How to Clean a Toyota EGR Valve
by Dan Ferrell
Carbon build up inside your Toyota EGR valve affects engine performance, even increasing fuel consumption. After some years of service, you still can restore valve operation by removing and cleaning the obstructed passages inside the valve and the connecting exhaust manifold pipe to reestablish good engine operation. Follow these simple steps to remove, clean and reinstall the EGR valve in your Toyota. The procedure applies to vacuum type EGR valves.
Step 1
Park your Toyota in a safe place with enough room for you to work around the front of the vehicle.
Step 2
Open the hood and make sure the engine or engine components are cool enough to the touch to avoid skin burns or other injuries.
Step 3
Locate the EGR valve on the engine side, usually on the driver's side. Most valves resemble a metallic mushroom and are about 2 to 3 inches in diameter. Unplug the vacuum hose by hand from the top of the valve.
Step 4
Remove the pipe connecting to the bottom of the valve using a wrench or adjustable wrench. Remove the two valve mounting bolts using a wrench or ratchet and socket.
Step 5
Lift the valve away from the engine compartment and discard the EGR valve gasket. If necessary, use a plastic scraper to remove any gasket material remaining on the mating surfaces of the valve and engine.
Step 6
Clean the bottom of the valve and inlet orifice of carbon deposits using a wire brush and scratch awl or similar tool. Be careful not to score or damage the valve-mounting surface to avoid exhaust gas leaks. Tap the valve body to remove loose carbon deposits. If the EGR valve on your Toyota model can be disassembled, make sure to align the parts perfectly when reassembling. Clean the passage of the exhaust manifold pipe connecting to the valve as well.
Step 7
Set the cleaned valve in place on the engine using a new valve gasket and install the two mounting bolts by hand. Start the exhaust pipe nut into the valve by hand to avoid thread damage. Tighten the mounting bolts and pipe nut. Connect the vacuum hose to the top of the valve.
Things You'll Need
- Wrench set Adjustable wrench Ratchet and socket set Plastic scraper Scratch awl New EGR valve gasket
Warnings
- It is possible to use solvent to clean carbon deposits inside the valve, but you should be careful not to get any solution on the valve diaphragm or you may ruin the component.
Writer Bio
Since 2003 Dan Ferrell has contributed general and consumer-oriented news to television and the Web. His work has appeared in Texas, New Mexico and Miami and on various websites. Ferrell is a certified automation and control technician from the Advanced Technology Center in El Paso, Texas.
