[05mustang]

Hi all. my name is Kevin i just recently bought a used 05 mustang convertible and the check engine light came on so i took it to autozone to see why it came on. well he told me i have to replace the EGR Valve. im not really a ford guy. i actually drive a 06 Chevy Colorado. the mustang is for my wife. is there any way to clean the EGR valve? or is it better to replace it? thanks

Kevin

[stephen]

It may or may not be the EGR valve its self. There is a differential pressure sensor, a vacuum solenoid, and various egr passageways that could be clogged up. One EGR passageway is in the lower intake manifold. If you remove the EGR valve and there is carbon in it, then it may be possible to remove the carbon or you could replace the valve.
If that doesn't fix it the remaining parts will need to be checked out.

The above is for a 99 V6 Mustang.

[05mustang]

what should i do first then? clean the egr valve? reset the computer to clear the code and see if it comes back?

[Six Banger]

It usually a good idea to clear the computer/undo the battery to just make sure the code wasnt a fluke. if it comes back on you can try taking the EGR valve off and cleaning it

[05mustang]

Originally Posted by Six Banger It usually a good idea to clear the computer/undo the battery to just make sure the code wasnt a fluke. if it comes back on you can try taking the EGR valve off and cleaning it

well thats what i ended up doing. went for a drive about 2 miles. turned the car off for about 5 minutes. then drove 2 miles back to the house. the CEL didnt even come back on.

i also noticed this morning, the filler neck for the oil is broken. about 1/3 is broken off. could that be what threw the code as well?

[v6kid]

Not for the EGR, but it should be fixed.... Sometimes you car needs to be driven longer than that to throw a code. I don't think the EGR operates when the engine is in open loop/ during cold starts.

[stangcharger]

The code will prolly come back. Mine on my truck did. Usually just needs to be cleaned. I had a heck of a time trying to clean around the valve itself given it's location in the egr. If it doesn't come back then great. It isn't really a big deal if you know your egr is clean. It is just one of those pesky emission deals. I actually deleted mine on my 2000 mustang.

[Rich J]

I had the same problem on my 01. I swapped out the DPFE sensor and the code went away. Just tonight my CEL came back on and I have a hunch its for the EGR because everything else seems normal.

Also I noticed for EGR codes (just from person experience) drive for 20 miles, if the code doesn't come back then your good.

[05mustang]

yea it came back on after driving about 25-30 miles. then i bought some seafoam from walmart cause it was $2 cheaper than autozone. hopefully the seafoam works if not ill be calling junk yards to see if anyone has one. if not ill have to spend $105 for a new EGR valve

[v6kid]

1. Seafoam will not help the EGR
2. Don't just buy an EGR... throwing money away will not fix a problem
3. What was the exact code?
4. 99-04 the DPFE sensor was a big problem. I'm not sure about the 05+, but it is more than likely is a big posibility.

[southfour!]

get rid of the whole EGR system, well if you dont have emmissions that is.

but dont make the mistake of throwing it out or selling it, you might have to put it back on one day.

[05mustang]

Originally Posted by v6kid 1. Seafoam will not help the EGR 2. Don't just buy an EGR... throwing money away will not fix a problem 3. What was the exact code? 4. 99-04 the DPFE sensor was a big problem. I'm not sure about the 05+, but it is more than likely is a big posibility.

P0401 Insufficient EGR Flow

[stephen]

Originally Posted by 05mustang P0401 Insufficient EGR Flow

It thinks there isn't enough exhaust going thru the EGR.

I think that's likely to be the differential pressure sensor mentioned above.

[v6kid]

Yup, that would probably be your problem then. I would tell you how to test it, but IDK how to test that part. I just swapped mine with a known good one as a test... That is the exact code that likes to pop up when the DPFE goes bad.

[05mustang]

well i called the dealership that i bought it from and they are gonna fix it at no cost to me since i only had it for 3 days when the CEL came on.