P0401 Code on a Ford V-10
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
P0401 Code on a Ford V-10
I have a '98 Ford V-10 15 pass van, with 113k miles on it. I've had to replace a couple of coil packs on it, but other than that, I really haven't done much to it at all. When the 'service engine' light came on, I was expecting another coil pack, but it wasn't running rough like it did before. When I got it home, and put the scanner to it, I was surprised to see it had the P0401 EGR blockage code.
Is this common on these vehicles? Should I find a vacuum source, and run a can of Sea Foam in it?
This vehicle normally does not get used much, but these past few weeks, I've been driving it almost every day.
Any help would be appreciated.
John
Is this common on these vehicles? Should I find a vacuum source, and run a can of Sea Foam in it?
This vehicle normally does not get used much, but these past few weeks, I've been driving it almost every day.
Any help would be appreciated.
John
Last edited by 98ClubWagon; Mar 12, 2011 at 08:35 AM. Reason: Put down wrong code number: should be P0401
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
P0401 Code-Correction!
Since it was late last night, when I posted this, I dyslexically put the numbers down wrong! I was informed that by someone on the OBD codes forum, where I also posted a thread.
So, since I can't change the title (I don't know how), the code should be: P0401.
Sorry,
John
So, since I can't change the title (I don't know how), the code should be: P0401.
Sorry,
John
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 545
Likes: 5
From: FL
My haynes Book Says:
P0401: EGR low flow-Check vacuum supply and valve operation .
Here are few things to check ( from haynes book ) ;
1-Make sure vacuum hoses are in good condition and hooked up correctly.
2-To perform a leakage test ,attach a vacuum pump to EGR valve . Apply a vacuum of 5 to 6 in-Hg to the valve .The EGR valve should hold the vacuum .
3-Remove the EGR valve and clean the inlet and outlet ports with a wire brush . Donot sandblast the valve or clean it with gasoline or solvents .These liquids will destroy the EGR valve diaphragm.
Good luck,
P0401: EGR low flow-Check vacuum supply and valve operation .
Here are few things to check ( from haynes book ) ;
1-Make sure vacuum hoses are in good condition and hooked up correctly.
2-To perform a leakage test ,attach a vacuum pump to EGR valve . Apply a vacuum of 5 to 6 in-Hg to the valve .The EGR valve should hold the vacuum .
3-Remove the EGR valve and clean the inlet and outlet ports with a wire brush . Donot sandblast the valve or clean it with gasoline or solvents .These liquids will destroy the EGR valve diaphragm.
Good luck,
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
My haynes Book Says:
P0401: EGR low flow-Check vacuum supply and valve operation .
Here are few things to check ( from haynes book ) ;
1-Make sure vacuum hoses are in good condition and hooked up correctly.
2-To perform a leakage test ,attach a vacuum pump to EGR valve . Apply a vacuum of 5 to 6 in-Hg to the valve .The EGR valve should hold the vacuum .
3-Remove the EGR valve and clean the inlet and outlet ports with a wire brush . Donot sandblast the valve or clean it with gasoline or solvents .These liquids will destroy the EGR valve diaphragm.
Good luck,
P0401: EGR low flow-Check vacuum supply and valve operation .
Here are few things to check ( from haynes book ) ;
1-Make sure vacuum hoses are in good condition and hooked up correctly.
2-To perform a leakage test ,attach a vacuum pump to EGR valve . Apply a vacuum of 5 to 6 in-Hg to the valve .The EGR valve should hold the vacuum .
3-Remove the EGR valve and clean the inlet and outlet ports with a wire brush . Donot sandblast the valve or clean it with gasoline or solvents .These liquids will destroy the EGR valve diaphragm.
Good luck,
With all my crying out of the way, where exactly is the EGR? Do you know which side? I'm hoping once the dog house is off, I can get to it somewhat easily.
Thanks,
John
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 545
Likes: 5
From: FL
[quote=98ClubWagon;10087617] where exactly is the EGR? Do you know which side?
.............................
There should be a metal pipe coming out of exhaust manifold into the intake manifold ( most likely at driver's side) . EGR valve is on the intake manifold side of the EGR pipe. My guide book gives this procedure :
1-Remove the air cleaner outlet tube.
2-Remove the vacuum line from the EGR valve (if equipped).
3-Remove the bolts and position the differential pressure feedback EGR bracket out of the way
4-Disconnect the EGR tube fittings and position the EGR tube out of the way.
5-Remove the two bolts and the EGR valve.
.....................
Another piece of info
From Haynes ) The EGR flow rate is determined by monitoring the pressure across a fixed metering orifice as exhaust gases pass thru it .The system is called DPFE (Differential Pressure Feedback ). The DPFE pressure sensor monitors upstream and downstream exhaust backpressures. This backpressure coefficient is relayed to the PCM and the correct amount of EGR duty cycle is applied to the EGR vacuum regulator control (EVR ).
...................
Sounds like DPFE sensor and/or EVR vacuum regulator valve could be the culprit too .
Take your time and find out how you can test these .
Good luck .
.............................
There should be a metal pipe coming out of exhaust manifold into the intake manifold ( most likely at driver's side) . EGR valve is on the intake manifold side of the EGR pipe. My guide book gives this procedure :
1-Remove the air cleaner outlet tube.
2-Remove the vacuum line from the EGR valve (if equipped).
3-Remove the bolts and position the differential pressure feedback EGR bracket out of the way
4-Disconnect the EGR tube fittings and position the EGR tube out of the way.
5-Remove the two bolts and the EGR valve.
.....................
Another piece of info
From Haynes ) The EGR flow rate is determined by monitoring the pressure across a fixed metering orifice as exhaust gases pass thru it .The system is called DPFE (Differential Pressure Feedback ). The DPFE pressure sensor monitors upstream and downstream exhaust backpressures. This backpressure coefficient is relayed to the PCM and the correct amount of EGR duty cycle is applied to the EGR vacuum regulator control (EVR )....................
Sounds like DPFE sensor and/or EVR vacuum regulator valve could be the culprit too .
Take your time and find out how you can test these .
Good luck .
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Thanks for the info! If the check engine light comes on again, and it's that code, I'll go deeper into it.
That description you gave from Haynes, is that for the van? Or Pick up? Just wondering if it's accessible from the front, or from the rear? The description says take off the air cleaner outlet tube, so if that is for the van, then I can assume that it can be accessed from the front?
Thanks,
John
That description you gave from Haynes, is that for the van? Or Pick up? Just wondering if it's accessible from the front, or from the rear? The description says take off the air cleaner outlet tube, so if that is for the van, then I can assume that it can be accessed from the front?
Thanks,
John
Trending Topics
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
What I would do is simple. Apply vacuum directly to the EGR while the engine is idling and see if it beings to stumble or even stall. If it does, the EGR is working.
I suspect it's really the DPFE sensor, which is usually the reason for this.
I suspect it's really the DPFE sensor, which is usually the reason for this.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Came on again
Just to update this thread, the check engine light came on again yesterday. It almost seems if I don't let it 'warm up' a bit, then I'll get the light to come on.
I do have an AutoXRay 6000 scan tool, that also does live data streaming. Does anyone know what I should be looking for, in the data streaming, to determine if it's actually the EGR, or the DPFE sensor? Is there a way to find out using the scan tool? I would rather try something like that, as opposed to taking the thing apart, and checking the EGR with vacuum, like you guys are saying. If this was a pickup, or car, then I'd jump right in. But, being a van, you guys know how much of a pain it is to work on these! I'm sure that the EGR is probably in the back, where I'd have to take off the 'dog house' in the van.
Thanks,
John
I do have an AutoXRay 6000 scan tool, that also does live data streaming. Does anyone know what I should be looking for, in the data streaming, to determine if it's actually the EGR, or the DPFE sensor? Is there a way to find out using the scan tool? I would rather try something like that, as opposed to taking the thing apart, and checking the EGR with vacuum, like you guys are saying. If this was a pickup, or car, then I'd jump right in. But, being a van, you guys know how much of a pain it is to work on these! I'm sure that the EGR is probably in the back, where I'd have to take off the 'dog house' in the van.
Thanks,
John
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
Removing the dog house and testing the EGR with a vacuum pump is probably the easiest 
Of course, you COULD watch the EGR duty-cycle, versus the DPFE flow rate, and as the EGR duty cycle increases, the DPFE flow rate would increase as well. If there is no change as the EGR duty-cycle increases, that indicates the EGR is not opening, OR the DPFE is bad.
So, even with datalogging, you're still stuck with "what's causing the issue" and you'd STILL have to manually test the EGR to see if it's working
The EGR will come on as you slowly tip into the go-pedal. I used to watch the EGR on my '96 t-bird with an Autotap, and found it was coming in WAY too early and causing a stumble right off-idle. Putting a small restrictor in the vacuum line kept it from coming on too fast, didn't trigger the PCM/DPFE, and got rid of the stumble. But I never did find a PID for the DPFE flow. Maybe I didn't look well enough ...
Of course, you COULD watch the EGR duty-cycle, versus the DPFE flow rate, and as the EGR duty cycle increases, the DPFE flow rate would increase as well. If there is no change as the EGR duty-cycle increases, that indicates the EGR is not opening, OR the DPFE is bad.
So, even with datalogging, you're still stuck with "what's causing the issue" and you'd STILL have to manually test the EGR to see if it's working
The EGR will come on as you slowly tip into the go-pedal. I used to watch the EGR on my '96 t-bird with an Autotap, and found it was coming in WAY too early and causing a stumble right off-idle. Putting a small restrictor in the vacuum line kept it from coming on too fast, didn't trigger the PCM/DPFE, and got rid of the stumble. But I never did find a PID for the DPFE flow. Maybe I didn't look well enough ...
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 545
Likes: 5
From: FL
Clubwagon,
This might help you;
EGR Valve Position Sensor
The EGR valve position sensor is a potentiometer that monitors the movement of the EGR valve pintle. The EGR valve position sensor then provides the pintle position to the PCM. The EGR valve position sensor signal varies from approximately 0.50V when the valve is closed to approximately 4.5V when the valve is open.
.................
Good luck
Ken
This might help you;
EGR Valve Position Sensor
The EGR valve position sensor is a potentiometer that monitors the movement of the EGR valve pintle. The EGR valve position sensor then provides the pintle position to the PCM. The EGR valve position sensor signal varies from approximately 0.50V when the valve is closed to approximately 4.5V when the valve is open.
.................
Good luck
Ken
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
So, if you think it's this "DPFE" sensor, then where is it on the engine? Is it by the EGR?
Thanks for clarifying this. I will hook up the scanner, and monitor it. But, when I have time, I will also take off the dog house, and check the EGR.
Like I said before, if I try to go too soon after starting the engine, then the check engine light comes on. But, if I let it warm up a bit, then it seems OK.
I'm just wondering if it's not build up, and I put a can of sea foam through it, if it would clean it up? Some people swear by putting it into a vacuum source, and letting it run. It smokes like hell, but people swear by it. Have you ever tried it? If so, does it work?
John
Thanks for clarifying this. I will hook up the scanner, and monitor it. But, when I have time, I will also take off the dog house, and check the EGR.
Like I said before, if I try to go too soon after starting the engine, then the check engine light comes on. But, if I let it warm up a bit, then it seems OK.
I'm just wondering if it's not build up, and I put a can of sea foam through it, if it would clean it up? Some people swear by putting it into a vacuum source, and letting it run. It smokes like hell, but people swear by it. Have you ever tried it? If so, does it work?
John
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Not a big fan of Sea Foam?
John