My cousin has a 97 RL and his EGR valve is throwing the code and will not pass NC inspection!! We need to know how can we clean it!!???

ANY help will be GrEaTFUL!!! Thanks

 

These RL's had a Acura service news about cleaning the EGR ports on the back of the intake manifold, we have also replaced the EGR tube and EGR valve, Gaskets.
They recommend cleaning the ports first before replacing parts, but because the whole manifold needs to come off it might be better off replacing the parts at the same time.
Not sure if Carb cleaner will remove all the carbon buildup or if it would hurt the winding's for that matter on the EGR valve.
Good Luck!

 

Thank you sir!!

and welcome to the site!

 

Your welcome, and thank you!

 

If it is throwing a code P0141 then it is the egr valve that is bad and If it is throwing a code P0401 then it is the clog egr ports that is behind the intake manifold, you can clean it without replacing anything. Here is how, removed the strut bar, egr solenoid valve box(the black box on the bulkhead pass side) without disconnecting the 3 vacumn hose. Remove the 1 bolt that hold heater hose valve to the bulkhead and push it aside. Now remove 4 bolt that hold the metal pipe that lead from the egr valve to the egr plate behind the intake manifold, careful to remove the bolt slowly because they break easily. Now remove the egr plate 3 bolt and remove the plate by tapping on it slowly to prevent damaging the gasket because it is a pain to remove it. You will see a bunch of black gunk behind that plate, clean it all out and you will see a small hole that need to be clean out too. It a slow process but for an amateur, itcan be done in about 2-3 hours if the gasket is not broken. I usually put a fender cover on top of the engine and lay on top of it while i clean the ports. You will need a small mirror and flashlight to be able to see what you are doing. Then put everything back together and take it to autozone to clear the code for free.

 

Hi Jim. I have the same problem with my 1996 3.5 RL. Code P0401. I took out the ERG Valve and Exhaust Gas Recirculation Pipe and cleaned it in Carburator Cleaner. I was able to see through the outlet from the EGR valve to the EGR Pipe. All that is clean. On the other end of the pipe (Drivers side) I could not see into the port where the pipe was removed. Is this where the "EGR Plate" is you are talking about? I think I see such an animal on page 9-3 of the service manual. It looks like from the picture there are 5 bolts here, two for the ERG pipe flange and three more. Is the "Small Hole" you are talking about in this plate? Do I have to take the plate off to clean this hole? I had to take more off behind the engine, basically the stuff on the firewall to even get my hands in there with a wrench than you indicate. It's a very bad place to work. I notice on the passenger side the EGR valve mounts on what looks like another housing which I did not remove because I could see that the port to the EGR pipe was clean. Anything to do here? None of this is very well detailed in the Service Manual! I cleaned this all out and Reset the Code with my OBDII Reader but after a few cycles it came on again. So I must not have gone far enough! Also is there any possibility that the Manifold Absolute pressure sensor is bad even if I do not have a code as such? I understand this is how the PCM determines there is not sufficient flow. Thanks. Mike M

 

You can unclog the port behind the "EGR plate" without removing it. It helps to spray some carb cleaner through the hole in the plate first to break down the carbon deposits a bit. You can use a small screwdriver or something similar to poke through the clogged port behind the plate. Nothing wrong with removing the plate, but when you're working with the manifold installed on the car, it's easier to leave it in place. You can still unclog things enough to restore EGR operation.

Here's a DIY from another forum. This guy removed the whole manifold, which you don't really need to do unless you want to, but he has some good pics that show the clogged area in question (about halfway down the page).

http://www.acura-legend.com/vb...79886


Modified by Kenso at 12:17 PM 12/6/2007

 

Thanks very much. Those are good pictures of the intake manifold after its been split in half. I'll just use a screwdriver to clean out the port though. Taking that intake manifold off is way too much trouble! Normally the Service Manual is pretty good for everything, but you have to look real close to find the "EGR plate" and input baffles here, and of course, there is no cleaning procedure. Mike M.

 

FYI,ACURA repairs for free any emmisions issue up to 160k.I love my 04 TL!

 

where did you see that? there is an emissions extension on the older models but def not on an 04 tl.

 

Personally,at an Acura dealer.I was getting my 02 type S serviced.My friend came along with his 97 CL 3.0.Same prob. as yours.Dealer says no prob,emmis. covered to 160k,any Acura,Im guessing any year.Free!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by XR650LFreak &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Personally,at an Acura dealer.I was getting my 02 type S serviced.My friend came along with his 97 CL 3.0.Same prob. as yours.Dealer says no prob,emmis. covered to 160k,any Acura,Im guessing any year.Free!</TD></TR></TABLE>

No, not any Acura. Certain '96 and '97 models, yes. Up to 150k.

 

yep, i work at an acura dealer and it is only emissions related failrures up to 150k on the mid 90's models.

 

Thank you,for clearing that up.

 

so i have a 1997 RL with 143k... it should be covered??
had it checked by a dealer in philly. they quoted me $580!!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by delliot &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">so i have a 1997 RL with 143k... it should be covered??
had it checked by a dealer in philly. they quoted me $580!!</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes, it should be covered unless it's a salvage titled vehicle with a cancelled warranty.

 

Well that's good to know! But, as luck (good? or Bad?) would have it, when I started the car today ....

No CEL!

I wonder if they can see that it was on and still fix it? or maybe it will reappear tomorrow!

 

i have a '97tl w/134,000 miles. two months ago acura dealership replace the o2 sensors under the emissions warranty. now the check engine light is back on for the egr valve. is that covered under the extended warranty also?

 

Yes.

 

I haven't tried this on my Civic yet but I service our family's cars and my wife has a Ford Focus, I simply unplug the battery for 10-20 minutes and the OBD is reset when I plug it back in and start the car.

 

Can a catalytic converter plug up after you clean the egr ports?

 

You may get some carbon deposits on your o2 sensors and catalyst core but it will burn off after time. It is always best to take your car out for a few spirited sprints after cleaning the carbon build up pre and post combustion.