How to Clean the EGR Valve on a Dodge Caravan
by Johnathan Cronk
Your Dodge Caravan's EGR valve (exhaust gas recirculation) will become dirty and clogged throughout the life of your vehicle. It’s important to keep the EGR valve clean since the valve is responsible for pumping the engine’s exhaust through the manifold. This process is what cools down the air within your engine, preventing your vehicle from overheating. Cleaning the EGR valve is important to maintain your engine’s efficiency and only takes a few steps to do by yourself.
Step 1
Allow the Dodge Caravan to cool down for at least 20 minutes before beginning any work on the vehicle.
Step 2
Use the hood release lever inside the Caravan to pop open the hood. Find the EGR valve, which is located on the engine intake manifold. Refer to your Dodge Caravan owner’s manual for exact location of the manifold.
Step 3
Use a socket wrench to loosen and remove the bolts that secure the valve in place. Remove the valve from the manifold.
Step 4
Spray carburetor cleaner inside the EGR valve and on the cover of the valve. Wipe away grime and dirt with a rag. Continue cleaning the valve with the cleaner until the valve moves up and down smoothly once again.
Step 5
Use the carburetor cleaner to clean the valve mount and the two holes that hold the valve into place. If needed, use the rag to wipe away excess grim and dirt.
Step 6
Insert the EGR valve back onto the valve mount. Replace each bolt and tighten with the socket wrench. Close the hood of your Dodge Caravan and pull back up to ensure to hood latched shut correctly.
References
Things You'll Need
- Socket wrench
- Carburetor cleaner
- Rags
Writer Bio
Johnathan Cronk is a freelance writer and began writing at the age of 18. Throughout his career he has specialized in sports, how-to and advice articles. He has also written sales pitches in the corporate setting since 2001. He studied business at Hudson Valley Community College before transferring to the State University of New York, Albany.
