EGR replace or Bypass ?

marlin758 · Post by **marlin758** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 3:37 pm

I have a 55 3.0D E53 - today I started her up and noticed a puff of blue smoke from the exhaust . Set off and she went into snail mode , wouldn't rev above 2000 rpm. I stopped and restarted and she was fine for the rest of the journey and return.

I checked for fault codes and it was showing P0401 which appears to be the EGR .

I am confused as to the relative merits of replacing the EGR valve or fitting an EGR bypass valve . Cost appears to be very similar.

Anyone any suggestions ?

mccabema · Post by **mccabema** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 7:35 pm

Just today, I replaced my EGR valve due to a gas recirculation error being thrown up.

I had thought about putting in a bypass valve, but there is a general sense of confusion regarding the merits of doing such a thing.

In the end, I decided to trust the white coats that developed these engines in the first place and replace like with like.

The EGR does not send emissions into the manifold at all times, the valve opens and closes, and does so at times that are beneficial to the combustion process.

Or something like that !

Basically, I can't say I know enough to side with the bypass theory, and my gut says das autos know best.

gareth82 · Post by **gareth82** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 7:46 pm

Was it expensive to replace like for like?

Thanks

mccabema · Post by **mccabema** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 7:53 pm

I buy from here:

http://eshop.original-teile.de/

Cheaper than a stealer and always spot on for parts.

Think it was about â‚¬110 aprox.

x555 · Post by **x555** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 8:08 pm

+1 Same here mccabema

I took my egr valve of when doing all my recent work (see manifold thread) to have a look and it was filthy inside

.....but not knowing too much about it and wondering wether it would affect the emissions with an mot etc i just cleaned it up and replaced it.
I do know if it's taken of there will be more power and almost certainly a cleaner engine......but we do have to keep the tree hugers happy don't we

EDIT: pics added

before and after and all the sh@t that came out

mccabema · Post by **mccabema** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 8:19 pm

I tried cleaning mine too...but the fault came back again a few weeks later.

The sense I got from my research, was that there is slightly more to it than just keeping the tree huggers

happy.

As important as this is.....opinion is divided on whether to bypass or not.

marlin758 · Post by **marlin758** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 7:03 am

Thanks guys .

I have decided to play safe and fit a new one

Got one from www.c3bmw.co.uk Â£46 inc postage

marlin758 · Post by **marlin758** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 7:44 am

Think I am confusing EGR and crankcase breather - approx where is the EGR situated ?

mccabema · Post by **mccabema** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 9:07 am

To the right of the manifold up the front.

Remove the engine cover and you'll see it.

x555 · Post by **x555** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 9:19 am

I thought that sounded cheap for an egr valve as i'm sure there about Â£140 ish new.
mccabemea did you replace yours seconf hand or go with a new one?

x555 · Post by **x555** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 9:34 am

[quote=""marlin758""]Think I am confusing EGR and crankcase breather - approx where is the EGR situated ?[/quote]

#Here you go marlin.
EGR valve circled in red
Oil breather circled in blue .....well circled ish

my it skills are to be improved

marlin758 · Post by **marlin758** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 7:31 pm

Hi x555

That is brilliant - your circling skills are more than adequate ! LOL

I know where I am looking now - may as well change both while I am in there and have ordered the engine breather . Oooops

Thanks again

marlin758 · Post by **marlin758** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 9:11 am

Follow up - I changed the engine breather yesterday and removed the EGR Valve - there was a large carbon build up on the steel pin of the valve which would prevent it opening properly and on the wall of the body opposite the exhaust inlet was a major ridge of carbon which would hinder the air flow through the valve .

I decided to try cleaning it - sprayed it with carb cleaner - brush , soak in gunk etc , Ended up looking like new . Quick spray of WD40 and checked the valve would open ok.

The engine breather looked reasonably ok - foam filter looked a bit dirty but changed it for the new design so peace of mind at least !

Reassembled everything and it may be wishful thinking but the car definitely seems smoother at low revs and gentle acceleration.

Tried a couple of test runs and no problems / codes up to now

Have a 120 mile round trip to do today so that should check it out and also ensure that I retightened everything correctly. Though I do tend to check everything 3 times nowadays - once to check it , again to ensure I have tightened it and the third time because I can't remember if I checked it or not !

Powercat · Post by **Powercat** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 7:04 pm

x555

Thank you for this thread, a big help today when I was changing my air filter and i did the breather aswell, that EGR was full of shit

fordsmith · Post by **fordsmith** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 4:57 pm

I think EGR replace is more useful than EGR bypass. Because if your replace EGR valve than it will be brand new with your car and so new EGR valve will give you more good performance, And if you bypass the EGR valce than the same problem can occur again. So always prefer EGR replace rather to choose EGR bypass.

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