Cleaning EGR

[rad_dude]

Hello forum,
I got two questions. 1) How do you clean an EGR? 2) My check engine light was on for a while & i got error code whatever (40something, i think it was over a year ago) insufficient flow, unplugged the battery to change the headlight, and several days later the "check engine" light has not come back on, will it? The check engine light (same error code, which ever it was) has been on for almost 2 years & i have unplugged the battery several times & when i replugged it back in the "check engine" light comes came on within 5 minutes of driving.... its been several days now and it has yet to come on...?

any: thoughts, suggestions, good recipies?

thanks again!

J0sh

[iToaster]

The code for the EGR is 71, my previous Corolla had this problem. There are a few causes, say a stuck EGR valve or clogged VSV to name a few, but it's most likely a clogged EGR passage. Essentially, you need something thin, long, relatively sturdy, and preferably bristled to go in there and sweep the carbon deposits out yourself. From experience, spray cleaners tend to be ineffective, but I hear shops use a particularly nasty chemical to dissolve the carbon, so taking it to a mechanic would be an option if you don't want to fool around with it yourself.

The check engine light is funky, the computer looks at readings in a variety of conditions, so it can be a while before it comes back on, but an EGR won't clean itself so I doubt it's fixed.

[BDSL]

I have cleaned the EGR a month ago on my mom's corolla. One of the smaller hoses was completely clogged with carbon. I sprayed brake cleaner and compressed air into the hose.

It has been more than a month now and CEL did not come back.

[Bitter]

you can use steel cable spun in a drill to clear carbon. spin in the direction its wound so it doesnt fray open totally. use a greased kitchen glove with one hand to help guide it in.