Hello. I have a 2000 Accord EX and recently I got a check engine light. I went to Auto Zone to run a diagnostic and it read "EGR flow insufficient" so I got a new EGR valve and replaced it thinking that was the problem. A week later, the check engine light came back on with the same error code (P0401 if I remember correctly). The other answer to that fault code was a carbon buildup restricting the flow. Is there a way I can clean it out myself without having to spend a lot of money at the stealer? Thanks.

 

Since I didn't have any chemicals or anything that were guarunteed to be safe... I just removed my valve and used a flexible brush to try and scrape out as much as I could and vacuum it up... I had code p1491, which is valve lift insufficient, and since cleaning the valve with carb cleaner + scrubbing out the carbon buildup in the pipes... I think I might have a dead valve. So yeah, you and I are kind of in the same boat

 

its like 5 years old and its having problems already? dayum.

anyways, what you could do is get some seafoam and pour some in the intake manifold. that always seems to clear up clogged up engines.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by d112crzy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">its like 5 years old and its having problems already? dayum. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I recently bought the car from a lady who upgraded to a Range Roger. I heard a "myth" that the carbon buildup can be caused by always running the car at low RPMs and never bringing it up near the redline. No offense to women drivers, but I think this lady in particular was a very "conservative" driver and that may have contributed to the problem. As for the sea foam - I have heard about it before. How much would you recommend using in this case? And are there any potential problems this could cause? Thanks for your input.

 

Is this an L4 or V6?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MooGoCow3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Is this an L4 or V6?</TD></TR></TABLE>

It's a 4 cylinder VTEC.

 

good you have the easer one. Behind the engine on the intake there in an upper cover (upper plentum) that you can remove. pull it off and you should see a little "wall" of carbon in the passeges. Usually it looks just like a peice of the plentum so look closely.
I would give you a picture but Majestic Honda is acting up

 

Easiest way to check for buildup is to take a vac line hooked up to the intake mani, and dip the line in seafoam until the revs drop, have a friend nail the gas to rev it up while you remove the line, and watch in horor as ***** of crap fly out of the exhaust. Used this trick on a 75 Volvo and saw chunks so big I was surprised they made it out the exhaust valves.

Mind you, in your case the result will be more subtle as the motor isn't 30 years old, and didn't hibbernate since the Clinton-era. May be a good idea to pull the cat and clean the motor on a straight header, just the same, so that that stuff doesn't accumulate in the exhaust, even if it is just soot.

 

That's a great way to clog up a catalytic converter.

 

wasn't a prob on the Volvo, 1975 models didn't have much of anything more than a smog pump. Even the muffler was a shell.

On a newer car, just pull the cat.

 

Use a mop and go through the muffler, lol

 

i don't know if this helps:
http://www.98exl.com/tsb/CG/99...g.pdf

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MooGoCow3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">good you have the easer one. Behind the engine on the intake there in an upper cover (upper plentum) that you can remove. pull it off and you should see a little "wall" of carbon in the passeges. Usually it looks just like a peice of the plentum so look closely.
I would give you a picture but Majestic Honda is acting up</TD></TR></TABLE>

i would love to see a picture of this.... the other thing is, i am confused. how can i reach the bolts that hold the EGR valve that's attached to the throttle body? they seem to be shielded by some type of metal.... i have the same code P0401 with P0420... i tried to do search but could not find a picture about the hole you're talking about.... some direction would be appreciated....

 

Sorry Majestic is still giving me a picture of the cooling system insead of the intake. But i'll try to find another one.