[Irishrover]

:behindsofa:

In preparation for getting a Synergy, I decided to have a look at the EGR fitted to my 2002 TD4.
I have followed the many posts relating to EGR blanking and cleaning.
Yes, as half expected my EGR was well crudded and the Inlet manifold looks as though a good clean would do no harm, the EGR was cleaned using White Spirit. I have ordered a set of gaskets and will remove & clean the manifold when they arrive.
I have also fitted the BMW cyclone PCV today to replace the "Cotton reel" filter which I fitted a few months ago.
Another job I have done today is to blank the vaccum hose off to the EGR.
My quick question is this....If I have blanked the vaccum supply to the EGR off, this means that the EGR is permanently closed and will not operate. Do I need to buy and fit the blanking EGR or have I duplicated what the blanking kit will do by disabling the existing EGR operation. Are there any advantages in replacing the existing EGR with the custom made kit ??

 

[JC600]

I've only blanked the vacuum hose, so the EGR won't open.....meaning only clean air goes in, no exhaust gases.

You don't need to buy a bypass.

 

[Singvogel]

I think most folks just re-fit the manifold with the original gaskets.

Buying an EGR by-pass will mean that the air-flow through it will have no obstruction.

A de-activated EGR still has a fair bit of the cross-section occupied with the piston/valve gubbins.

A small improvement perhaps - but as they say in Asda - 'every little helps'.

 

[Irishrover]

:behindsofa:
Thanks for the prompt response guys..appreciated.
As can be seen from my profile I was a commited petrol head until late last year so these diesels are a learning curve !!!
Regarding the gaskets, it's just my luck that one will rip when I remove the manifold
Hope to do an oil/filter change later this week so I will probably do the lot in one go.
Reading the EGR "Sticky", I see that some have used Oven Cleaner to clean the manifold ports and others White Spirit or Paraffin. The tip about using a bottle brush makes good sense.
Any recommendations on which shifts the ****e easiest would be welcome. How many cans of Mr Muscle oven cleaner were used ?
:smokin:

Anyone put it in the dishwasher ??:hysterically_laughi:bolt:

 

[JC600]

Just used a can of cheap oven cleaner, and left it soaking overnight, then bottle brush and a good rinse.

 

[Irishrover]

:behindsofa:
Right.....Ordered the manifold gaskets and EGR blanking mod today and bought a couple of bottle brushes from the local hardware shop in readiness for de-gunging the manifold.
I looked at the Oven cleaners available and the directions on each product said not to be used on plastics amongst other things.
Reading the posts in the EGR removal "Sticky" and the above post it is obvious that the cleaner shifts the gunge a treat after leaving it soaking overnight. Did the manifolds suffer any problems afterwards ??

I have disconnected the EGR and blanked the outlet at the "Banjo Tee" and as many have posted, there is a very noticeable difference in the way she performs...now much better response at low revs. Looking forward to seeing yet more of an improvement when I get the Synergy next month after the electric bill and 1000 litres of heating oil have been paid for

 

[hd3]

I looked at the Oven cleaners available and the directions on each product said not to be used on plastics amongst other things.

if your worried about plastics etc ..
" gunk " .. would work fine i rekon ..

GUNK

~~~~~

halfords sell it 'n do a 'green' non-toxic variety as well ..

 

[Ian jones]

I found oven cleaner was poor , could not leave overnight , used white spirit and passed lenths of rag through the holes in turn using a lenth of wire , took a few hours to get all the gunk out , i have never before come across stuff so black , took an age to clean up , worth doing though

 

[Irishrover]

if your worried about plastics etc ..
" gunk " .. would work fine i rekon ..

GUNK

~~~~~

halfords sell it 'n do a 'green' non-toxic variety as well ..

Was thinking of Gunk....I have had an unopened 2 litre can of it for over 3 years. Bought it on a whim thinking "It might come in handy one day"
Used it years ago for cleaning a gungy engine & gearbox but the ports of the manifold look as though the ****e is caked on quite crusty. I will try Gunk on one port, oven cleaner on another-but only for a couple of minutes or so and White Spirit on another and report back. It's going to be a week or so before I get down & dirty.

 

[Singvogel]

I found oven cleaner was poor , could not leave overnight , used white spirit and passed lenths of rag through the holes in turn using a lenth of wire , took a few hours to get all the gunk out , i have never before come across stuff so black , took an age to clean up , worth doing though

I agree - I've never had to clean anything so foul, black and sticky.

Best to wear rubber gloves and have plenty of newspaper as the black sh*t doesn't come off clothes, carpets or from under fingernails.

I used paraffin and then the Mr Muscle multi-surface detergent (the orange bottle) for the final clean up - but it was over a week before all traces of it were gone from my hands.