Plugged Egr Valves Why?

100K miles dealer said my egr valves were plugged. Said it was caused
by bad gas. He said it was common to some models of Honda. My
questions are: 1. My oil consumption has increased by double in the
last 10k miles. 2. I have noticed an octane knock on acceleration.
That started about 10K miles ago. What's the chance the plugged egr
valves caused both problems? 3. I have mostly used regular octane gas
when the owners manual recommended premium. (98 prelude) Would that
cause the plugged egr valves? Dealer is charged $200 to repair. Cheap
compared to the $700 for the water pump and timing belt. I am not
complaining this is the first trip ever for services other then tires
and oils changes! thanks tom

 

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Tom,

If your oil consumption suddenly jumped, your PCV is probably shot (or
you cracked a ring or something) You can probably change the PCV yourself.

Tell us what prompted you to see the DEALER, and what codes he wrote on
your work order.....

'Curly'

 

Plugged EGR is a good thing, as long as it doesn't set the code. EGR only
get your engine to idle rougher. If I don't have to deal with smog, I
would bypass it.

On the other hand, stuck EGR is bad. It could possibly let too much hot
exhaust gas into one cylinder, causing that cylinder to knock.

Oil consumption has to do with engine braking and plugged PCV system. Oil
burning during engine braking is good. It help cool and clean the cylinder
rings. I use engine braking regularly.

Plugged PCV system is bad. It create high pressure inside the engine
during certain angle of the crankshaft. This reduce the power of the
engine. It also cause the seals to pop, and some oil leaks.