I replaced everything and still CHECK ENGINE light ? ?

[Dan Ro]

I have a P0401 code "Insufficient EGR Flow". I replaced the valve, solenoid and pressure sensor. What else could this be? Is it a vacuum controlled system, should I check for pinched, kinked vacuum line?

I have an '02 V6

 

[FASTLLS]

I believe it's vacuum controlled..
Was the code erased?

 

[Dan Ro]

I believe it's vacuum controlled..
Was the code erased?

Yeah, I erased the code after each component and it just kept coming back after each time. First the valve then the solenoid and before I replaced the pressure sensor I thought "Yay, this is the last culprit and after I replace this I'm good. I guess not.

I need to pass emissions!

 

[FASTLLS]

I have no clue if I'm helping your here or not. I would check for pinched vacuum lines. Then I would put a gauge on the engine to make sure that you are making enough vacuum. Should be between 16-21 inches of mercury. Then, if all else fails, replace the EGR again. Maybe you got a crappy one..

Sounds like there isn't enough vacuum to let it function properly though..

 

[Quik LS]

check both the lines running to the DPFE (they tend to get brittle and crack) and you may have to clean the actual ERG tube - they often clog at the reduction area that the DPFE sensor reads across...

 

[Mechanicboy]

whoa, how about that. My car just popped this same code the other day. I already passed smog a few days ago so I didn't bother to fix it as it shouldn't affect the engine performance so long as it a too little EGR flow and not too much. I'll be watching this thread anyway in case it's a cheap fix such as just cleaning the line with brake clean or carb cleaner.

 

[Dan Ro]

whoa, how about that. My car just popped this same code the other day. I already passed smog a few days ago so I didn't bother to fix it as it shouldn't affect the engine performance so long as it a too little EGR flow and not too much. I'll be watching this thread anyway in case it's a cheap fix such as just cleaning the line with brake clean or carb cleaner.

I also sprayed carb cleaner into the pipe coming out of the EGR valve and cleaned it out with a brush.

 

[tireman]

check those lines and other spots for vacumm loss

You got a vacumm leak somewhere, check those hoses first, they do dry rot and crack,,,,,heck, just replace them, it's only a few bucks, then you'll be sure. Mine looked like new until I pulled on them and whoops! They were split, you just could not see it.

 

[Dan Ro]

You got a vacumm leak somewhere, check those hoses first, they do dry rot and crack,,,,,heck, just replace them, it's only a few bucks, then you'll be sure. Mine looked like new until I pulled on them and whoops! They were split, you just could not see it.

I plan on checking the hoses. Am I looking at the 1 out of the valve, the 2 out of the solenoid and the 2 out of the sensor?

 

[jerzy2041]

Most likely you have exhaust passages clogged. A wire brush and a carb cleaner should do it. I've had the same problem on my SHO and even The Dealer ( or should I say stealer) wasn't able to figure that out. They where trying to swap EGR valve, EGR transducer, and even came with the idea that the ECM "went south". Boy, they were wrong. After all I figured that on my own, when I took the intake manifold out for some maintenance. I've had noticed some tiny passages clogged by a sh#$%t. Cleaned that out and after assembling all the staff the CEL was gone. I've had the EGR problem on my LSV8, but that was related to voltage to high, and changing the EGR module fixed that. Hopefully it help.

 

[Dan Ro]

Most likely you have exhaust passages clogged. A wire brush and a carb cleaner should do it. I took the intake manifold out for some maintenance. I've had noticed some tiny passages clogged by a sh#$%t. Cleaned that out and after assembling all the staff the CEL was gone.

So, will I have to take the intake manifold off to access where you have described?

 

[jerzy2041]

Well! I'm not familiar with LS'es V6 (mine is V8) and the car I was talking about was 1993 Taurus SHO. Any way, I'd try to take the EGR module out and run a wire brush throw the passages in the intake manifold and the EGR tube down to the exhaust manifold. If this is no help, you probably need to remove the intake and give it a nice clean-up. Wish You good luck!

 

[tireman]

Leaks

The leakage could be in any hose throughout the system. Check them all.

 

[Dan Ro]

The leakage could be in any hose throughout the system. Check them all.

Yes, I had plans to do that after softball last night. BUT, I rolled my ankle pretty badly and couldn't put any weight on the foot and I didn't want to try pulling off Karate Kid moves. So, I think I will have to wait until this weekend.