6 Symptoms of a Bad EGR Valve (and Replacement Cost)
Does your engine have an erratic idle, is stalling unexpectedly, or difficult to start? The cause could be a faulty EGR valve.
Let’s go over the most common symptoms of EGR valve failure, how much it’s going to cost to fix, and whether you can continue driving in the meantime.
What’s an EGR Valve?
An EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) valve is an electro-mechanical device used to redirect a specified amount of exhaust gasses into the intake tract for further combustion. As a byproduct, combustion temperatures are also lowered, thereby reducing NOX emissions.
EGR valves are standard equipment on virtually all highway engines and serve as an integral part of modern emissions systems.
How It Works
The EGR valve uses either an electric step motor or a vacuum-actuated diaphragm, depending upon the application, to modulate a pintle that opens or closes a direct passage between an engine’s intake and exhaust manifolds.
The valve is typically closed at start-up, yet opens shortly thereafter as idle is obtained and engine temperatures climb. On the contrary, the EGR valve closes under periods of high engine demand to allow for greater fresh air intake.
Bad EGR Valve Symptoms
There are a host of symptoms typically associated with the failure of a vehicle’s EGR valve, some of which tend to become quickly apparent. These signs, when identified, can often assist you in getting a leg up on initiating timely repair.
#1 – Illuminated Check Engine Light
In many cases, a vehicle’s check engine light will be illuminated whenever EGR valve failure occurs. Under the most circumstances, an engine’s ECM/PCM can discern between the requested and actual EGR actuation percentage, thereby logging a fault if all numbers are not in agreement.
#2 – Stalling
If an EGR valve has failed in the open position, it has the tendency to cause stalling at idle. This is due to the fact that a large amount of unmetered exhaust gasses are allowed to enter the intake tract at all times, essentially producing a significant vacuum leak.
#3 – Starting Difficulties
You might also notice that your car has become harder to start if the engine’s EGR valve has failed in the open position. This occurs for much the same reasons as mentioned above.
Significant exhaust gas recirculation at low temperatures or at start-up can substantially impair an engine’s ability to run as intended.
#4 – Erratic Idle
It’s quite common for a vehicle’s engine to idle erratically if its EGR valve is stuck in the open position. This stems from the unmetered introduction of exhaust gasses into the intake tract when an engine is not at the correct temperature or load.
#5 – Ignition Knock Or Ping
In some cases, you may notice a high degree of combustion knock or ping being emitted from your engine, especially under load, if a vehicle’s EGR valve has failed in the closed position.
This comes as a byproduct of increased combustion temperatures that arise from a lack of recirculatory qualities.
#6 – Reduced Fuel Economy
Another symptom of a faulty EGR valve is reduced fuel economy. When erratic exhaust gas recirculation occurs, combustion efficiency suffers. Therefore, additional fuel is consumed to meet otherwise typical power demands.
Causes of EGR Valve Failure
An engine’s EGR valve can fail for a number of reasons, some of which tend to be a more common than others.
Perhaps the most common cause of EGR valve failure is carbon fouling. With time, carbon can build up on the pintle of the EGR valve, effectively seizing it in place. This type of fouling and restriction can also lead to premature electrical failure of the EGR valve itself.
The next common cause of EGR valve failure is due to standard wear/tear. Like any electro-mechanical component, EGR valves are subject to eventual fatigue at the hands of heat, vibration, and years of service.
Failure of this type typically arises within the motorized portion of the EGR valve first.
EGR Valve Replacement Cost
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The exact price associated with EGR valve replacement often differs from one make and model of vehicle to the next, due in large part to variances in parts costs and applicable labor expenses.
This discrepancy in cost can be reduced to a certain extent when choosing to tackle the labor required for this job in a DIY fashion.
Generally speaking, you can expect to pay between $150-$550 to have your vehicle’s EGR valve replaced, with parts costs accounting for $100-$450 of this total expenditure.
It’s worth noting, however, that certain outliers exist, falling well north of this price estimate. This is often the case with vehicles of foreign make or those that are performance-oriented in nature.
Can You Continue Driving With a Bad EGR Valve?
In certain cases, yes, it is possible to continue driving with a faulty EGR valve, though doing so is not recommended.
In other cases, a vehicle might not remain operable with a failed EGR valve, due to the severity of driveability-related symptoms that are incurred. The difference between these two scenarios centers around the manner in which the EGR valve has failed.
If a vehicle’s EGR valve fails in the open position, performance will likely be erratic, with stalling/no-start occurrences not being out of the question. This is because of the tendency of a stuck-open EGR valve to act as or create a monumental vacuum leak of sorts, allowing unmetered air into the combustion tract.
On the other side of the coin, it is possible for a vehicle with an EGR valve that is stuck closed to operate with little in the way of secondary symptoms, though even this is not guaranteed.
Always address EGR-related issues promptly, regardless of the situation. Quick evaluation and repair maintains optimal engine performance and helps avoid unexpected breakdowns. Those who are not comfortable with tackling such repairs should seek out a quality service center for assistance.
What Is an EGR Delete? Is It Worth Doing?
An EGR Delete involves removing a vehicle’s EGR valve, before plating off the flange to which it is typically affixed. This modification eliminates the recirculation of exhaust gasses through an engine’s intake manifold.
Proponents of this modification have cited improved engine performance, smoother idle, and increased reliability.
However, it is important to keep in mind that there are several drawbacks to performing an EGR delete as well. Most noteworthy is the fact that performing this modification will make it nearly impossible to pass state-mandated emissions testing.
Additionally, the removal of any factory-equipped emissions compliance device can lead to legal and/or warranty complications as well.
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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.
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!!
Is this an Australian website.
No, we are based in the US.
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.
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…
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.
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.
That code may still be stored even though the light turned off. Do you know what the check engine light was for?
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,
Defer to your local mechanic. Perhaps a cleaning is all it needs, but he should know if it needs a replacement or not.
Thanks that was very helpful.👍
Thanks for the information