P0401 after seafoaming

[jermyjerm]

I seafoamed my newest Camry(2001 5SFE)and almost immediately got the insufficient EGR flow code.I cleared the code and it came back,then went away,then came back to stay.Does the O2 sensor throw this code?I'm thinking I clogged it if this is the case.Maybe the EGR tube is clogged?HELP!!

[Mister_Perkins]

EGR valve stuck closed.
EGR Vacuum Switching Valve (VSV).
EGR VSV open circuit.
EGR valve position sensor open or short circuit.
EGR valve position sensor.

(Vacuum Switch Valve) part# 90910-12080

If you didn't physically remove the EGR it wouldnt hurt to get a new gasket and remove it completely and clean it out. The tubing could be clogged , Like you suspected

[Jason.MZW20]

There's no valve position sensor on the 5SFE models, only the 1MZ with the constant vacuum EGR.

The MAP sensor controls this code. Most likely some debris from the intake tract made its way into the EGR valve and clogged it more. It's usually best to remove the EGR valve and give it a good scrub down. You may even need to soak the valve in a strong solvent.

[Mister_Perkins]

I was just saying in General what the common problems for p0401 are

[jermyjerm]

Originally Posted by Jason.MZW20

There's no valve position sensor on the 5SFE models, only the 1MZ with the constant vacuum EGR.

The MAP sensor controls this code. Most likely some debris from the intake tract made its way into the EGR valve and clogged it more. It's usually best to remove the EGR valve and give it a good scrub down. You may even need to soak the valve in a strong solvent.

That makes sense,I'll put this on my to-do list.Thanks!!

[JohnGD]

IIRC another TN member Seafoamed and it did such a good job all the carbon crap went down the exhaust. Some of it ended up in the EGR system. I suspect this was the case. If so remove the valve and clean the pipe.

Originally Posted by jermyjerm

I seafoamed my newest Camry(2001 5SFE)and almost immediately got the insufficient EGR flow code.I cleared the code and it came back,then went away,then came back to stay.Does the O2 sensor throw this code?I'm thinking I clogged it if this is the case.Maybe the EGR tube is clogged?HELP!!

[fenixus]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

IIRC another TN member Seafoamed and it did such a good job all the carbon crap went down the exhaust. Some of it ended up in the EGR system. I suspect this was the case. If so remove the valve and clean the pipe.

not sure, but it might have been me LOL

IIRC I encountered sticky EGR valve at some point and what helped make it better (still not 100% cured afterward unfortunately) was to remove the backpressure rubber hose from the side of EGR valve and spray (like for 15 secs) the Sea Foam Deep Creep (foam spray from local Autozone) into that hole on valve body.

then leave it for 10-15 mins and start the car instantly revving it to 2,5k rpm for starters (might produce white smoke) until it warms up and then give it a few good (brief) bursts to 5k rpm. it should do it (it helped me). in my case some crap flew out of exhaust after that and car started running smoother.

that thick rubber hose needs to be twisted to sides a couple times first before it allows itself get removed by gently pulling (it sits on a barbed pipe, don't tear the hose by pulling it with monkey strength initially like I almost did, I almost ripped it apart).

this hose connects on the other end to the bottom of EGR vacuum modulator.

if that doesn't help to get the code dismissed ultimately (do a reset by pulling for 2 minutes the ECU 15A blue fuse from Main Fuse Box under hood, driver side) you will have to unbolt the valve and clean it. warning! be ready to buy new valve if things go wrong (they did for me).

also if planning to unbolt the EGR valve, buy 2 new gaskets (1 metal, 1 cork or something like it) for it and 2 new bolts 10mm head (they hold it down to exhaust pipe) from dealer ahead of time.

[Yuko]

Before ripping the EGR apart, check the EGR VSV behind the engine block. I had this same code two years ago and that 9 out of 10 time, this little switch would set off this code. I removed it and found it to be jammed up with gunk. Clean it out, made sure it work, and reinstall it. Code went away.

The VSV is shown here by the red arrow and this is looking at it from behind the right front wheel. It's held on by one 10mm bolt and has two vacuum lines and one wire plug. Clean the vacuum line too, one of them goes to the EGR and might be clog.

[JohnGD]

hehe true. I think that shows Sea Foam is going it's work.

Originally Posted by fenixus

not sure, but it might have been me LOL

IIRC I encountered sticky EGR valve at some point and what helped make it better (still not 100% cured afterward unfortunately) was to remove the backpressure rubber hose from the side of EGR valve and spray (like for 15 secs) the Sea Foam Deep Creep (foam spray from local Autozone) into that hole on valve body.

then leave it for 10-15 mins and start the car instantly revving it to 2,5k rpm for starters (might produce white smoke) until it warms up and then give it a few good (brief) bursts to 5k rpm. it should do it (it helped me). in my case some crap flew out of exhaust after that and car started running smoother.

that thick rubber hose needs to be twisted to sides a couple times first before it allows itself get removed by gently pulling (it sits on a barbed pipe, don't tear the hose by pulling it with monkey strength initially like I almost did, I almost ripped it apart).

this hose connects on the other end to the bottom of EGR vacuum modulator.

if that doesn't help to get the code dismissed ultimately (do a reset by pulling for 2 minutes the ECU 15A blue fuse from Main Fuse Box under hood, driver side) you will have to unbolt the valve and clean it. warning! be ready to buy new valve if things go wrong (they did for me).

also if planning to unbolt the EGR valve, buy 2 new gaskets (1 metal, 1 cork or something like it) for it and 2 new bolts 10mm head (they hold it down to exhaust pipe) from dealer ahead of time.