I just got a 2001 b3000 second hand with 63k mi. on it. Truck has been running great. The engine light recently came on so I went to sears and a mechanic told me it was a P0401 EGR flow insufficient. He told me about 9 times out of ten all i need to do is clean out the hoses going from the DPFE to the EGR. I did this and had the code cleared and about 100 miles later it returned. I know I'm not the first to post this code. I did some research on these forums and found some great information but some was over my head. I'm pretty ignorant to what the hell an EGR is I just figure it has to do with all these silly emissions laws. Truck still runs good, just seems to suffer a loss of gas milage since the light has been on. I don't want to spend money unless it is totally necesary to get this problem taken care of. So is my next step to take off the EGR off and the throtle body and clean all the ports and hoses well, or do I just need to go ahead and invest in a new DPFE? If so is there a particular brand i should get?

Due to my ignorance of what a DPFE and EGR is please try to reply in lamons terms.

Thanks much
Leroy

 

Sometimes to clean valve is enought... sometimes you have to replace it.

 

It's probably the DPFE. Check this out: The Ford DPFE/EGR System

 

That DPFE sensor has a recall on it, for the exact error code you describe... I recommend you get one from a Ford dealer, they redesigned it to last longer... they aren't that expensive (mine was around 40.00 or so)

 

thanks guys

 

Ok. Well i go to the ford dealer and they want a hundred bucks for a DPFE. So i say no way. I go to Advance and they a have a GP Sorensen DPFE. The picture they had was of the plastic DPFE but the actual sensor the guy had was the metal one. I asked him if there was a quality difference between a Motorcraft DPFE or if that GP is just as good. He goes on to say that a lot of people come in there buying DPFEs cause their stock Ford one went out. I also asked him about the reconsructed model, and he says that if mine was metal that it was the newer model.
I'm one of those people that believe "you get what you pay for" so I'm a little weary of buying the cheaper part. So does anybody know if a GP Sorensen sensor is just as good as a Ford Motocraft??????

Thanks in advance

 

Hold out for the plastic one.

Try contacting DirectFordParts.com (FTE sponser) and see what they can do for you. They usually have great prices on OEM stuff.

 

So your saying i should go for the plastic?? Nothing showed up for a DPFE or as the site calls it a position sensor on that site.

 

Put in a new DPFE and gas milage is back to normal and engine light has stayed off for 200 mi. and coiunting.

 

Good for you Leroy, and thanks for getting back to close off this thread. Positive feedback with the fix is a big bonus here. It helps all kinds of people who do thread searches.

Fred

 

Wanting to fix the o4o1 code

Where is the location of this sensor along with EGR. Pas or Drv side
I pulled off TB and cleaned saw no ports. Are they in the intake - ?
Parts gut said had to pull intake to get to EGR - looks like it's little to left of TB under neath with about 1' tube attached - is that it ?
saw the recall - guess Ford didn't replace for free
thxs for any help

 

Actually, if you are (I think) at or under 48,000 miles, or have a receipt showing you paid for a replacement before then, Ford will pay for it.