The occurrence of errors with codes P0401, P0403, P0404 - P0409 and the "Check Engine" signal on the dashboard is a sign of a malfunction of the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system. The system is installed on vehicles with diesel and gasoline (non-turbocharged) engines that meet the EURO3 - EURO5 standards. Most often, errors occur due to sensors, actuator and system valve.
The valve can be repaired, or it can be physically muffled and the entire control chain for the supply of exhaust gases to the intake tract disconnected. It is necessary to decide whether to restore the system in its original form or to take a radical step - removing the USR, after weighing the arguments "for" and "against".
What is the USR system for?
The emergence of the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation system) in a car engine is not so much associated with the struggle for environmental friendliness as it was the result of the struggle to increase its motor resource. The method of returning part of the exhaust gases to the combustion chamber was patented and applied by German designers back in the 30s of the last century. At that time, few people thought about reducing the toxicity of car exhaust. The main task of "diluting" the working mixture with exhaust gases was to reduce the maximum temperature of its combustion to prevent detonation, which destroys the parts of the CPG.
How the recirculation system (EGR) works
The EGR principle of operation is the same on all engine models. During maximum load at medium speed, a strictly defined amount of exhaust gases from the exhaust manifold is supplied to the intake manifold. The volume of supplied exhaust gas (5 - 12% of the total air volume in the mixture) increases simultaneously with an increase in the ignition timing and decreases with a decrease.
The valve regulates the flow, which opens when a certain number of engine revolutions is reached (usually from 1500 rpm). It closes after a set of maximum revolutions or their fall to "idle".
The valve drive can be vacuum or electronic. Depends on the year of manufacture, type and design of the engine.
The negative effect of EGR on engine performance
Coping with its main function - lowering the temperature in the combustion chamber - the system contributes to the formation of non-combustible soot particles in the exhaust gases. The longer and more efficiently the EGR works, the more soot is formed in the exhaust gases, which the engine is "fed" with using the EGR.
Getting into the intake tract, soot particles form a dense carbon deposit on its walls, the working surface and the valve stem itself, narrowing the channel lumen. A change in the ratio of air and fuel supplied to the combustion chamber in favor of fuel leads to an increase in the ignition temperature of the working mixture. Detonation occurs, the content of nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gas increases.
In advanced cases (when the valve "soured" under the layer of soot and does not close), the flow of exhaust gases into the working area becomes constant. There are signs of a malfunction: the acceleration dynamics and engine power of the car fall, soot formation in the exhaust gases increases, the diesel particulate filter (DPF) gets clogged, and the catalyst resource decreases.
Why remove the EGR valve
The service life of the original EGR valve is limited. Depending on the brand and manufacturer of the car, its resource can be up to 150 thousand kilometers. In domestic conditions, it rarely "holds out" to 70 thousand.
The main reasons for the refusal of drivers from EGR:
- high cost of repair and maintenance of the system;
- the unit is difficult to clean;
- negative consequences for the engine in case of violation of the recirculation mode;
- the engine can work without this design.
The correctness of the recirculation mechanism depends on the quality of the fuel. When operating a car on poorly cleaned fuel containing a large percentage of sulfur compounds and additives, soot must be removed 1-2 times a year. Therefore, drivers prefer to simply get rid of the "problem" device.
How to remove the USR correctly
Some car owners practice independent, "physical" EGR shutdown with the installation of an artisanal gasket that covers the valve openings. There are even original gaskets on sale, for example, from General Motors. But it is possible to manage with one plug installation only on old "diesel engines", where the EGR operation is regulated by vacuum (pneumatic mechanical drive). On most modern cars, an electro-pneumatic or electronic control circuit - signals to open and close the exhaust gas supply come from the electronic control unit.
For a complete EGR removal, it is necessary to simultaneously remove the valve and programmatically disable the EGR with the controller flashing. Some circuits require additional installation of an emulator of "correct" readings of the valve position sensors, flow meter and lambda probe. Only then will it be possible to avoid the repeated occurrence of errors and frequent transitions of the engine to the "emergency" mode.
Consequences of removing the EGR valve: pros and cons
Benefits of not EGR:
- clean intake manifold;
- reduction of exhaust smoke;
- increase in power at medium speeds;
- no need to maintain and change expensive components.
At the same time, you can programmatically disable the particulate filter and lambda probe, chip tuning the engine, as well as remove the power limitation introduced by the manufacturer.
The disadvantages of the method are an increase in the temperature of fuel combustion and the content of nitrogen oxides in the exhaust of a car. Possible consequences include the occurrence of detonation in a certain range of engine speeds, a decrease in the resource of engine oil, and an increase in the risk of microcracks in the cylinder head.
Problems with a lack of traction at low revs, power "dips" and black smoky exhaust do not always arise from the USR. It is possible to make a diagnosis 100% accurately by performing complex diagnostics at the stand.
John Lennon urged to give the world a chance, lying naked on the bed during his next protest action. Environmentalists have taken this much more seriously, and in an attempt to give the world at least some chance of salvation, they force manufacturers to “choke” automobile engines until they lose consciousness. The introduction of EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) was supposed to reduce the content of nitrogen oxides NOx in the exhaust.
In general, this is the only task that the exhaust gas recirculation system solves. There are several versions of this system, but the principle of operation of EGR is always the same: a certain amount of exhaust gases through the valve goes back to the engine. This recirculation helps to reduce the combustion temperature, especially in gasoline engines. And just a high temperature is the condition for the appearance of nitrogen oxides.
Nothing else is affected by EGR. This is a purely "ecological" feature of a modern motor. Unfortunately, her resource is quite limited, and a time comes when the system stops working as expected (more precisely, it stops working altogether). And then excluding the entire system from engine management becomes a good way out of the situation. To be more convincing, let's say that a serviceable EGR does not work anyway at high speeds or in emergency mode - under such conditions, the factory program of the control unit provides for its complete closure.
There is no need to be afraid of turning off EGR: the only unpleasant consequence will be an increased content of nitrogen oxides in the exhaust, but if you put some unknown nitrogen on one side of the scale, and trouble-free operation of the car on the other, then the second, of course, will outweigh. For ecology is ecology, and nerves are more expensive.
How and why does EGR stop working?
There are several options for typical EGR failures. This is a jammed valve, an open circuit in the actuator or valve position sensor and unaccounted for (or leak) air. Within each option, several types of breakdowns can also be distinguished, so we will slightly consider each of these breakdowns separately.
The most common case is a jammed valve.
We all know very well that when fuel burns, soot is formed. Over time, its amount settling in the valve makes it difficult to move. And the valve, of course, wedges. Two options are possible here: either it remains in the closed version, or in the open one. Here, how lucky, and more fortunate if the valve remains in the closed position. In this case, the soot at least does not enter the internal combustion engine. By the way, sometimes this method of turning off EGR is practiced - the valve is simply closed by software. Why this is not the best way - a little later.
The open position is bad, first of all, because all combustion waste directly flies into the cylinders. If you look at how EGR works, you can see an interesting picture: in many engine operating modes, the valve is closed and does not take any part in the operation of the engine - for example, at high speeds and under heavy load. To put it very roughly, the closed position is more natural and does no harm. Unless, of course, the EGR error does not change the operation of other systems that are associated with recirculation.
Since valve sticking is the most common EGR malfunction, consider what is the most common cause and how you can try to delay valve demise.
In general, of course, it is clear that the main enemy of the valve is poor oil and unstable fuel quality. To a greater extent, this applies to diesel engines, although in many respects it is also applicable to gasoline. Although we are convinced that the quality of our gasoline and diesel fuel is quite at the European level, in fact this is true only for large chain filling stations, and even then not for everyone. The market for notoriously bad fuel, both gasoline and diesel, still exists in Russia and is even flourishing.
Good and timely maintenance is essential for a long EGR life. It is clear that a clogged diesel particulate filter and oil, which was last changed on the same day as the fall of the Berlin Wall, do nothing to contribute to EGR longevity. By the way, under good conditions, the system may well live 150-180 thousand kilometers. True, it should initially be normal, and not as constructively flawed as, for example, on some SsangYongs.
The second common reason is a malfunction of the engine itself. There can be many options. Any reason that increases the smoke of the exhaust is guaranteed to reduce the EGR resource. For example, a dirty air filter, charge air leaks, a leaking injector, or stuck piston rings. This is a very important factor, especially for those who, by virtue of their convictions, will restore EGR performance. Repairs are usually not cheap, so before dealing with the recirculation system, you need to make sure that the internal combustion engine itself is working properly. Otherwise, there is a chance in the very near future to remain again with a stuck valve.
And finally, the most paradoxical reason for the valve to jam is its suicide. Yes, oddly enough, the EGR valve has a constructive suicidal tendency. Here again you have to go a little deeper into the physics of the motor. Let's do it not hard at all, just touch this process a little.
So, let's imagine a graph on which on one axis there will be the combustion temperature of the mixture, on the other - the level of nitrogen oxides and the intensity of particulation (the appearance of solid particles in the exhaust gases). If you draw the NOx curve, then it will increase with increasing temperature. But the curve showing the amount of particulate matter will, on the contrary, fall. At a certain point, they will intersect.
The difficulty is that the less nitrogen oxides in the exhaust, the better the ecologists, but the worse the engine is - the more particulates (soot particles) are emitted. The task of engineers is to find the most balanced solution: it is necessary both to reduce NOx in the exhaust gases, and not to reduce the resource of the engine. And yet, in any case, this solution will be a compromise, and the fewer oxides in the exhaust, the more difficult the EGR life will turn out due to clogging of the valve with soot. And so it turns out that this system destroys itself in the course of operation, solely only doing its job of reducing NOx in the exhaust. Unfortunately, there is no escape from this.
A second, less common error is an open circuit in the actuator or valve position sensor. In this case, the error will appear as a mismatch between the setpoint and the actual valve position. However, in the first case it will be the same, so the diagnosis must be carried out, and not just anywhere.
And, finally, the third mistake is unaccounted for air. Here we are talking about a simple leak in the system.
Since the nature of errors in all three cases is different, the methods of repair and, in part, diagnostics are also different. Of course, they also depend on the motor design. For example, EGR errors are often accompanied by errors in the measurement of air flow, that is, errors in the air mass sensor (MAF-sensor). And in older systems with vacuum control, there are errors in turbocharging. So the diagnosis must be taken seriously.
So, let's say that we have found a malfunction, and now we want to get rid of it. How can I do that?
Solving EGR problems
I'm not a fan of bulleted lists, but here it comes in handy. So, you can eliminate the malfunction in the following ways:
- replacement of the valve with a new original part;
- use of Chinese counterparts;
- removal of EGR from the system with software shutdown;
- programmed closing of the valve.
We have already spoken about the first method. It is not the simplest and cheapest, but it has a right to exist. The main thing to remember is that if the system is out of order ahead of schedule (thousand per hundred mileage or less), then, most likely, there is some problem in the motor. It must be found and eliminated, otherwise the valve replacement may be repeated in the near future, and you will simply throw money down the drain. More precisely, the exhaust.
We will not talk about the second method at all. No comment here.
The cheapest and most reliable is the third way. It is they who are usually used when the EGR is turned off.
So, here it is necessary to separate the mechanical and software parts of the work. What do you need to do with the mechanics?
In general, the task is to shut off the flow through the valve. The first thing they do is put a stub. Many people find it easy to do this. This is partly true. But do not try to put a plug made of thin paronite or a beer can in the way of hot exhaust gases. Such plugs burn out very quickly, sometimes they generally last until the first good pressing on the gas pedal. The plug should be made of steel, better than stainless steel, and its thickness should be at least 2.5-3 mm.
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While it is usually not difficult to weld the valve or dismantle it and install the diffuser, dismantling the valve with the cooler can be difficult. If the valve has its own cooler, then plugs are simply placed on the EGR inlet and outlet pipes. This is the case, for example, when working with BMW M-series engines. But, for example, Volkswagen or BMW N series engines do not have an autonomous circuit, here the cooling system has to be “ringed”.
If the mechanical part of the work in most services is still coped with, then errors are encountered with the software part on a regular basis. So what needs to be done with the software?
First, prohibit the valve from opening. Everything seems to be clear here, if the programmer knows how to find the corresponding EGR cards in the firmware, but then everything can be much more complicated: it is necessary to exclude errors in the EGR system, that is, to completely remove it from the program.
Here some programmers go too far and delete everything that comes to hand. Often their intervention affects the entire diagnostic system, after which the elimination of the consequences becomes a long and difficult process. And, as a rule, expensive (time is money, obviously).
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In addition, you should turn off the emergency mode, which sends a non-working EGR. And finally, on some cars, you need to recalibrate the maps by air (air flow through the MAF), if the software does not do this automatically. Sometimes this is also forgotten, and the ECU goes crazy, trying to understand what kind of air came from, where there is so much oxygen in it, and what to do with this incomprehensible mixture.
And now the last way is to programmatically give a command to close the EGR valve. This method may not always be used. For example, it is justified when physical access to the EGR is difficult due to the design features of the vehicle. And it is completely impossible if the valve has already jammed: the program will not move such a valve. There is only one way out - to disassemble and do everything humanly.
The reliability of this method is not always absolute. First of all, due to the fact that it is not always possible to guarantee that the valve is completely closed. This can lead to the ingress of soot and other combustion waste into the cylinders, as well as to an unaccounted amount of air entering through a leaky valve. Therefore, it is still preferable to jam the EGR completely: mechanically and programmatically at the same time.
To be or not to be?
The last question remains: when should I go to the EGR removal service? Let's say we were able to convince you that nothing terrible will happen if you get rid of this capricious system completely. When is the best time to do this?
I have already said about the valve resource: there is no need to worry about thousands of up to 150 kilometers with good maintenance. If you look at the statistics, then diesel cars, due to EGR failure, account for about 80% of service calls, and only 20% for gasoline ones. Which is logical, because there is more soot in diesel fuel.
In any case, you will definitely have to monitor the condition of the motor. Timely replacement of oil, filters, high-quality fuel is a prerequisite. But over time, all the same, something will start to wear out. And if the nozzle can be repaired or replaced (although it is also quite expensive on most modern diesel engines), then changing the rings without obvious signs of engine wear just for the sake of EGR is probably not entirely reasonable. Moreover, the resource of the cylinder-piston group is still greater than that of the EGR valve, which will bend regularly even with a small and far from critical wear of the CPG. We have to draw a disappointing conclusion: restoring EGR is often economically unjustified and almost useless.
At the same time, do not forget that the recirculation system is not always to blame for the burning "Check engine" light and leaving the "accident". The cause of these sad phenomena will be established only by diagnostics - as well as the reasons for increased smoke, poor dynamics and increased fuel consumption.
For starters, the EGR system is installed on a diesel engine to meet the stringent environmental regulations and standards that apply in developed countries. EGR is primarily intended to reduce the level of nitrogen oxides in engine exhaust gases.
The system partially redirects the exhaust gases back to the intake manifold, due to which the amount of oxygen in the fuel-air mixture is reduced, the formation of nitrogen oxides becomes less intense and the toxicity of the exhaust is within the specified standards.
The EGR valve opens at the right time, allowing a portion of the total exhaust gas to flow back into the intake to be fed into the engine cylinders. As practice shows, the EGR valve is often clogged during operation. The need to muffle the EGR arises due to the fact that soot and other exhaust components quickly disable the specified element, the clogged system prevents the supply of clean air for the most efficient combustion.
On high-quality European diesel fuel, cleaning the EGR valve may be required once every 40 or even 60 thousand km. Driving on domestic diesel fuel makes the specified procedure to be performed every 20-30 thousand km.
Moreover, the relevance of equipping the engine with such a system is questioned by many experts. Disabling the USR naturally leads to an increase in the level of emissions of nitrogen oxides. In parallel with this, emissions of soot, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are significantly reduced. Also, after disabling the USR system, fuel consumption decreases, since the amount of oxygen in the intake increases and the mixture burns more efficiently in the cylinders.
In other words, the usefulness of such an exhaust recirculation system is questionable. Environmental performance improves marginally compared to loss of engine power, increased fuel consumption and EGR service costs.
There are also separate statements that the rapid contamination of the EGR valve and the supply of exhaust to the intake lead to increased carbon formation and. Malfunctions of the EGR system, which are often associated with incorrect operation of the EGR valve, lead to unstable engine operation and increased fuel consumption. Soot and tar gets into the motor, an accelerated process takes place, which greatly affects the overall one.
The need to turn off the USR system often arises on runs of about 80-120 thousand km. The fact is that after such a run, the engine wears out a little. The exhaust gases that are redirected to the intake have a higher degree of contamination. Further, they are mixed with crankcase gases, and the result is the appearance of a thick layer of tarry deposits in the intake manifold, on the EGR valve, and also on the engine itself.
The intake flow area becomes clogged with deposits, the diesel engine gradually loses power. A clogged EGR valve leads to errors, the car may suddenly go into emergency mode. It is quite obvious that in such a situation it is necessary to urgently repair the exhaust gas recirculation system or to turn it off by muffling the EGR valve.
How to muffle the USR valve with your own hands
To begin with, the correct shutdown of the EGR system involves:
- mechanical damping of the valve;
- software shutdown in the control unit;
At the initial stage, a mechanical plug of the USR valve is installed. Further, the shutdown of the EGR system is carried out using electronic equipment. It should be added that only on some models it is enough to physically muffle the Ugr valve. Often, after the mechanical shutdown procedure, software shutdown of the EGR valve in the control unit is additionally required. Otherwise, it will record an error in the operation of the exhaust gas recirculation system, “check” is displayed on the instrument panel, the engine goes into emergency mode with limited power output.
In general terms, the most simplified version of the EGR valve plug installation assumes:
- Removing the valve. The specified element is most often located in the area of the intake manifold and is fastened with several bolts.
- If necessary, the intake manifold is additionally removed and the intake manifold channels are cleaned from dirt.
- Next, you need to remove the gasket, which is located at the place where the valve is attached.
- After removal, the gasket plays the role of a template, according to which it is necessary to cut out from the steel sheet a similar in shape, but completely blind stub gasket. The plug will only have holes for the fastening bolts.
Please note that the plug will come into contact with hot exhaust gases under pressure during operation. For this reason, it is necessary to make a gasket of the appropriate thickness in order to exclude the possibility of its rapid burnout. We add that the ready-made plug of the EGR valve is also available on the free market. To order a solution suitable for a specific model, you can use the search on specialized automotive forums.
- The next step is the reverse installation of the Egr valve. At the attachment point, a standard gasket and a new plug are combined. Be careful when retightening the bolts as they may be fragile.
- At the end, it is necessary to realize the disconnection of the vacuum hoses, since it is no longer necessary to open the valve by means of the vacuum system.
- The final step in the recirculation shutdown procedure is to make adjustments to the firmware of the engine control unit in order to programmatically disable the EGR error.
Advantages and disadvantages of turning off the USR
The only drawback of removing the USR can be considered an increase in the toxicity of exhaust gases. There are many more advantages. After plugging the EGR valve on a diesel engine, the owners note a sharper response to pressing the gas pedal in moderate load modes, the so-called turbodiesel becomes less noticeable. During operation under load, the engine emits less smoke, the service life of the particulate filter increases, and the intervals between cleaning it increase. The service life of the engine oil is also extended, the engine is better cleaned, less prone to coking and wear.
It should be noted that although a noticeable increase in the power of the diesel engine does not occur after disabling the USR system, the engine becomes more responsive, and the car itself feels more dynamic when driving.
Finally, we add that if a decision is made to make a power one or to make an installation, then turning off the exhaust gas recirculation system is an extremely recommended procedure.
Read also
Diesel internal combustion engine firmware, advantages and disadvantages of chip tuning. Negative consequences of chip tuning of a turbodiesel engine.
We considered the device of the EGR valve, how it works, gave examples of malfunctions and the reasons causing them. And today we will pay close attention to the direct shutdown of the valve, why the owners go for it and, most importantly, how to turn off the USR valve with their own hands.
EGR valve l6735 Chevrolet Lacetti
Why turn off the EGR valve?
We already know that, in principle, the USR system is designed to recirculate exhaust gases back into the intake system for mixing with gasoline or diesel. Due to recirculation, the amount of clean air is reduced, therefore the formation of various nitrogen oxides is also reduced, compared to if only pure oxygen were used.
The main element in this system is the EGR valve, which is responsible for opening the "path" for the exhaust gases at a certain moment, directing them to the intake manifold. Thus, the proportion of oxygen is reduced, and, accordingly, the combustion temperature. We must understand the root causes of the appearance of the system, this is a reduction in emissions, and they just have the greatest effect at a high combustion temperature. Therefore, the circulation of exhaust gases allows you to reduce emissions by lowering the combustion temperature.
Thus, through the valve, a part of the total share of exhaust gases is transferred back to the engine (usually the system is set to rpm, after 2,000 the valve opens and releases exhaust gases), reducing emissions into the atmosphere. But, you yourself understand that the exhaust gases are "dirty", and passing through the valve, they clog it, which makes it periodically necessary to clean it. A clogged valve disrupts the mixture formation process, that is, it prevents the supply of clean air and, at the same time, does not even allow the exhaust gases to pass through in the required quantities. As a result, the mixture is too rich, more fuel is supplied than usual. The engine becomes clogged with carbon deposits, the USR valve itself is covered with carbon deposits, a film of unburned mixture appears on the cylinders, which means the rapid wear of the piston group.
And most importantly, after turning off the USR, fuel consumption is reduced. When the USR is turned off, the fuel mixture is formed better, without waste impurities, the amount of oxygen increases, which is why the fuel mixture burns more efficiently in the cylinders, without leaving carbon deposits.
And besides, recently they began to openly say that, as such, the benefits of the valve are almost zero. If, during the operation of the valve, the emission of nitrogen into the atmosphere is reduced, then when it is turned off, the emission of soot, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide is reduced.
Plus, with a dirty valve, the internal combustion engine malfunctions are observed, the power is reduced,. As you can see, there are many more real reasons to disable this system.
That is, the following group of reasons can be distinguished in which cases it is decided to turn off the EGR valve:
The valve is dirty, there is no desire to clean it or buy a new one.
Problems with sensors on which the mixture formation depends.
Rapid wear of the cylinder-piston group.
Increased fuel consumption.
Reducing the power of the internal combustion engine.
ICE operation.
It is worth noting that all these reasons in most cases appear after the valve fails or becomes dirty. And its diagnostics, replacement, repair, cleaning is a rather expensive undertaking, therefore, the most attractive domestic drivers see a banal blocking of the operation of this system in whole or in part.
How to turn off the EGR valve?
First you need to understand that in addition to the mechanical part of the USR system, there is also an electronic one, which sends indicators to the ECU, affecting the formation of the fuel mixture. Accordingly, for the correct shutdown of the valve, you need to use:
Electronic jamming.
Mechanical intervention.
But, not always the owners apply, both options. Rather, on the contrary, in the process of jamming, they resort to the least costly and complex, namely mechanical blocking. So, options for disabling the EGR valve:
1. The most banal thing that every driver can do is simply to "throw" the chip off the valve. But, there is a drawback, on almost all machines after such manipulations the "check" is constantly lit. It is not so easy to throw it off, therefore, in the event of any really malfunction, the driver is unlikely to know about it in advance. Not the best way to turn off.
2. Replacing the valve gasket. At the valve attachment point in the intake manifold, there is a gasket with inlet holes, etc. What do you need to do? Cut out a similar gasket according to the template, completely "blind" without any holes. Naturally, do not forget about the mount.
Any material can be used, even aluminum, brass, stainless steel. But, keep in mind that the exposure temperature will always be high, so it is better to select the appropriate thickness immediately so that the gasket will last longer.
USR valve plug installed
In some cars, the plug also causes errors in the ECU, respectively, "" will light up. Remember this.
3. Many car owners generally act "barbarously", in the channel where the EGR valve is, they tighten the usual bolt with the desired thread, if necessary, the thread is even cut.
4. Installation of a plug not only after the valve, but also before it. Since, installing metal plates, removing the chip, the exhaust gases will still get on the valve, contaminate it and disrupt the operation of the internal combustion engine. To get rid of this, it is necessary to close the channel for the intake of exhaust gases from the exhaust manifold to the intake. There are usually simple hoses twisted onto a nut, like plumbing. On many machines, instead of attaching the hose to the valve, either a coin or a metal circle is inserted in shape and size. Thus, blocking the flow of gases from the exhaust manifold.
5. The most effective and efficient way, it includes software shutdown of the EGR valve through the ECU. In this case, the "check" will not light up due to a violation of the circulation. In all these cases, "check" would definitely "jump out". But, with the introduction of amendments to the "brains", you can solve this problem. But, you need to have experience, knowledge, equipment, which can not be found in every service.
Software jamming involves removing the EGR valve firmware from the ECU. That is, with the help of a computer and a special program for this. As a rule, large service stations have craftsmen specializing in this topic. By switching off the valve by software, there is even no need for mechanical jamming. After that, many do not even disconnect the chips and drive with a valve. Indeed, by and large, the "brains" no longer give the command to open / close the valve and there is no need to dismantle it. But, others advise to do physical jamming in pairs, in one of the ways listed above.
Conclusion
As a result, I would like to emphasize that in our country it is still possible to turn off this valve without consequences. Large-scale industries do much more harm, so you can calm your own conscience. Moreover, disabling this system allows not only to reduce consumption, increase engine power, but also increase the resource not only of the internal combustion engine itself, but also of various sensors that depend on it.
There are a lot of options for switching off, the main thing is to understand that with mechanical intervention, it will not be possible to turn off the electronics, which is why the constantly burning "check" will cause inconvenience. A really effective way to turn off this system completely, to make changes in the "brains", the main thing is to find a good master.
The recirculation system in the engine serves to redirect the unburned fuel mixture from the exhaust tract to the intake, where the gases can be recycled, due to this, better combustion occurs.
- 1 How to muffle the EGR valve
- 2 What happens if you plug off the EGR valve on a diesel
- 3 Disconnection of the EGR valve on the 1.9 TDI diesel Audi / VW
- 4 Checking the EGR valve Opel Astra G
- 5 Harm and benefits of the EGR valve
- 6 How to muffle the egr valve on a diesel engine: video
If the EGR valve fails, it is not always possible to restore its operability, and not everyone can buy a new mechanism - the device for many cars is very expensive. In this article, we will look at how to correctly eliminate the recirculation system, without losing engine power.
How to muffle the EGR valve
When the SRVG channels on the motor are clogged, and the recirculation valve (EGR) stops working, soot flies into the intake tract, the gases are not purified. Instead of environmentally friendly exhaust, soot is produced at the exit, and the internal combustion engine not only smokes, but also loses in dynamics, works with failures.
The design of exhaust gas recirculation may differ depending on the car model, but the principle of the SRVG device is the same on all cars. How to plug the EGR valve? Basically, it is muffled very simply:
- the device is completely dismantled from the engine;
- a plug made of heat-resistant material is installed in its place.
But not on all car models you can simply install a plug - the electronics detects a violation of the proportion of the mixture, and in this case the Check Engine lamp lights up on the instrument panel. There is a way to programmatically disable the USR by flashing the control unit.
Consider an example of how you can eliminate the recirculation system on the gasoline engine of a Chevrolet Lacetti car. We proceed as follows:
Now the exhaust gases will not enter the intake manifold, so the soot will stop clogging the intake tract.
What happens if you turn off the EGR valve on a diesel engine
There is information on the Internet that if you turn off the EGR valve on a diesel engine, the engine will not only emit more harmful exhaust into the atmosphere, but also overheat. One can argue about the theory for a long time, but practice shows that car owners do not experience any special problems with the engine after turning off the EGR valve, on the contrary, the diesel works even better:
- dips disappear when you press the gas pedal;
- the dynamics of the car improves;
- the smoke that is present with a clogged recirculation system disappears.
Of course, the toxicity of exhaust gases with recirculation turned off will be slightly higher than with a working EGR valve. But if there are soot deposits in the SRVG (and with an unimportant quality of diesel fuel, they accumulate quickly), then with the recirculation of harmful impurities turned on, there are even more harmful impurities in the outlet. SRVG can work normally on cars that are operated in Europe on good diesel fuel. In Russia, the EGR valve does more harm to the engine than good, and it doesn't matter what kind of car it is - Toyota Corona or Volkswagen Passat, it makes no difference. 
Disconnecting the EGR valve on a 1.9 TDI diesel Audi / Volkswagen
On diesel 1.9 TDI Audi and Volkswagen, many car owners block the recirculation channel in any convenient place, thereby excluding the EGR valve. For example, you can lay metal foil at the junction of the USR with the intake manifold, and there is no harm from such modernization. Disabling EGR has practically no effect on fuel consumption, but the dynamics significantly increases, the engine stops "breathing" soot and soot.
Checking the EGR valve Opel Astra G
If the fuel consumption of the Opel Astra increased, the car began to "dull" and smoke, you should first of all carry out diagnostics. If error P1405 is detected, it is necessary to inspect the EGR valve, since the error shows that the malfunction is associated with this particular device.
To find out in what state the valve is, it must be removed, we carry out the removal work in the following order:
Harm and benefits of the EGR valve
The EGR system is primarily designed to purify exhaust gases and reduce their toxicity. Recirculation is most often found on diesel internal combustion engines, since the issue of reducing the level of CO in the exhaust tract is most relevant for diesel engines. But if you read the reviews of Russian car owners on the forums, it becomes clear that there is practically no benefit from SRVG. Of the minuses of the system (when coking channels), car owners note:
- premature wear of parts of the piston group with a clogged USR system;
- failures with a sharp increase in speed, a decrease in power;
- increased fuel consumption.
The fact that more fuel is consumed with a faulty SRVG is logical - the engine runs on an admixture of soot and soot, therefore the air-fuel mixture burns worse. The USR system works well on new engines, but as the internal combustion engine parts wear out, it only does harm.
