How to Clean EGR System in Your Car (Low Flow Code P0401)

EGR system. How to clean the egr system. EGR system cleaning and carbon removal in your car DIY with Scotty Kilmer. Low flow trouble code P0401. How to clean carbon build up in the EGR system to fix check engine light and trouble code P0401. DIY car repair with Scotty Kilmer, an auto mechanic for the last 43 years.

⬇️Scotty’s Top DIY Tools:

⬇️Things used in this video:
8. Common Sense

🛠Check out my Garage to see what I use every day and highly recommend:

❗️Check out the Scotty store:

👉Follow me on Instagram for the latest news, funnies, and exclusive info / pics:

If you liked this video, consider subscribing and press the bell Icon to get updated on the latest videos every week.

Scotty Kilmer is a participant in the Amazon Influencer Program.
#savagescotty

[scottykilmer]

⬇️Scotty’s Top DIY Tools:

⬇️Things used in this video:
8. Common Sense

🛠Check out my Garage to see what I use every day and highly recommend:

❗️Check out the Scotty store:

👉Follow me on Instagram for the latest news, funnies, and exclusive info / pics:

[minsch]

This video saved us $1495.00.  That is what the mechanic wanted to get our 2000 Odyssey to pass the smog test.  Our check engine light was on and we were told we needed a new catalytic converter, new oxygen sensors, etc.  After watching your video, we decided to try cleaning out the EGR valve port.  Your video moved a little fast, but we managed to follow your steps and it worked!   Our van was able to pass smog and the only thing it cost was a can of carburetor and intake valve cleaner and about an hour or so of our time.  Thank you!

[drummerhire]

When i found your channel, I was driving a PT I am a proud owner of a 1999 and 2002 be happier!!!

[arturr]

I cleared that dreaded code on my 99 Accord after doing this procedure, I just drove through about one or 2 tanks of gas and the check engine light went off. I found that a shot gun, or any big bore gun cleaning wire brush works wonders on those ports and gets every bit of that carbon out with a lot of help from break or carburetor cleaner. Also the throttle body was stuck on there after I took the nuts off, I used a flat head screw driver buy placing it in the notch on the front of the TB and gently pried it off with a some help from a plastic or wooden hammer. Make sure to clean the throttle body and intake manifold as well. My milage and throttle response noticeably improved.

[hitchensthinksnot]

I appreciate your channel and I'm sure you've saved lots of people cash.
I have a Prius, lost a bet, and fixed mine in the following manner.
I had cleaned everything, but the code was still there. If you pull the plastic cover off of the engine, on the right side, you'll see the black cover to the egr valve. Wiring harness, and two Phillips screws, in plain sight. I removed the two screws, and unscrewed the cylindrical magnet with the bearing. If you clean out the grease from inside the magnet, you'll see a little nub that wears down. I simply put a washer over the threaded rod, thus extending the throw of the valve to a pre-worn state. It WORKED ! Seems the travel of the plunger gets shorter and sets the code. Hopefully this will help some viewers. All I ask in return, is for smokers to use ashtrays, and not the highways or parking lots. C'mon America, take pride...

[scottykilmer]

pretty much just a normal pain removing everything in the way. My advice, use a digital camera and take pictures as you take it apart for reference

[HarshSharma]

I have a 2003 Sonata, I cleaned the EGR system yesterday, based on information in this video and AAHA!! check engine light is gone and I cleared the Smog today with no issues. Thanks Scotty !!

[piority]

Drinking game: take a shot every time scotty says "back on".

[gerry]

scotty you are an absolute star
had this problem with my toyota avensis diesel
took 2 hours and now its running perfect .
your simple no nonsence approach is fantastic

[scottykilmer]

remove the intake as I did, that's where they always clog up on those engines

[scottykilmer]

@Killerclown360 yep, the fuel pump replacement job was messed up. the system now has leaks or the sensor has been damaged when taking the tank apart. Have to take it all apart again, or live with the stupid code, it normally has nothing to do with it running bad.

[scottykilmer]

yes, being that old, they do plug up over time and cleaning fixes them

[scottykilmer]

@ThisLaoGuy you can often clean em and put em back together if they are just dirty.

[scottykilmer]

those evap systems can be a pain, but the evap purge valve goes bad and often trips that code.

[scottykilmer]

@moofushu No, it evaporates if you let it sit half an hour with the throttle open. Scotty

[Twizzy]

your like a mechanic that would be on a commercial the way you do your videos! quick and smooth love it. I just hit the subscribed button👍

[scottykilmer]

@VPdan egr monitor can take a LONG time to get ready, sometimes 200 miles of highway driving or more. Scotty

[pierobp]

that leaf you left in the TB will add another 20 hp

[scottykilmer]

@upsallysskirt I took the leaf off, but it wouldn't have hurt anything, it would just have been burned up. Scotty

[scottykilmer]

@409na it would just bog down and stall unless you revved it up. Many guys do that to clean out crud.