Cleaned Egr Valve - Now What?

[Starlight Taxis]

Cleaned the EGR valve with carb cleaner today. Car is on 60k miles. Didn't do a thorough job as I was out-and-about and had time to kill between bookings, just gently probed it with a screwdriver and used a whole can of carb cleaner. It still wasn't perfectly clean even after using the whole can, is that normal??? Maybe I just needed to poke at the gunk harder than I did but I was just being cautious of damaging the valve as I'm not sure how delicate these things are. Anyway it was 100x better than before I started so it can only be an improvement, and I can always do it again at a later date. Although the valve itself didn't seem THAT badly clogged, the opening into the engine however was majorly blocked and only a VERY small hole remained for airflow, I didn't want to poke at it or spray any carb cleaner into it to try to remove any gunk as I didn't want any crap getting into the engine and damaging it and also wasn't sure if spraying carb cleaner into that hole would be bad for the engine???

My question is this - where should I take it from here? Just get a vacuum cleaner on it while I gently probe away at it? Are there any better ways anyone can suggest how to clear this opening without damaging the engine? Please excuse my ignorance, but is this opening the opening to the inlet manifold? If so, would it be best to take the whole manifold apart and clean it? As I'm not sure just cleaning the opening would do that much good.

All comments GRATEFULY received!

[Cyker]

You don't really have to clean it; The main goal is just to make sure the valve part moves freely and is clear of obstructions so it won't jam as that's when you get problems. Even if the actual airway is all blocked up it will actually make the car run better!

Heck, we have a few people here who blank off the EGR valve completely to improve fuel economy and increase low-end power

[Mistermena]

I would carfully clean it with a childs tooth brush! but dont tell them that you've used it on the car! The Mrs went mad with me the last time I used hers and never told her! lol... I use a Dyson with a very small (used for cleanin PC's) attachment and such the crap out while I brush away. Just be carful not to get any of the soot down you! Or you'll be looking like Master Jedi! Lol

BTW.... I used 3 cans of carb cleaner when I did my EGR and pipe! And it still wasn't as clean as I'd like it! Not buying cheap carb cleaner next time.

[cabcurtains]

I used a drill with a pipe cleaner and brush attached and a hoover picking all the crud up. No liquids involved.

[Starlight Taxis]

You don't really have to clean it; The main goal is just to make sure the valve part moves freely and is clear of obstructions so it won't jam as that's when you get problems. Even if the actual airway is all blocked up it will actually make the car run better!

Heck, we have a few people here who blank off the EGR valve completely to improve fuel economy and increase low-end power

I thought blanking off the EGR valve wasn't an option on these cars due to engine management picking up on it and putting it in limp mode... or am I wrong???

I would carfully clean it with a childs tooth brush! but dont tell them that you've used it on the car! The Mrs went mad with me the last time I used hers and never told her! lol... I use a Dyson with a very small (used for cleanin PC's) attachment and such the crap out while I brush away. Just be carful not to get any of the soot down you! Or you'll be looking like Master Jedi! Lol

BTW.... I used 3 cans of carb cleaner when I did my EGR and pipe! And it still wasn't as clean as I'd like it! Not buying cheap carb cleaner next time.

I got all the soot down me yesterday from cleaning out the valve! Done it at a Tesco petrol station. Sprayed the carb cleaner in one side of the valve and where the carb cleaner came out with such force it all sprayed back in my face and I ended up with black spots all over me from head to foot! At this point I felt compelled to do a Dlck Van !Removed! impression. I looked a right idiot turning up to my next booking looking like a victorian child that had just been sent up a chimney, but luckily it was one of my regulars and he's blind anyway.

[igormus]

normally this job demands your patience and must be done like this --http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=106241&view=963979

[Starlight Taxis]

Thanks, that's very helpful. So basically for the manifold opening you CAN use carb cleaner but best to suck the best part of the gunk out with a vacuum, screwdriver and an old toothbrush first???

How realistic is it to start thinking about taking the manifold apart to clean it? My concern is that if the opening is THAT bad then what the hell does it look like inside?!

[Cyker]

You don't really have to clean it; The main goal is just to make sure the valve part moves freely and is clear of obstructions so it won't jam as that's when you get problems. Even if the actual airway is all blocked up it will actually make the car run better!

Heck, we have a few people here who blank off the EGR valve completely to improve fuel economy and increase low-end power

I thought blanking off the EGR valve wasn't an option on these cars due to engine management picking up on it and putting it in limp mode... or am I wrong???

Ah, no, I think you are right there. Good point!!

Our resident oil jedi seems to have proven this for us in the RAV section...

[Druid Boy]

I think the key point here is that the valve should be able to move - and I'm guessing yours can now. As for the crud build up, well, if it ain't broke......

[Starlight Taxis]

I think the key point here is that the valve should be able to move - and I'm guessing yours can now. As for the crud build up, well, if it ain't broke......

My problem is "if it aint broke..." has never EVER applied to me in life! I must tinker! And invariably it ends up costing me money! LOL