Hi All,
Thanks to everyone particpating in this forum! It's a great resource.

After reading about cleaning the EGR on the 6.0 I felt it should be added to my preventive maintenance procedures. It appears easy enough and until I make a full delete it would seem logical only to keep it clean. After reading the excellent material here on the process I called my local dealer and asked for a quote on the gasket kit, $6.00 no biggie, I'll be down in a few to pick it up.

Upon my arrival (parts guy here is excellent to deal with) I pick up the gasket kit and place an order for a some exterior cosmetic parts, in walks the tech for the dealership. I told him what I was going to do and that it was only being done for preventive maintenance, he stated why fix something if it is not broke? Well I kindly stated to him that I would rather not wait until it breaks because of the cost of a cleaning compared to a new EGR valve etc. I asked him how many had he seen go bad or had to work on, he stated not many at all and he don't clean them anymore being it is easier to replace the valve. Seems like I remember reading that ford now recommends cleaning the EGR valve (TSB #06-19-6) prior to replacement.

On to the comment, he stated to warm the engine up turn it off, pull the valve but leave it connected so not to throw a code then crank it back up with the valve pulled! This he stated will clean the entire EGR system not just the valve and port as described here.

http://www.forddoctorsdts.com/articles/article-06-12.php
and
http://www.forddoctorsdts.com/articles/article-05-15.php

He stated it will smoke like a train but will blow out debris. This is totally different that what I have ever read here or anywhere and seems way way off. I didn't argue but I am very sceptical of this, coolant? Gas? what would happen? Before anyone falls off the chair after hearing this, I dont know how long this tech has been working and I have heard he is "the diesel man" at this dealer and yes he drives a PSD. I don't think this is the route at all but wanted to chime in on this and hear everyones opinion here regarding this process or if anyone has ever heard of it being done in this fashion?

I am prepairing to do it like discussed here, engine off, unplug valve, pull valve, clean with carb cleaner, clean port and vaccume out, replace all gaskets and replace valve to torque specs, easy enough. I am curious to see what it looks like too! Pics to follow.

My Truck....
2003 6.0 PSD 4x4 King Ranch Crew Cab
199,630 effortless and painless miles runs like a champ!
Latest flash
Cat/Muff delete whistles like an F14 (Totally stock otherwise)
15/40 rotella religiously at every 4,000
Total maintenance down to the zerk fittings
Only issue to date.. EGR Cooler hose leak, $29.00.

Thanks for your input...

 

Sounds like bull sh@t to Me. If you pull the EGR and start the Enigne you will get exhust gas out of the EGR hole and who know what will happen. Do it the way in the Tech folder. just My 2 cents good luck.

 

This is interesting, I hope someone chimes in that actually knows if this would work or not, otherwise I may find myself trying it . Doesnt sound like it would though...

 

Is there an online store where I can get the gasket kit. Also what do I clean the valve with
Thanks
Nick

 

Clean the valve with Carb cleaner--NOT brake cleaner since brake cleaner is supposed to damage the valve. O-ring kit number is/was 3C3Z-9P455-AB. Try Direct Ford Parts, a site sponsor, from the links provided.

 

I just recently cleaned my valve. It was a mess and i only had 17,500 miles. It came out looking like new when done and i replaced the o-rings on install. A couple hundred miles later it was in the dealer to have the turbo cleaned and when i got it back they stated they replaced the egr. So my cleaning kind of seemed like a waste after they replaced it but it was a learning experience. Pics are in my gallery though of the valve at 17,500, truck now has 19,500 so i'll pull it again when the time comes and see what it looks like.

 

exhaust will come out of the egr passage if you start the truck without the valve in the hole. it may clean the egr passages to some degree, but i have seen some coolers stopped slam up and the15 psi at idle and 20 when you gun it, will never be enough to unstop a cooler.

ford wants us to replace egr valves, not clean them any more. egr valves will get dirty no matter what you do because they are always surrounded by soot. i have replaced so many egr valves it isnt funny. the valves are crap plain and simple. to weak to do what they have to, thats why the 64 valve is stronger. you guys dont have to constantly clean the egr valve. you are wasting money and time.

 

So I should just let it fail me on a trip. And then go replace it with a new one. I dont get that Why woulnt I just keep it clean and not have to keep replacing it,
Nick

 

I have read about doing this before. Removing the EGR valve and starting the engine.
I have never done it myself and do not know if I would recommend doing it. But this is not the first time that I have heard of it.

 

a dirty egr valve will not fail just because it is dirty. even a clean egr valve can fail. the valve can fail in many ways and have help from the egr cooler if it starts to leak. clean them if you guys want to. i know better.

 

Sounds like the better approach might be to buy a spare EGR valve and keep it in your glove box along with O-rings and tools to replace it. Just like many 7.3 guys do with their CPS. If your EGR fails, just replace it and keep trucking.

 

I replaced my turbo up pipe with the EGR blocker plate installed. The stock pipe has serious restriction and blocks off almost 1/2 of the exhaust (the other half directed into the EGR ). I have been happy with this mod no more EGR problems (I hope). The other big plus is I get better MPG, lower EGT's and more power you can feel.

 

How much money is a EGR valve and do I have to get this at the stealer ship or Can I get it online
Nick

 

Lots of interesting opinions here! Thats what makes a forum. I can see value in all of them, having a spare EGR valve is a good idea and a easy piece of insurance for $68.87, Cleaning it before an issue would arise is sound advice and anything performed in a prevenative way is a sound practice to me. I am definatly not superstitious however, as many trouble free miles that I have, the don't fix something that isnt broke and/or save the hassle and time definalty weighs equally as heavy. Cranking the truck with the valve removed and still plugged in?... I will leave that for the next test pilot .

Let's see what Saturday holds as far as time, if I pull it, I will take some pictures as I am sure at my mileage, maintenance habbits it should be interesting to see.

Thanks again for the comments.

Ps. npccpartsman is correct on the current part # for the package of two O-Rings and one gasket required according to what I purchased yesterday at the dealership.

 

where can i get one for that price?