EGR Modulator - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

_RPM_ · 10-05-2002, 02:12 AM

Hi, just like about 3-4 days ago i brought in my 94 camry LE V6 to a dealership for a engine-light check. They decarbed my engine and cleaned a filter (forgot what kind of filter though), the engine-light was gone. Now just today the engine-light came back on again (WTF?), i brought it in for a check again, now they say that they may need to replace my EGR modulator and it's was quoted for approx $200 CDN (not sure if it includes labour though). What is an EGR modulator? What does it do? And is that price right? And would it be recommended that i get this EGR modulator replaced at another shop?
Thank you

Zeek321 · 10-05-2002, 02:54 AM

ouch.. all i know is dealers always charge more, atleast here in USA.... if i were you i would go ask a part store about it, maybe they got it cheaper..... but always remember that a dealer may charge more, but if anything goes wrong they'll fix it...

88 LE · 10-05-2002, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _RPM_

What is an EGR modulator?

EGR (exahust gas recirculation) VM (vacuum modulator).

Quote:

What does it do?

I think it regulates the amount of vacumm that the EGR vavle sees. Not real sure though.

Its some kinda diaphram with a hose on the bottom of it that hooks up to the EGR vavle.

Jaspher · 10-05-2002, 09:30 AM

EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation)
What the EGR does is route exhaust gas back into the intake system to reduce the temperature reached during combustion. This reduce the chances of forming Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) during combustion.

Having an ERG reduces the power of the engine at higher RPMs but it makes your car more friendly to the environment.

Earlier model cars w/ carburator allows you to disable your EGR. This is done by placing a brearing ball into the vacuum hose to prevent the diaphragm within the EGR open the outlet into the intake system. Later model car will get an engine code if the EGR is disabled.

_RPM_ · 10-05-2002, 11:54 AM

HI thanks for the replies.
Regarding about placing a bearing ball to increase power... how would i do that? And would the mechanic at the toyota dealship be able to find out? Aside from making more power at higher rpm, is there any side affects? Like perhaps lower gas mileage? drop in torque? rough idle? drivability? Decrease engine life?
Cuz since it is a 94 Camry, is not a powerful as it use to be... even though is a V6... is not as "alive" as it use to be when i first got it. So i'd like to get the engine like it was before and even to keep it living much longer...

PLRBEAR · 10-05-2002, 12:44 PM

EGR valve is covered for 8yrs/130,000kms. I assume you're past that mileage? It is possible to remove it and clean it with carb cleaner. Might just be caked up with carbon. Dealerships LOVE to replace rather than repair. 8)

BTW, removing (and not replacing) or modifying the EGR system is against the law. It is an emissions part just like your catalytic converter.

_RPM_ · 10-05-2002, 06:59 PM

actually they did clean the carbon off the valve... but the engine light came back on 4 days after... now they need to replace it... so i guess the only way around is to replace the modulator right?

PLRBEAR · 10-05-2002, 08:30 PM

Yup.

See if you can get parts from another source though.

_RPM_ · 10-10-2002, 12:37 AM

hey ppl
well i got the EGR Modulator fixed this morning... so then i was driving home at night... and u know what... the engine light came on again!!...WTF!!

PLRBEAR · 10-10-2002, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _RPM_

hey ppl
well i got the EGR Modulator fixed this morning... so then i was driving home at night... and u know what... the engine light came on again!!...WTF!!

If you got it done at the dealership, then bring it in again. They shouldn't charge you for replacing the EGR.
Perhaps it might be a good time to ask the dealership, exactly what codes the ECU spewed out.