EGR valve

[dci120matt]

hi all i was just reading the tips and tricks and came across how to clean the egr valve, what are the benefits of this? and after how many miles should you clean it? my car is coming up to 26,000 miles, cheers

[AlexB]

I cleaned my EGR valve at about your mileage and it was reasonably clean when I removed it. I would think it can go without cleaning up to at least 60000 miles. The mileage depends on many factors including the quality of oil, type of journeys (long, short, high speed, etc.) and quality of fuel (Shell Extra -- good, supermarket -- who knows).

The reason for cleaning is the valve being of balanced type. If one out of two symmetrical channels becomes blocked by deposits, it causes vibration and the whole EGR system stops working. The channels get blocked by soot mixed with oil mist coming from the sump ventilation system. In case of turbo failures the EGR system gets flooded with oil, which can be another cause of failure. I am talking about the two channels connecting the intake manifold to the EGR valve. There is also a ring channel in the EGR valve seat, which gradually gets filled with dry soot. It should be cleaned as well.

Failed EGR valves cause rough running and may affect the exhaust temperature, which is bad for the turbo. Looks like EGR valves frequently fail just before the turbo. It might be due to oil leaking from the turbo. In a good engine this valve should be dry and only covered with light powder-like soot. Oily dirt/sludge can be only present in the intake manifold.

I am convinced that the oil quality has a direct effect on the EGR system operation. Bad mineral/semisynthetic oils thicken fast when mixed with soot, which results in blocked channels. Good synthetic oils of groups 4 and 5 stay not as thick and are carried away from the critical area by the air flow. A good oil is also essential for long life of the turbo bearings.

[jonesy889]

Does anyone know if the dealer would ever check the EGR valve cleanliness as part of normal servicing? I'm on 81k now and not looked myself.

[Deano16v]

i doubt it.

i run a Forte diesel treatment through mine every 2-3k which supposedly helps with keeping the EGR clean. i change my oil in between services too.

[WebCode]

EGR valves are NOT checked at any service..

However they CERTAINLY SHOULD BE!! PLEASE Listen Renault!!!!

[DJC013]

Welcome Back Webcode !! Regards Damian.

[hayziefantayzie]

Can anyone give me a link or a detailed "how to" of how to tale my egr off and clean it please?
Thanks
Hayley x

[AlexB]

Read the factory manual in the sticky thread above this one for removal instructions. Removal takes about 10 minutes, you will need 10mm 1/4 sockets and thin wobbly bars.

You will need to clean two things, the manifold, where it sits and the valve itself.

There are two holes from the seat into the intake manifold - clean both. The hole to the exhaust is usually clean. There will be blockage in the circular groove around the seat - clean it.

Then there is the vlave. Separate it from the solenoid, they are held together by hollow rivetsinside the three holes for the mounting bolts. There is a cavity between the valve and solenoid, which gets filled with soot.

Can anyone give me a link or a detailed "how to" of how to tale my egr off and clean it please?
Thanks
Hayley x

[DocWS1]

Cleaned my EGR and changed my oil.
I kept getting "check injection" warning light on which is why I did it.
Warning lights off and car running fine.