EGR Valve took a dump

Yeah, as far as I know. That's before they started all the other DPF, SCRDS and all that happy horse puckey.

 

Thanks, Gears. I am hoping to hear from a couple that I know have done the block off too. I've been unplugged for a while also but I got around to doing a little more today.

 

Ahhh, the CowPie. I finally got around to trying something you mentioned and was hoping you'd be back on this so I could hear some of your thoughts. I guess the first thing I need to ask is...do you think it's possible that my valve was prevented from a complete close by carbon or blockage by particles of soot, etc? I don't even know if the valve works like this since I've never been inside one of the faulty valves.

If it is a possibility, next question. Could I cause problems by blocking the recycled exhaust from being pushed back into the intake? Should I just shut up & drive. ? Someone else got me to thinking about this when they mentioned the EGR valve should be fully closed or shut off if one decided to block it.

 

There are only two steps when it comes to dealing with EGR Valve on pre-DPF ISX engines (up to 2006):

Step 1
Take it off the motor, open it an inspect it.

Step 2
Makes sure it will never, ever open anymore install it back

It is very important to go for both steps. Unplugging it without checking its lousy inner mechanism is amateur move and can be only recommended in 2 scenarios:

Scenario 1
You have a problem on the road and need to try things before you get towed

Scenario 2
You have brand new EGR Valve or you are sure it is working properly (which you can't never really be sure unless you open it)

The most common thing people do is they unplugging it when suddenly occurs to them they have some problem with the engine - then they learn from internet that dumb procedure with cooling the engine and cycling the key (which does nothing actually) and unplug it (which doesn't help at all if the valve can't move freely).

 

Does unplugging the EGR and having a cel cause any other problems? I have an EGR fault code on my DD60. Before the code it would have the EGR cough, smoke and would suck down fuel like an alchoholic with beer at Oktoberfest. With the CEL on, it runs smooth and gets better mpg's, leading me to believe the ECM shut the EGR down due to a fault somewhere in the system.

Does an EGR fault derate the engine or anything? Heck, the CEL came on so much that the little light actually burned out!

 

I don't know nor want to know anything about DD motors, but in ISX your scenario is probably possible, if problem with whole EGR system start someplace else than EGR Valve and the valve itself is working properly - unplugging it is causing it to close. Then ECM learns about it soon and stop even trying to open it anymore. But it throws codes and CEL comes on

But I think it's not that likely to cure anything by just pulling the plug. Possible, but not likely. When your ISX is running perfectly and you are sure of it (which you can't really never be sure unless you running INSITE on the road) - thats your best shot at unplugging. But like I said - its ISX.

The other thing you might want to consider is - if your EGR system is not functioning properly for prolonged period of time and you are to lazy or stupid to figure it out - get ready for some real fun at overhauling the engine due to lack of oxygen to burn fuel right

 

Will these same methods work on an '01 N14?

 

back in 2001 there was no EGR on any Cummins engine, it started with ISX built after Oct 2002. N-14 never had it, no matter when it was built

 

03 (pre egr would be the best LOL but go to 08 and newer as they redesigned it and made it better.