3 Symptoms of a Bad EGR Valve (and Replacement Cost)

Is your engine losing power or stalling unexpectedly? The cause could be a faulty EGR valve.

Let’s look at the most common symptoms of a bad exhaust gas recirculation valve (including what trouble codes will typically show and how much you can expect to pay for this repair.

bad EGR valve symptoms

3 Bad EGR Valve Symptoms

#1 – Check Engine Light

If the “Check Engine” light on your vehicle’s dashboard turns on, your car’s computer is letting you know there is a problem with a specific part or system in your vehicle. One possibility is a bad EGR valve.

Usually, the computer of the vehicle will be able to sense the position or circuit of the EGR valve. If it senses an issue with one of these, the Check Engine light will illuminate and then the driver can use a diagnostic scanner or take it to a mechanic to confirm the issue.

Since an illuminated Check Engine light can indicate any of over a hundred issues, a specific trouble code relating to the part will need to appear. A few common trouble codes for an EGR problem are P0400, P0401, P0402, P0403, P0404, P0405. Check various online resources to verify what the actual trouble code means.

#2 – Reduced Engine Power

acceleration hesitation

If there is an EGR valve problem, the first symptom you’ll notice is a performance problem with the engine. If your EGR valve is malfunctioning or just clogged, the air-to-fuel ratio of your vehicle will be disrupted.

This will cause all kinds of engine problems like a reduction in acceleration, fuel efficiency, and power.

#3 – Rough Engine Idle

rough engine idle

A common symptom that arises from a bad EGR valve in a vehicle is something called rough idle where the RPM fluctuates and/or drops below a certain threshold.

When malfunctioning occurs with EGR valves, they end up stalling in their open position or even increasing RPM on its own. Then a rough idle condition will form from the recirculation of the exhaust gas, no matter if there are desirable conditions or not.

See Also: P0325 (Knock Sensor Malfunction)

EGR Valve Replacement Cost

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EGR valve replacement cost

The average cost of replacing the EGR valve in your vehicle is anywhere from $250 to $350 on average, depending on your vehicle’s year, make, and model as well as the type of system it has.

The cost of parts will be somewhere around $190 to $270, while the cost of labor will be anywhere from $60 to $80. Of course, these costs estimates don’t factor in the fees and taxes that will get added onto the total as well.

When you get the replacement done, the service should include an EGR transducer test, inspection of vacuum hoses connected to the EGR valve, a clearing of all the trouble codes, a cleaning of carbon deposits from the EGR pintle, and a test of the EGR valve to ensure it operates smoothly.

Causes of EGR Valve Failure

Carbon Buildup

Over time, carbon deposits can accumulate in the EGR valve and cause it to stick open or closed. Exhaust gases contain carbon particles, and these can build up on the pintle and valve seat. This restricts their movement and ability to regulate exhaust gas recirculation.

Clogged Passages

The passages that allow exhaust gas to flow through the EGR valve can become clogged with carbon deposits, oil ash, and combustion byproducts. This debris obstructs the flow of gas through the valve, leading to improper EGR operation.

Electrical Problems

The solenoid or motor that controls EGR valve opening and closing can fail electrically. This may prevent the valve from operating properly or at all. Solenoid failure is often caused by power surges or voltage spikes.

Vacuum Leaks

Vacuum lines control EGR valve operation in many vehicles. Leaks in these lines prevent accurate valve control, as the valve relies on vacuum for appropriate positioning. This leads to poor EGR performance.

Age and Wear

Like any mechanical component, EGR valves will simply wear out from many heating and cooling cycles. The valve seat and pintle will erode, leading to leaks and poor exhaust gas flow control. Most EGR valves last 80,000 to 100,000 miles before needing replacement.

EGR Valve Maintenance Tips

Every 50,000 miles, you should have an air induction service done on your vehicle because it will clean the carbon and sludge that accumulates in your vehicle’s air intake system.

And, of course, get regular oil changes too, because it will reduce the chances of sludge accumulating in your engine.

Mark Stevens

13 Comments

  1. Ive got an issue with my Hyundai santa fe- it is 17 years old and done 105,000 miles so far. Been serviced regularly, oil changed on schedule, filters on schedule. I use regular diesel fuel treatment to keep the fule intake and diesel injectors clean and alternate the diesel injector treatments through the tank with twice yearly DPF cleaning stuff.
    Noted the car was struggling to accelerate and was having periods of little to no grunt or engine pick up when trying to accelerate. Then this led to difficulties starting the car where the diesel would fire up then putter out a few seconds later. Been told it is the EGR valve- fortunately its a hyundai and not a ford ranger- total cost for repair £275 British pounds sterling- that is reasonable if I can keep the old tank on the road and not have to fork out to buy a new car.
    I think any EGR replacement costing anything more than 600-700 USD is going to be a rip off- shop around and try somewhere else- you could even buy the part yourself and get a mechanic to fit it.

  2. I drive a 2010 Jeep Wrangler and the dealership also want &1,150 to replace the RGR value. I see now the part cost around $250. These dealerships are a racket!!

  3. I am sorry this happened to you, and in your circonstances.
    Almost same for me, I have a motorhome Fiat Ducato, all services done in time and more, even travelling 200 kms to have it done by a Fiat specialist in Nambour QLD. Each time, I pickup my van from them, sometimes only few kms sometime more something else would fault. The last one, my engine light showed in August, I drive to them, all good.3 months later, same, they say it’s the turbocharger. $7,500. But there is no part in Australia. And from Italy it will take 8 weeks after Christmas break. They wanted me to pay up front. I refused. They don’t want my business anymore.
    I am waiting after the break for a second opinion. Maybe it’s the valve that needs to be cleaned, which they should have done at services time.

  4. We purchased our Ford Ranger in 2016 just a year old. We’ve had nothing but trouble with this since we bought it. We have taken it to be checked so many times and even had video of it when all these issues happen and yet each time been told they can see something is going on however the computer shows nothing. They even told us it was a common issue with this model and a real pain to fix. We have never missed a service and have looked after the car.
    Well of course warranty runs out and hello we’ve had to take it several times since and today been told it’s the EGR Valve and it’ll cost us $1300 today to have it replaced. It’s the week before Christmas and we have 4 adult children with 9 Grandchildren. They knew that’s what was wrong with it when it was still under warranty yet it was never looked at other than checking it on the computer. I’m so darn mad. $1300 is a lot the week before Christmas to find especially now I’m disabled and cannot work. Oh well I guess all part and parcel of owning a car but I am cranky this wasn’t fixed the myriad of times we took it in to be looked at while still under warranty…

    1. You could try writing to Ford’s Customer Service dept to ask if there is any “good will” contribution available. My 2016 Mini needed a replacement module and the bill came in at just short of €1,000. I contacted BMW and explained that I was disappointed that a well-looked after car with FSH should develop a fault of this nature etc, and after an exchange of several emails, they gave me a discount voucher of €250. I knew it was optimistic to expect a full refund but I suppose it was at least something.

  5. I swore I had EGR valve issues based on all what I read. I had a check engine light and the vibrations etc.

    What I did was change my air filter, put in a full tank of BP premium removed and then retightened my gas cap.

    Within a day my check engine light was off. Before you get a diagnostic you can try this first.

  6. I drove to an auto zone to apply their equipment because my engine light stays on. It says I need to replace the shift solenoid. I was going to take it to transmission guy but instead to the local mechanic and he placed his scope and said the egr exhaust gas circulation valve is bad. Upon reading stuff online I found out that the egr valve can be cleaned. The engine light stays on and I won’t be able to pass smog. Can anyone help please,

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