7G problems again...still not fixed. WTF

[mrjaydeeone]

back around December of 07 I got a CEL for EGR malfunction. I don't remember the number that came up. Anyways after deleting the code it would go away for a while. Seems that it would come back when it got cold out. Anyways. I am trying to get my car inspected. And on Saturday I disconnected the battery and I reset the light. I had between 150 and 200 miles on the car and no CEL. I went to get inspected today. And when the mechanic hooked it up, I had 5 not readys. He said he would have continued with the inspection had I only had 2 but can't with 5. I don't remember then all but 1 was for EGR and one was for evaporator. I asked how many miles I would need to drive to get the car "ready" and he said he didn't know it varies. So I leave the shop and go figure within 10 miles the CEL comes back up. Last year I got the car inspected in July and I don't remember how many miles were on it from when I reset the CEL but I am guessing cause it was warm out, that's why it stayed cleared as long as it did. I am in a bind now as the temp inspection I had expired on Monday.
What am I going to need to do or fix or replace to get this EGR issue straightened out.
thanks in advance
also if I was to clear the light out with an ODB2 scanner would the car be able to be inspected or would I still show that it isn't ready

[4-G-rim]

Have you replaced the whole EGR valve?

[mrjaydeeone]

no I haven't Kevin. I haven't replaced anything yet.

[mko]

Hey man, just let it soak in acetone overnite and clean it inside. I had an EGR code a year ago, I did that and havent had any problems since. A shop wont be able to fix the readys, it reminds of 2g ECUs when you disconnect the battery. The only way is to drive the car with constant speed 35, 55, 65mph foe a few miles each.

[mrjaydeeone]

hmmm interesting. And you would think I would have accomplished that within 150 miles haha. Where is the EGR valve exactly? And soaking it will do fix the problem?
Also I am guessing I wouldnt be able to drive without the EGR valve, so I need to find a time where I wouldn't need to drive

[mrjaydeeone]

I found these
but how do I remove
http://autorepair.about.com/library/faqs/bl438d.htm
http://autorepair.about.com/library/images/bl570lib.htm

[mko]

yeap, thats it. The acetone will loosen up the gunk inside, thats what throws the code - there is no flow and the ecu reads it.

And you can drive w/o EGR but you need a block off plate and of course the CEL will be on

[peanotation]

remove the vacuum line that connects to nipple on the valve. some EGR valves have a connector that sits along side the front o2 sensor on the intake manifold; if yours has one, disconnect that as well. remove the two 12mm bolts that hold the valve to the manifold and walla.

also, a CEL for an EGR valve might also indicate the EGR valve solenoid is the problem, not the valve itself.

[mko]

the temp sensor with the connector came only on 94-95 and it was part of OBD1.5, the OBD2 uses the O2 sensor reading to determine when engine is running hot under load

and yes youre right about the solenoid

[mrjaydeeone]

so 1st I should remove the EGR Valve and soak in acetone. How many hours this way I can get away without actually doing it overnight.
And then reinstall, clear out CEL and see if it comes back again?
and if its the solenoid how can I tell?

[peanotation]

i don't know about soaking the solenoid in acetone, i think he was referring to the valve itself. i'd be weary of letting acetone degrade the rubber in the EGR valve, but if mko says it works it probably works

[mko]

I doesnt have to be a whole day, just check on it. Get a toothbrush or anything small that would fit the holes and try to make your way thru. Youll see when it clean, it will be obvious

Im not sure but i think OBD2 has two different codes for egr solenoid and egr valve itself and obd1 just have one code summarizing EGR malfunction

EDIT: just checked it OBD2 does have separate codes

[mrjaydeeone]

i don't know about soaking the solenoid in acetone, i think he was referring to the valve itself. i'd be weary of letting acetone degrade the rubber in the EGR valve, but if mko says it works it probably works

I didnt say I was soaking the solenoid. whered ya read that?

I doesnt have to be a whole day, just check on it. Get a toothbrush or anything small that would fit the holes and try to make your way thru. Youll see when it clean, it will be obvious

Im not sure but i think OBD2 has two different codes for egr solenoid and egr valve itself and obd1 just have one code summarizing EGR malfunction

EDIT: just checked it OBD2 does have separate codes

okay cool. I dont remember the code but it was egr valve malfunction. So clean it up and replace and clear out the CEL again. And see if it comes back? How long do I give it to make sure it is "ready"
and um will an ODB2 scanner alert you to it not being "ready"

[mko]

idk if the scanner will catch the readys, but it should. I ve read many articles on dsmtooners about that and they all say they drove for 50-60 miles with mixeed steady speed to let the ecu adjust

[peanotation]

I didnt say I was soaking the solenoid. whered ya read that?

bah, my bad, between the april foolery and the pages being all mirrored and my balls being way too big i think i misread something somewhere at sometime for some reason

[mrjaydeeone]

LOL. ^^ haha. understood. Well it was brought to my attention by another member here that I should have another EGR valve on another intake manifold sitting at my dads house that I was given along with the 7G when I bought it. And if that is not the case I there is a 7G "parts" car that "belongs" to a member on here that I can grab it off of as well

[4-G-rim]

Well looks like you got some good diagnosing solutions to your problem...sorry i didn't chime earlier, but I had a busy day yesterday.

You can dlean the existing EGR valve or just swap it with another one and just in case you need one I can get you one.

[mrjaydeeone]

so I went to the parts car and it seems there is a block off plate in place of the EGR valve. It was a stock car so I don't know why that was exactly. Or it is possible that the EGR valve was already taken off. But at any rate that doesnt help me. I checked out the other intake manifold that I have at my dads house and that one seems to not have it either. And that was has the plate as well.
this is where the EGR valve should be right, where the blue plate is

Kevin. I am going to send you a pm.

[mko]

the block off plate came on 97-98 Galants and they dont have any other emission components.

[mrjaydeeone]

the block off plate came on 97-98 Galants and they dont have any other emission components.

so can I just use the block plate and get rid of the EGR valve? What about the line(s) that go to it? What else would I need to do at that point to get rid of the CEL and the not readys?