The EGR valve or EGR valve – How does it work? What is its role? What is the LED on your dashboard? How to maintain and crush it? How to recognize symptoms and avoid breakdowns? These topics are discussed in this dossier dedicated to the EGR valve.
The EGR valve: What is it? What is it used for?
The EGR valve stands for Exhaust Gas Recirculation.
The EGR valve was invented in the United States in the 1970s.
Tested for the first time by the American giant General Motors, the EGR valve reduces toxic gas emissions by reusing 5 to 35% of the exhaust gases.
The EGR valve is made mandatory on diesel vehicles by European anti-pollution standards.
How does an EGR valve work?
The principle of operation of an EGR valve is as follows:
When a diesel engine is running at low revs or at idle, some of the unburned exhaust gases are released into the atmosphere. To comply with European anti-pollution standards, car manufacturers had to install a valve part to redirect these gases to injection so that they could be burned a second time. This device, although very ingenious, has an immense disadvantage: it clogs the injection system, leading in some cases to the complete obstruction of the EGR valve.
If the valve valve remains in the closed position, your vehicle is operating completely normally. On the other hand, it pollutes more. However, a permanently open valve can severely damage your intake system.
That’s why the maintenance of your EGR valve is of paramount importance!
What are the signs and symptoms of a clogged EGR valve?
Its role is to return part of the exhaust gases to the engine intake circuit. By this operation, soot, or scale, will form and thus clog the EGR valve over time.
When clogged, it can damage several expensive engine parts, clog injectors, and damage your intake system.
Symptoms of EGR valve fouling are usually:
- A loss of power
- Black smoke
- An illuminated light on the dashboard
- Soot on the EGR valve
- A technical inspection refused
Do you notice any of these symptoms? Your EGR valve may be defective. Before embarking on repairs that can be expensive, check out our free diagnostic tool to help you see more clearly.
How to clean and maintain an EGR valve without disassembly?
How to clean it without using chemicals found in the form of sprays containing various polluting additives, without disassembly and effectively?
With FlexFuel hydrogen injection descaling, eliminate scale (soot) from your engine at a lower cost.
Hydrogen descaling is produced by the improvement of a natural phenomenon, which is the enrichment of the air/fuel mixture in your combustion engine. This process is efficient and non-aggressive since it does not introduce any chemicals and/or corrosives into your engine. The scale is simply dissolved in the engine, and is evacuated naturally with the exhaust gases where it is collected in a filter provided for this purpose.
Thanks to this operation, you will be able to find the proper functioning of this part, avoid its replacement (between 200 and 600 euros on average) and regain an original fuel consumption.
Do you have any doubts about the proper functioning of your EGR valve? Our free diagnostic tool allows you to have the first answers and find a mechanic specialized in the descaling of EGR valves.