What are the effects of a faulty EGR valve?
2 Answers
EGR valve failure can lead to symptoms such as extremely unstable idling or even stalling, flashing warning lights, failure to meet annual emission inspection standards, oil burning, and blue smoke from the exhaust. Below is an introduction to the EGR system: Introduction: The EGR valve is a mechatronic product installed on diesel engines to control the amount of exhaust gas recirculated back into the intake system. It is typically located on the right side of the intake manifold, near the throttle body, and is connected to a short metal pipe leading to the exhaust manifold. Function: Its role is to regulate the amount of exhaust gas entering the intake manifold, allowing a certain quantity of exhaust gas to flow into the intake manifold for recirculation. The EGR valve is a very important and critical component in the exhaust gas recirculation system.
My experience with car repairs is that a faulty EGR valve can really cause a lot of trouble. The main issue is the failure of emission control. Without exhaust gases being recirculated back into the engine, combustion temperatures rise, leading to a significant increase in nitrogen oxide emissions. Not only does this pollute the environment, but it can also cause the car to fail annual inspections, resulting in fines which are even more frustrating. Engine performance also declines noticeably—you'll experience shaking, sluggish acceleration, and a 10%-20% increase in fuel consumption. A full tank of gas will take you dozens of kilometers fewer than usual. The risk of engine knocking also rises, sounding like the engine is pinging, which can damage internal components like pistons or valves if ignored. I once saw a Volkswagen owner neglect this issue, and it eventually led to turbo failure, doubling the repair costs. My advice is to get it checked promptly—repairing this on an average car costs just a few hundred bucks, so don’t delay. Regular maintenance, including inspecting the EGR system and cleaning the valve, can extend its lifespan by over 5 years.
