Introduction
When the car engine runs, the thermal overload from the combustion chamber inside is usually prevented through the EGR cooler. So what is an EGR cooler? How does it work?
You’ll have all the needed answers just in a snap! Please scroll down!
What Is An EGR Cooler?
Short answer: The EGR cooler is located between the EGR valve and the turbo, which transfers heat from the water to the air.
Depending on your vehicle, the EGR cooler will provide one or a series of flat tubes for the hot exhaust gas to pass through.
The manufacturer installed additional water segments around each pipe for cooling purposes.
These “walls of water” will soften the heat of the diesel fuel inside, creating conditions for the highest combustion temperature to be lowered.
The exhaust gas recirculation inside the ERG cooler depends entirely on the vehicle’s handling unit (via the EGR valve).
During operation, the extreme heat from the emissions systems will spread to the cooling system and be dissipated by the radiator.
What Does An EGR Cooler Do?
An EGR coolant plays a major role in cooling the extreme temperatures of the exhaust gases moving inside the tubes.
These pollutants are extremely diverse, creating the basis for forming new molecules with extremely high temperatures in the combustion chamber of a diesel engine.
This irritating mixture is so strong that it can cause respiratory problems, especially for people with sensitive breathing or lung conditions.
Besides, the diesel EGR cooler can also dilute a small amount of inert exhaust gas with the air-fuel mixture.
In this way, the driver can ensure stable engine performance while greatly reducing the pollutants emitted from the vehicle engine.
How To Clean My EGR Valve Cooler?
Replacing the old EGR valve cooler with a brand new product is never easy, as it requires a complex process and high expertise.
Therefore, it would be best to contact your local auto repair shop and send the vehicle there to receive a new EGR engine coolant replacement.
But if you’re ready for that (or in case you’re working in the auto repair industry), the first experiments always yield tremendous experience value. Follow our guide below, and you’ll know what to do in no time!
Step 1: Open Hood And Locate
Ensure your car’s engine has completely cooled down after a few hours of rest. Then it would be best if you opened the hood to locate the intake manifold and air intake manifold.
If you haven’t looked for these parts before, look in the vicinity of the engine, and you’ll spot them.
Step 2: Unplug
Unplug the PVS heating system plug, then loosen the intake manifold coolant valves. Typically, they will be secured by hexagonal bolts fastened around them.
Double-check to make sure the EGR control valves show no signs of cracking and coolant leaks. When any component shows signs of wear/cracking, it is best to use a replacement immediately.
Step 3: Remove The Vacuum Lines
After removing all surrounding fixtures, it’s time to prepare for deep cleaning of this cooler. Please completely disassemble the vacuum hose to double-check if it shows any rust/cracks on the surface.
Spray hot water inside the chamber of the EGR cooler for about 10 minutes to make sure all the dirt inside has been washed away. After that, you better block the EGR cooler’s outlet using a rubber plug.
Step 4: Clean
Follow the instructions on the carburetor EGR cooler cleaner packaging to prepare the cleaning solution. Typically, you will have to start with 1 part cleaning solution to 4 parts hot water.
Besides, you can also consider using a toothbrush/wire cleaner along with your regular pipe cleaner. Don’t forget to clean the entry port with appropriate cleaners.
It is where the EGR system components connect to the engine while the valve is off, so it also requires special care.
After the dispensing is complete, pour all the solution inside the EGR pipe. You must wait at least an hour to ensure the solution has been absorbed and does its job well.
Step 5: Dry And Check
You need to remove the plug to bring the EGR outside while not affecting the surrounding components. Rinse it with hot water, dry it, and install everything back to its original state.
Use the bolts and spacers below to fully secure the EGR valve before removing it. It would also help if you connected it to any sensors and electrical connections properly.
FAQS
What Causes EGR Cooler Failure?
EGR cooler is less prone to complete failure, but this does not mean that trouble will never happen. So, please check the engine light to see whether it is on.
You notice the strange symptoms listed below on the car engine. Then, you will need to stop your moving plans and send the car to a repair shop immediately.
- Dropping Coolant Levels
Cracks in the body of the exhaust air pipe will cause the coolant to leak/spill out and into the exhaust gas stream. You must say goodbye to the old EGR cooler and replace it with a new product.
- White Smoke
When the pipe leaks, the coolant will pass through the crack to enter the exhaust stream. Once in contact with each other, they will ignite and soon evaporate, creating thin white exhaust smoke you can see with the naked eye.
- Abnormal State Of Components
Sometimes, the signs of failure are not obvious but only silently affect the components inside an EGR cooler.
Therefore, you will need to regularly conduct periodic checks to ensure the whole system is free of any problems.
But the EGR valve tends to glue or has the appearance of water streaks. This is a common warning sign of a bad EGR cooler happening inside the EGR cooler.
In this case, send your diesel vehicles to experienced mechanics for an in-depth test.
How Long Does An EGR Coolant Last?
You cannot give an exact number to indicate the lifespan of the EGR Cooler, as it varies based on the maintenance, external influences, quality, and usage of each driver.
On average, this product will maintain its best performance for 80,000 miles before gradually degrading.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace A EGR Cooler?
Completely disassembling and replacing parts of the EGR cooler will cost about 2 to 3 hours and about $3000. If your vehicle is a high spec, you can spend up to $3000 for a replacement.
However, the above numbers are estimates only as they may vary slightly based on the policy of your local auto shop.
Final Verdict
The EGR cooler plays an extremely important role in regulating engine temperature and drastically reducing the risk of thermal expansion.
So, it is best to check it regularly and promptly replace it when there are common signs of damage.
Through this article, we hope you can now put the question “What is an EGR cooler” in the back of your mind. See you in the next articles!