An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve is an essential component of a Ford F-150 truck. In this article, I have added easy steps to locate this valve and clean it.
How to Clean EGR Valve on Ford F-150? In general, you can clean the EGR valve of the Ford F-150 by parking it and open its bonnet. Then, uplift the truck and detach the valve tube. Next, dip the tube in the EGR cleaner or spray carburetor cleaning agent on the valve. Finally, leave it to dry and reinstall everything.
Many vehicles emit pollutant gases because of the absence of an EGR valve. Instead, an electric motor is present inside the EGR system that controls the flow of gases going in and out.
How to Clean EGR Valve on Ford F-150?
EGR is near the intake manifold. The intake manifold provides the cylinder with a mixture of fuel and air. It equally distributes the incoming air. The exhaust gas recirculation valve is a round-shaped and tiny component.
Cleaning the valve is a simple and crucial step towards your engine’s normal and efficient working.
Park your Ford F-150
Park your truck at a level surface and make sure the hand brake is engaged.
Then, turn off the engine and step out of your truck. You can directly start the procedure if your truck was not running and is in an idle state.
Remove its battery cables
Now open its bonnet, lift it and use a long metal rod to keep it up so that it does not fall on your head while cleaning.
Next, find the battery and remove the cables from both the positive and negative terminals. In some cases, the battery is on the right side, while in others, it is present on the left side.
Locate the EGR Valve on Ford F-150
Now locate the exhaust gas recirculation valve that you need to clean. Exhaust gas recirculation valves can be of three types, and you can find them at different locations in your truck.
It varies depending upon the model and type of pickup. Find the user manual that comes with your truck and precisely locate the position of EGR.
EGR is near the intake manifold. Sometimes it is attached to the intake manifold. The intake manifold provides the cylinder with a mixture of fuel and air. An exhaust tube and electric connector are connected to the EGR valve.
Use wrench to open its bolts
After locating the tube, use a wrench to open the bolts that are holding it firmly. Then, put the bolts and the wrench in a small box. You can see electric cables with the valve; unplug them.
Remove the gasket present in between the bolts and the tube.
The carbon deposits can cause damage to your eyes and skin. To protect yourself, put on a full sleeve shirt.
Clean the EGR valve with a brush
You will need a rag and a steel brush to clean the carbon build-up. Keep on spraying and cleaning until there is no particle left.
In case the carbon deposits do not wash off, then dip the pipe in a cleaning solution.
Remove any electric components attached to the tube before sinking it. Once you see a clean valve, let it dry for about 5 to 10 minutes.
Reinstall everything
Now it’s time to reinstall the EGR. Connect all the electric plugs with the pipe. Again, with the help of a wrench, tighten the bolts.
You can also use a screwdriver to lose or tight any screws if present. Make sure to place the gasket back at its original position.
Connect the cables with positive and negative terminals of the battery again. Remove the steel rod and close the hood.
Sit in your Ford truck and turn the engine ON. It will not produce any noise if the pipe is clean. It will take you about an hour to do this cleaning.
Why Would the Ford F-150 EGR Valve Get Dirty?
The EGR may get dirty due to the following reasons.
Dust Particles and Carbon Deposits
Deposits of carbon and dirt particles in the air start to attach to the pipe.
The pipe does not get clogged unless or until it gets filled with dust particles. The particles stop the flow of air and gases from going inside or outside the pipe.
Corrosion
This problem mainly occurs in old Ford trucks. Due to the continuous use of the pipe, it needs to be checked or cleaned every once a year.
The corrosion destroys the tube making it unable to use. The average lifespan of an EGR valve is about 9 to 10 years, only if you keep on checking it properly.
Temperature Sensor Malfunctioning
The tube opens and closes at a specific interval of time only. The temperature sensor of exhaust gas recirculation provides the necessary information to the pipe.
It only opens when the engine’s temperature rises, and then it gets closed when the engine cools down.
The temperature sensor may get damaged due to excessively high temperatures or because of carbon build-up.
It means that the temperature sensor on Ford F-150 cannot provide the essential data to the tube to perform its function.
As a result, it remains closed when the engine’s temperature gets high and causes damage to the engine. You can fix the problem by checking the temperature sensor and getting it repaired.
Signs of a Failing EGR Valve
We have already discussed the reasons why an exhaust gas recirculation tube will get dirty. It is not an ideal pipe, and it may malfunction.
However, there are some signs that, if you notice in your vehicle, you should know that your exhaust gas recirculation tube is dirty and needs cleaning. Some of these symptoms are as follows.
Poor Performance of Ford F-150
Your vehicle cannot gain its average speed. Instead, it starts for some time and then loses power within few minutes.
The engine cannot carry a heavy load. As a result, Ford F-150 loses its RPM at high speed. Take this condition of your vehicle very seriously.
Decrease in Fuel Efficiency
Disturbance in the tube causes the engine to consume more fuel and decrease fuel efficiency. However, it remains open, and fuel remains unburned at low temperatures.
You can notice that your truck’s average mileage is low, and it absorbs more fuel than ever. As a result, your vehicle will take more fuel to reach a destination near your house.
Hearing of Noises
You may notice some irregular and unwanted noises coming from your engine. It is because the exhaust gas recirculation lid is constantly closing.
When the temperature is high, the fuel burns at a low RPM, causing it to produce such noises.
In some cases, the tube may break and will start to vibrate. When you increase the speed of your Ford F-150, this sound is more noticeable. You cannot hear this noise when the vehicle is idle.
Fuel odor
These gases continuously go in the intake manifold, and you may smell fuel. You may think that your fuel is dripping from your fuel tank, and the smell is coming from the tank.
It is not the case. All the gases do not burn at low temperatures. Instead, it increases the number of hydrocarbons coming from the tailpipe.
Flashing of Check Engine Light
Whenever your engine exhibits any minor problem, the warning light turns ON. The light doesn’t need to be blinking because of the EGR valve.
For example, it may turn ON if the battery dies out or if the engine fan stops working. Check your engine for any mishap and if you could not understand the problem, then take your truck to a mechanic.
How much does it cost to clean the EGR Valve?
The approximate value of cleaning an exhaust gas recirculation pipe on a Ford F-150 is about 50 dollars. You can buy a wrench that will cost you about $7 to $15.
The cost of a carburetor cleaner is between 10 to 15 dollars. It depends upon the quality of the spray that you are using. A scraper will cost you around 2 to 3 dollars. In addition, you will need a steel wire brush.
You can buy them from such stores that sell steel products. The price of 3 brushes is approximately $1 to $2.
You will need to buy a new flat gasket if the old one gets damaged. You can buy 5 to 6 gaskets in a dollar or two.
If the problem remains after cleaning, you need to replace it with a new one. The approximate cost of replacing the EGR pipe is around $370. It also includes the labor price.
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