
• EGR temperature sensor changes and engine to bog down when the EGR is opened.
• Visually checks the vacuum hoses, wiring, and connections to the EGR valve and control solenoid along with the EGR temperature sensor
• Diagnostic Smoke Test to see if there is any leaks in the EGR and EVAP system

Our advanced diagnostic tools can communicate with your vehicle pinpoint any faults relating to the EGR and emissions system.

Click here to book book your vehicle in for a diagnostic check up

• Call out Including diagnostic check £80 + VAT
• EVAP Smoke Testing £60 + VAT (click for more info on Evap testing)

Sometimes the EGR system can fail and impact the DPF & Adblue® functions. Our expert team of technicians are experienced in using advanced diagnostics to pinpoint faults relating to any emissions faults your vehicle may have developed.

For more information on Adblue® & DPF please click the links to our information posts.

If you are experiencing problems with your EGR System please give one the team a message

Click here to book an inspection at our Service and Fitting centre in Leeds

Click here to Book a mobile technician

Using our ECU tuning / programming tools, we can electronically shut the EGR valve and stop the EGR system from activating. We disable the EGR system from functioning and completely reprogram the engine management system, it does not register or activate any fault lights or safety functions relating to this system once programmed.

Some vehicles will require physical blanking of the EGR Valve to disable the system fully. A metal plate pre-cut to the size of the EGR will be inserted to blank the valve.

If the EGR Delete software for the vehicle is not installed or correctly calibrated it could eventually result in further mechanical faults.

EGR Delete & EGR Blanking can be a cost-effective solution and you will gain the following advantages:

• Reduced Maintenance Costs
• Permanent Solution

If you want to enquire about our EGR Delete Software & EGR Blanking, please click send a message here. (link here)

*Our EGR Delete Software & EGR Blanking is for off-road use only. Although it is not illegal for us to reprogram the EGR system to not function, it is an offence under the Road vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations (Regulation 61a(3))1 to use a vehicle which has been modified in such a way that it no longer complies with the air pollutant emissions standards it was designed to meet.

We offer our EGR cleaning service where we will decarbonise the EGR system. We will physically remove the EGR system from the vehicle and use cleaning agents to remove any offending carbonised build up to allow free movement of the EGR valve once again.

Pricing starts at £80 + VAT for EGR removal and cleaning (this may vary dependant on make/model and time required)

Click here to book your vehicle in to have the EGR system cleaned

Euro 6 is a set of regulations placed on the motor industry to reduce harmful pollutants from vehicle emissions implemented 1^st September 2014 (new Approvals) & 1^st September 2015 (New Registrations)

 

My car newly registered from:	Emissions standard
31 December 1992	Euro 1
1 January 1997	Euro 2
1 January 2001	Euro 3
1 January 2006	Euro 4
1 January 2011	Euro 5
1 September 2015 – but see important note below	Euro 6**

 

**Individual vehicles already on sale that were built by, and dispatched from, the manufacturer before 1st June 2015 can continue to be sold until 1st September 2016′. This in effect means that a car sold before 1st September 2016 may still have a Euro 5 engine. Check with the manufacturer to be certain.

The European emission standards were set with the aim to reduce pollutants including nitrogen oxide (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (THC and NMHC) and particulate matter (PM), which is the soot from diesel cars.

Diesel vehicles permitted level of NOx emitted has dropped to a maximum of 0.08g/km, compared to the 0.18g/km level that was maximum level on the previous Euro 5 emissions standard.

Euro 6 emissions standards (diesel)

CO: 0.50g/km
HC + NOx: 0.17g/km
NOx: 0.08g/km
PM: 0.005g/km
PN [#/km]: 6.0×10 ^11/km

NOx is a harmful pollutant that is correlated with damage to the environment. It has also been proven to have serious health implications when ingested over a period.

Particulate matter is a local pollutant that has also been linked to health and respiratory problems.