I'm planning to buy my first diesel soon and I've been scouring this forum for information. I keep seeing references to an EGR delete and I can gather a vague idea of what it is, but I can't seem to find the details.

What is the EGR delete and why would I want to do it? What are the advantages/disadvantages?

What changes are made? Swapping out some parts? Any software or programming changes needed?

Is it something a mechanically-inclined guy can do or should it be done by an experienced mechanic?

Is there any risk to passing the state emissions test?

If it matters, I plan to buy a 2012 or later F250.

 

You can't just delete the egr. You have to buy a tuner that with custom tunes to disable the emissions stuff on your truck and install that before removing anything. Immediately after you tune and verify it worked, you will have to remove the factory exhaust system and install a race pipe in its place. For the EGR, you have a little time if you want. You can either unplug everything from it right then and come back later to do the removal, OR install blank-off plates and leave the EGR in place, OR remove it completely.

A good portion of the warranty claims on these trucks seem to be emissions related. Getting rid of the system, seems to help reduce visits for such, although they are actually pretty reliable as they are.

EGR is Exhaust Gas Recirculation. It takes a stream of exhaust gas, passes it through a cooler, and returns it to the intake to reduce cylinder temps by reducing available oxygen for combustion. This helps reduce NOx formation.

The rest of the emission system is in the exhaust. You have a DOC (Diesel oxidation catalyst) which burns previously unburned hydrocarbon and provides the source of heat for regen, SCR (Selective catalytic Reduction) that uses DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) to reduce NOx, and lastly is the DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) which traps soot. When it gets full, the computer will tell the injectors to squirt fuel on one bank of cylinders during the exhaust stroke to burn off the soot.

Your average shadetree mech can do this in his driveway in an afternoon, but an extra set of hands is helpful.

It is a good idea not to do this if you have to pass an emissions test. The other option is to reinstall everything before going for your test and then remove again afterward. You will not likely pass a test with everything gone.

Additionally, you may lose a significant portion of your warranty when you tune. Buying used, that isn't likely much of a concern for you though.

 

Thanks for the thorough response. I think that was just enough information to make me dangerous...


So the DPF delete is fairly easy and would get rid of a lot of the potential emissions-related problems. I would need a tuner and a replacement exhaust pipe. Anything else?


With the DPF delete there is no more Regen and no more DEF.


The EGR delete is a little more complicated, but it appears one could disconnect three connectors and achieve the same results?

 

You have to have a tuner that is capable of re-writing the computer in the truck.
Just doing a disconnect is not enough for the DPF. It need to be removed or it will clog up.

 

Look at the problems that VW is having for putting cheating code in their diesel vehicles.

If you live in an area that has emission testing. You had better leave it alone.

What is your motivation for wanting to do a Delete?

 

Disconnect the EGR not the DPF.

 

You're comparing apples to tomatoes. No similarities between a vehicle owner modding his property and a manufacturer scamming customers.

 

EGR delete is not hard, just take your time. You could block it off in 3 places and be good, but you still need the tuner regardless. Also if you remove the EGR completely you gain so much engine bay space. DPF is as simple as they come. I haven't had a single issue with my truck when I deleted at 13K and I'm now at 51K. I mean unless you use the truck to tow heavy all the time, I would delete it. So many positives gained when taking that crap off your truck that it almost makes you wonder why they didn't come from the factory like that!! Let us know man, many of us have helped delete multiple trucks.

 

Thanks. Does your truck throw black smoke with the DPF gone? Any highway drone? What tuner do you recommend?

 

Wasn't saying owners can't mod there own trucks. I was suggesting that if you live in an area that requires emission testing. You are better off not fighting with the folks that over see emissions.

A lot of the country doesn't seem to care if you blow black smoke. But some areas will not renew your license if you don't have the required hardware.

 

The truck can roll coal. I don't get any drone that I know of. As Tofan stated a EGR delete is easy, just take your time. Full DPF delete is easy too.

I pull a 20k tow hauler with no problems fully deleted.

I have a H&S mini max (109003). I bought everything from: Rudy’s Diesel Performance!.

Package Deals - Rudy's Diesel Performance

 

100% agree with the Rudys recommendation. Mini Max is my number one choice, but Sct has a cheaper version out that gives you less. There is SOME drone but it's not really noticeable. Black smoke not really, if you leave it on the performance tune then unloaded you can make it do that, but loaded or towing you always need to keep it on the stock power or else the head gasket has a good chance at popping. I have the 5" flo pro on mine. I would never go back to a stock truck with emissions.

 

I'm so jealous every time I read a thread like this. In MA they do a computer emission test that Spartan can fool and a visual test that only a blind or "friendly" inspector will let pass. EGR and DPF are not small and pretty easy to spot when you look. It's as obvious as pulling in without a hood on the truck...LOL. Enjoy deleting rlanicek. You'll have a better truck for it.

 

Thanks, that somewhat answers my follow-on question about black smoke. I assume there will be some smoke on start-up and acceleration inherent with a DPF delete but I don't want to "roll coal."

 

Yeah. If you keep it on stock power and just do the delete to remove emissions I would say 95% you will not ever see black smoke except when your towing. You will not have any problems there. You can PM me and we can talk more.