The function of the EGR valve in vehicles is to send the cooled exhaust gasses to the intake stream in 6.0L Power Stroke engines. There is a common shaft connecting two valves that enable exhaust gasses to get into the intake air stream.
With routine use, the valves and the shaft accumulate carbon, along with a mixture of oil vapor and soot. Eventually, the internal mechanical components of your vehicle would have sticking issues.
When these valves stick while opening or closing, you might encounter issues like low power, smoke, poor drivability, hesitation, and rough idle.
As an automobile owner, it makes sense to get yourself familiarized with a malfunctioning EGR valve. Many car owners who have already experienced the failure of this value might have prevented the issue in case they know the initial symptoms.
We have crafted this article to help you understand these symptoms, that would help you work on the EGR valve issues.
6.0 Powerstroke bad EGR valve symptoms
The most obvious symptoms of the failure of the EGR valve in a 6.0L Power Stroke engine include loss of power, soot build-up, and excessive accumulation of carbon. Here are the symptoms that point to issues with the EGR valve.
1. Poor engine performance
In case you have problems with the EGR valve, you might encounter poor engine performance. When the EGR valve turns out to be faulty, it disrupts the air-fuel ratio in the engine. This is ultimately reflected in the form of reduced power, acceleration, and fuel efficiency.
2. Rough idle
Rough idle happens to be a common outcome of a poorly functional EGR valve. When it gets stuck, the exhaust gas circulates. Eventually, this leads to rough idle.
If you want to detect this issue, park your car at the outset. Inspect the position of the valve. Make an attempt in physically doing it. If the valve remains stuck in the open position, you would find error codes. So, simply remove the plug and use a carbon cleaner to fill the empty places.
When you find the EGR closed in the stuck position, have a look at the error codes. Most likely, you would have the codes P1406 and P014. Also, find out whether the engine is making any knocking sound.
3. Check engine light
Your dashboard would set off the engine light in case there is any issue with the EGR valve. However, this light comes on even if the engine has any other problem. So, you need to check out the underlying issues.
4. Odor of fuel
With a malfunctioning EGR valve, the quantity of fuel in the engine would be greater than what it should actually have. The hydrocarbon leaves the tailpipe, and you would get the odor of fuel in the car.
This odor turns out to be irritating, and when you sit inside the car, you would get the smell. So, if you get the odor of fuel in the car, it might point to a faulty EGR valve.
5. Emissions test
In case you have a bad EGR valve, your car is likely to fail the emission test. Issues with the valve can lead to more pollution in the fumes. So, when you find other symptoms with the car that we have already mentioned, it would be wise to carry out a smog test.
In case there is a clog in the EGR valve, it would fail to burn the poisonous emissions in the combustion chamber.
In these cases, the hazardous fumes would remain in the car’s exhaust pipes. This way, you will get to know whether or not the EGR valve is in proper functional conditions.
6. Knocking sound
If the engine of your car makes a knocking sound, it might point to an issue with the EGR valve. You might notice a spike in the temperature in the combustion chamber if the valve sticks in a closed position.
Ultimately, this would result in the fuel igniting earlier than you would expect it to do, particularly at the low RPM of the engine. This results in the knocking sound that you hear from the engine.
So, we have discussed some of the common symptoms that you would find in case there is an issue with the EGR valve. In case your vehicle has got a 6.0 Powerstroke engine, make sure to address the problem quickly.
How do I know if my 6.0 EGR valve is bad?
If the 6.0 EGR valve in your car is malfunctioning, you might observe one or more of these issues.
- Your vehicle would be generating more emissions
- The engine would make knocking sounds
- You would get the smell of fuel in your car
- The engine light on your dashboard remains on
- You observe your car frequently idling and stalling
- The car would consume a higher volume of fuel
- The performance of your vehicle would significantly deteriorate
- You would observe rough idling of the engine
When the EGR valve goes bad what happens?
If your car has a faulty EGR valve, you might encounter several issues with the vehicle. Firstly, you would notice problems with the operation and flow of the EGR system.
This would ultimately deteriorate the performance issues with the car. So, there would be a noticeable reduction in power and acceleration. Besides, you would also notice a dip in the fuel efficiency of the car.
When the EGR valve fails to function normally, you might hear knocking sounds from the engine. Besides, you might get the smell of fuel in your car.
Moreover, the frequency of idling and stalling of your car would also increase. Lastly, the engine light would imply that there’s an error, and you need to find it out using the OBD.
What should you Do When 6.0 Powerstroke EGR Valve Fail?
The instructions we have presented below will help you sort out the issues in case you have any problem with the EGR valve.
Problems with the EGR valves generally take place due to two reasons. The valve tends to get stuck in the open or closed position.
Depending on the problem, you need to come up with a solution. Get an OBD and jack it into the car to inspect it for possible errors. You will find different error codes when you diagnose the vehicle.
1. Error code P0402
You will find this error code if the EGR valve remains stuck in the open position. To resolve the issue, remove the plug and use a carbon cleaner to fill the empty space.
2. Error code P0401
When the EGR valve remains stuck in the close position, you will find this particular error code. Unfortunately, you won’t have an easy solution to this trouble.
Firstly, you need to find the exact reason leading to the issue. Accordingly, you need to work on a viable solution. In these cases, you need to put the valve aside.
Make sure to use a kit for removing the valve, as it would ease up the process. When you reach out to a mechanic, the repairing cost can range between $150 to $750, depending on the condition of the vehicle.
3. Error code P0401
Clogs in the EGR valve will show the error code P0401. This error code actually points to insufficient flow of EGR. When you see this code, you need to clean the valve after removing it properly. Use a throttle body cleaner or a valve cleaning kit for more convenience.
Put on a pair of acid-resistant gloves when you clean the valve, along with safety glasses. You need to apply the cleaner to remove the carbon deposits using a pipe-cleaning brush. Lastly, get the EGR valve replaced to resolve the issue.
Conclusion
The EGR valve happens to be a crucial component of the emission system of the vehicle. In case the EGR valve in your car is faulty, it would lead to an increment in pollution when the vehicle releases the exhausts.
Eventually, your car would fail the pollution tests. Therefore, a malfunctioning EGR valve is not a good sign for your car. An early intervention would help you maintain the car, preventing the issues we have already discussed.
