Hey guys, I have a question about the EGR valve.
Anyhow its a 93 F-150 5.0

It has this metal pipe running to the egr valve, anyhow I was getting an EGR code so I replaced the egr valve, anyhow when I loosened the pipe I noticed it cracked on me, now I odnt want to take the intake off because the pipe runs underneath it, so anyhow I was thinking could I just cut the pipe past the crack and weld it shut? and then make a plat to cover where the egr valve bolts to the manifold? or do I have to have my egr valve.

The loud ticking and smell that comes out just kills me when sitting in my truck.

Thanks for the advice

Rich

 

Yes you need your EGR. It is a critical part of the emissions system and the computer will not take kindly to it not being present. You may get a few answers from guys that have removed theirs and gotten away with it, but the right answer is to repair or replace the pipe.

If you have welding capability and access to the crack, then you don't have a problem. If not, then the pipe needs to come out.

It is possible to get the pipe off without removing the intake, but it is soooo much easier to just remove the upper intake to do the work. If weather or time prevent you from doing the work now, a muffler patch (translate...band aid) on the crack will work as a temporary repair.

You will spend a lot less time and trouble fixing it than you will dealing with the problems associated with removing the EGR. Your location is not listed, so I do not know if you live in a state with emissions testing. If you do not, you will eventually. My wife is a CT state certified emissions specialist, and you would not believe the number of guys give her a load of crap when they have screwed around with their emissions system and then cannot understand why their truck won't pass emissions.

Good luck.

 

I changed mine without removeing the intake, but that was not an option at the time. It can be done with some time. You might be able to get to the bolts from the bottom of the truck. Good luck stay warm.

 

where does the other end of the pipe go? is this a part I can purchase?

 

On some models it goes to the very back of the intake on the driver's side. On others it goes to the back of the head on the driver's side. I cannot remember exactly where it goes on a 93. If you climb up on top of your engine with a flashlight you should be able to see where the pipe comes out from under the upper intake and follow it to the other end.
You can buy one from Ford (usually special order) or find one in a junkyard.

 

I know people say you should fix and you should. But you can block of the pipe. You can do this in a few diffent ways. You dont have the remove the egr, but you might whant to block it off. I did this is to my last truck, it ran better for me.
But you have to look up if you state has testing, and if not do they look at the emission stuff on you truck to see if it is ther.
If you do not remove the egr the comp will think it is working fine, it did for me.

clipper

 

You don't really have to have the EGR hooked up to make the truck run fine. Mine has been blocked off for 3 years and I have had no negative results and a few posative ones. If you dont want to weld the pipe off you can remove it and block the hole with a pipe plug or you can just flatten the end of the pipe with 2 hammers and then roll it over and flatten it again. This is really MICKEY MOUSE but it will work, even short term until you decide what you really want to do about the problem.

 

Well, I toldya some folks would tell you it's ok to just remove it.

Will the truck run ok without it...Yes.

Does the computer know the difference...Yes.

Will it throw codes...not necessarily.

Will it compensate for differences in the exhaust gasses from
what is programmed into the stock ECM...Yes.

Does this have an effect on the driveability of the vehicle...not in the short term.

Will this have a negative effect on the engine over the long haul...yup.

Are we smarter than the automotive engineers at FMC who designed the truck in the first place...doubt it.

If my state does not have an emissions program should I expect one soon...YES.

When...within 5 years all 50 states will have some form of emissions testing program in order to keep their federal highway funding.

Will my truck pass emissions without the EGR...NO. The first step of any EPA compliant emissions program is the visual inspection. No cats...no test. No EGR...no test. O2 sensor removed or bypassed...no test.

Will some get away with it anyway...Yes. You can always find a shop somewhere where the inspector won't bother with the visual inspection.

Everyone here knows the right answer to the question. It is entirely up to you whether you want to fix it right, or just make it work.

Fasten your seatbelts boys and girls...the tree huggers are everywhere and they are taking over.

 

well I just put silicon over it to see if it was the problem, which it was I will replace the pipe.

Anyone know exactly where it goes in a 93?

We just got rid of our emmisions so I dont think we will be getting them back any time soon

 

Big red, I have to disagree with on a few points. If you block off the egr tub and leave the valve hooked up the comp does not know ther is a prob. I know the for a fact. I have talked to a few for and ase tecs. They told me as long as all the stuff is hoked up it cant tell wether it is letting fresh air or exhaust gass.
As far as long term prob with the moter, it is better for it NOT to have to reuse exhaust all it life. Ask any engine builder. I worked in a engin shop thru school, and I can say this with confidence.
As far the testing, i dont see it happening. they tried it here a few yers ago and hade to get ride of it. No sign of it coming back.

Yes you should hook it up and use it. But not for the resons you say. It is better for the air, the enviorment, and us. We all know that. But we all think the other guy shoud do it and not us.

clipper

 

The EGR basically does one thing, it recirculates exhaust gas at cruise speeds, not idle and wide open throttle. This recirculation reduces combustion chamber temperatures and NOx emissions. The vehicle will run without it and probably wont even notice. The vehicle may run hotter and have a higher probability of knocking. The one thing you can't fool will be the emissions testers, if you have to test.

 

the EGR air tube is avail from auto zone for appx $40, $80 from ford (most ford dealers drive to a parts store and jack the price up)

here is the problem - the threads are JIC. the tube itself is a flare type fitting that screws into one with identical threads in the lower manifold - you HAVE to have this lower fitting which you will NEVER get off the old air tube - you can get this fitting from ford for appx $10.

take off the upper plenum to get to this easy. the leaking gases WILL burn thru the injector wiring.

without the egr hooked up, the EECIV will know something is wrong and you will get insufficient flow code

 

Reply to Clipper:
You have the right to disagree with me all you like. I have spent my entire adult life making sure you will ALWAYS have the right to disagree.

I do not know what kind of techs you talked to, or what their experience level is, but I can assure you that the computer DOES know. The entire system is designed to work together and expects certain values to be achieved. The missing EGR changes the mix of gasses in the combustion chamber, thereby changing the end result. The computer compensates and changes the timing and the mix. Over the long haul (years potentially) this will result in damage to your engine.

I started working on cars 28 years ago, and many of the things I have learned I gained from experience and the experience of others. Experience is the knowledge you gain from screwing up, then figuring out why. I used to be one of those guys that lived by the mantra "EGR...I don't need no stinkin' EGR" or perhaps "Smog pump...we don't need no stinkin' smog pump". I discovered over the years (sometimes at great expense) that I was sadly mistaken.

You have the right to disagree with me all you want. You have the right to do whatever you want to your vehicle, until the Tree Police tell you to park it. If you want to remove your EGR and risk the longevity of your engine, be my guest. I only ask that you do not give bad advice to others who do not understand the long term ramifications of their actions.

 

Point the sensor that reads the gass content in the intake?
I konw of none. The techs I talke too are more than willing to back me up. If you whant the name of the dealres they work for, I can get it to you. But they will say you need the egr, they have to to keep ther certificartion. ANY advice they give to not use any emision stuff will get it taken away.
As for the temp of the combustion, how can puting hot exhaust into the intake make the temp lower?

We are all entiteled to out opions. That part is great. I love to see everyones views on stuff. You can be sure that all the stuff i wright is somthing i have tried. I will always tell you what happend good or bad. I dont skew the truth to make somthing look better than it is.

clipper

 

actually clipper, this is pretty easy to answer.....

the EGR is only operative at speed, but not WOT. during this time some exhaust is put into the intake at pressure, and since it is heated, it is not as dense, this affects the MAP reading and the O2S reading...but the ECM KNOWS and expects this, and hence the ECM is able to submit the code (332? 334? for insufficent flow - sorry but I am not near my EECIV manual)

as for combustion temps, by diluting the intake charge in mid rpms, the peak temperature found in the cylinder head will be lowered - which lowers the incidence of pingggggggggggggggg and also lowers the formation of NOx gasses (which are well regulated now a days)

you can find any number of discussions about this on the web if you so desire. A good book to pick up if you have a spare $25 lying around is Charlie Probst's Ford Fuel Injection Manual - sold in some book stores and thru summit. If you REALLY want I can get you the ISBN number off of mine.

long story short and to diffuse the flame match before guns are loaded - you need the EGR, it does not hurt performance simply because the EGR is inoperative at WOT (actually anything above 3/4 throttle it is negated) WOT is where you will be when racing/using performance. Even if you dont care about emissions, the EGR will prevent or in many cases eliminate ping which will cause real damage to the motor. (ps: EECIV and OBD2, when they detect missing EGR, will retard timing slightly and slightly reduce injector pulsewidth - which will affect performance - even if no ping is detected)