Anyone cleaned their EGR valve

[Lemans x5]

Is cleaning the EGR valve easy?

I used to clean the boost solenoid on one of my old cars but never cleaned an EGR valve and dont really know where to start with it.

Is there an easy way of doing it without removing it?

Thanks

[moar]

For the sake of 4 bolts just take it out and let the mess go into a tub or cleaner.

You an also clean the "boost solenoid" on these cars but they're actually called the pressure converter solenoids. I have had to replace in the past due to the filter getting clogged in the past.

[Lemans x5]

Ah ok.  Is it the valve at the front right of the engine bay?

Thanks

[moar]

Correct.

[Lemans x5]

Thanks

[Smeeagain]

and what does cleaning it do? Apart from making it cleaner....

[Horizon]

[quote="Smeeagain"]
and what does cleaning it do? Apart from making it cleaner....
[/quote]it smooths out the flow of incoming air into the manifold, but more importantly it stops it getting stuck in the open position, which can cause rough running and stalling.
Most new cars now have an electronic EGR valve that cost a fortune to replace, also they can't be bypassed as easily as the E53 ones where you can just blank the vacuum hose of and do away with the valve opening and filling your inlet manifold with crappy carbon deposits.
I'm sure most swirl flaps fail due to being covered in crap from the EGR valve.
I cleaned mine, on and off and cleaned with carb cleaner within the hour, one of the bolts is a little tricky if I remember, but not a difficult job.
http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/index.php/t ... l#msg13738

[Smeeagain]

Thanks. Are there any downsides to doing this - are there nay potential problems that can be caused by doing it. You know, like the debate about changing gearbox oil or leaving well alone, or is it simply a case of when its clean its clean. A touch nervous as I have 180k miles of relatively problem free driving and a great believer in preventative maintenance counterbalanced by a pragmatic if it aint broke dont fix it approach.....

Cheers
Smee

[rhinoman]

Ours was done a cole of months ago after a dash message And limp mode. Initially must less smoke on acceleration but it's beginning to return, probably just get a new one next time.

[Smeeagain]

[quote="Smeeagain"]
Thanks. Are there any downsides to doing this - are there nay potential problems that can be caused by doing it. You know, like the debate about changing gearbox oil or leaving well alone, or is it simply a case of when its clean its clean. A touch nervous as I have 180k miles of relatively problem free driving and a great believer in preventative maintenance counterbalanced by a pragmatic if it aint broke dont fix it approach.....

Cheers
Smee
[/quote]

Anyone?

[moar]

Just leave it. It's quite rare to seem them coked up that badly like you see on online pictures.

It won't do any harm cleaning it though and you won't trigger anything.

[Smeeagain]

thanks

[storminmike]

I had a look at mine the other week.....how on earth do you get it off?

I know it's an allen key job but the ones I have (socket type) are too fat. Do you need a special type as one is completely obscured

[X5Sport]

Standard Allen key, and contortionists wrists!

I have a set of 3/8th drive ones that fitted.  Otherwise it's a set of right angled keys with a 'ball' head to allow you to angle the key a bit (up to 25deg) in the bolt head.

Like these as an example.

Richard

[storminmike]

[quote="X5Sport"]
Standard Allen key, and contortionists wrists!

I have a set of 3/8th drive ones that fitted.  Otherwise it's a set of right angled keys with a 'ball' head to allow you to angle the key a bit (up to 25deg) in the bolt head.

Like these as an example.

Richard
[/quote]

The 3/8th ones I have are stubby so the fat bit gets in the way and doesn't work

Those long ones seem the right idea I guess so thanks for the tip