First off, props to this site, tons of info on here! I purchased a white 2005 excursion eddie bauer 4x4 with 148k yesterday, everything on it was in superior shape visually. I did notice on my test drive that there is a little play in the steering wheel, about 1-2" either way before you feel it turning...i am thinking maybe an alignment and they should be able to take out the lash in the gear box...is that right? After i drove it appx 40 miles....i stopped to fill it up, drove about 10 miles the the check engine light comes on. I read the code today and TADA PO401 faulty egr valve. So my question is, do i just delete it and save headaches or replace the valve? Valve is 204 at autozone and i have no clue what the price of a delete kit is and if i do delete it will i be able to go thru emissions in az? I will post pics as soon as i am able to. thanks for your help. i paid 15k for the vehicle CASH! autocheck score was an 87 btw.

Kyle

 

Sounds like a nice truck ! Sorry I can not help to answer any questions.... I don't know that much about newer fords

 

What engine is it and where are you located?

If you delete it you will have tons of emissions problems but if you are in the white mountains or flagstaff you don't have to worry about that.

Really that is a good deal for an excursion.

By the way our 97 Ford Expedition is pulling the same problem up and the egr valve can be cleaned if anything I would do that first clear the codes and then see what it does. I would be able to tell you more though if I knew the engine.

As for the steering wheel play I would think that would help if not I don't know what to say really.
Trav

 

It was a good week to buy Excursions I guess. I bought one too. Mine is a 2000 Limited 4x4 with the 7.3. 173k miles. for 7500bucks. It feels good to pay cash for a vehicle doesn't it!

I am guessing from that yours is a 6.0 diesel. yes you can delete the EGR without running into emissions problems. What part of the valley are you in? I know the guys at Reliable Diesel in Mesa 480-325-6262 do them all the time on the 6.0's.
What front end does yours have. I have heard that the late model 05's have the coil spring front end. The guy I got mine from just put 1k into it chasing the same problems. He replaced the tie rods and the pitman arm on the steering box.

 

6.0L diesel...i live in the faaaaaaaaarrrrrr west valley in tonopah. the ball joints were TOAST. i had a shop replace them as i dont have all the presses and such to get them out. I had hell replacing my 01 dodge ball joints....swore i'd never do that again. I cleared the code after the egr replacement and it threw the same code again after 1 driving cycle, so i am guessing a blockage in the return tube??? this is by far the nicest ex i have seen and i have seen alot in the last 2 months of looking. play is not as bad after the upper and lower ball joints replaced both sides, but still there, more of a nuisance i would like the steering tight, but tie rods are in good shape. shocks are still good not leaking but look original so probably end of life or near it. any recommendations for front shocks out there? i asked the shop to take out the lash in the gear box after they replaced the ball joints, did an alignment so i am thinking they didnt do it and are going to try to tell me they did. i'll post some pics here as soon as i can, but trust me whoever owned this took care of it.

 

You say Egr valve maybe a broken vacuam line or something. I am not familar with diesels so I don't know I am a gasser guy.
Trav