Replace or clean EGR?

2001 EX-V6 Accord with 170,000 miles. Just got a P0401 code. The check
engine light went out on it's own (TCS light was also on when this occurred)
then lit up again a week later.

Trying to find information on the procedure for cleaning the EGR. Not much
out there. Found 1 article stating special tools are required.
http://www.faqfarm.com/Q/How_do_you_clean_or_replace_the_EGR_in_Honda_Accord_2000_V6_2_Dr

Anybody attempt this with the standard tools one might find in a typical
home garage? Trying to determine if I should attempt this myself or just
buy a new EGR. They're expensive ($200 plus) but maybe not depending on how
much effort it takes to clean and drill it out and what the special reamer
costs, especially if I'm only going to use it one.

Any insight from those experienced in this would be appreciated.

 

http://www.98exl.com/tsb/CG/99-085%20-%20Accord%20Warranty%20Extension%20EGR%20Port%20Clogging.pdf

 

http://www.98exl.com/tsb/CG/99-085%20-%20Accord%20Warranty%20Extension%20EGR%20Port%20Clogging.pdf

 

http://www.98exl.com/tsb/CG/99-085%20-%20Accord%20Warranty%20Extension%20EGR%20Port%20Clogging.pdf

 

This won't do the OP any good. The extended warranty is good for only
80,000 miles, but this Accord has 170,000 miles on it.

 

This won't do the OP any good. The extended warranty is good for only
80,000 miles, but this Accord has 170,000 miles on it.

 

This won't do the OP any good. The extended warranty is good for only
80,000 miles, but this Accord has 170,000 miles on it.

 

Original Poster: Did you mean the valve itself? Or only the ports and
passageways?

I have a follow-up question for the masses out there: I had the same
prob where insufficient EGR Flow causes this P0401 code and we know the
fix for it, but I was told that over time if not remedied it will fail
the EGR valve...on the other hand I've also been told that these EGR
valves pretty much never fail? Well do they? And is this true?

Kevin

 

Original Poster: Did you mean the valve itself? Or only the ports and
passageways?

I have a follow-up question for the masses out there: I had the same
prob where insufficient EGR Flow causes this P0401 code and we know the
fix for it, but I was told that over time if not remedied it will fail
the EGR valve...on the other hand I've also been told that these EGR
valves pretty much never fail? Well do they? And is this true?

Kevin

 

Original Poster: Did you mean the valve itself? Or only the ports and
passageways?

I have a follow-up question for the masses out there: I had the same
prob where insufficient EGR Flow causes this P0401 code and we know the
fix for it, but I was told that over time if not remedied it will fail
the EGR valve...on the other hand I've also been told that these EGR
valves pretty much never fail? Well do they? And is this true?

Kevin

 

Well, it's too late for me warranty wise, but that's the instructions on
doing the entire service.

Thanks

But I don't think I'll go through all of that, especially the drilling.
Looks a little beyond what I think I'm willing to go through, I may just
use these instructions to get at the valve itself and try cleaning it out
with some pipe cleaners and a little carb cleaner. Vehicle went 170k
without being drilled, a good cleaning should buy me a lot more time.

 

Well, it's too late for me warranty wise, but that's the instructions on
doing the entire service.

Thanks

But I don't think I'll go through all of that, especially the drilling.
Looks a little beyond what I think I'm willing to go through, I may just
use these instructions to get at the valve itself and try cleaning it out
with some pipe cleaners and a little carb cleaner. Vehicle went 170k
without being drilled, a good cleaning should buy me a lot more time.

 

Well, it's too late for me warranty wise, but that's the instructions on
doing the entire service.

Thanks

But I don't think I'll go through all of that, especially the drilling.
Looks a little beyond what I think I'm willing to go through, I may just
use these instructions to get at the valve itself and try cleaning it out
with some pipe cleaners and a little carb cleaner. Vehicle went 170k
without being drilled, a good cleaning should buy me a lot more time.

 

But the detailed instructions on what they do are there, so it's a good
start.

 

But the detailed instructions on what they do are there, so it's a good
start.

 

But the detailed instructions on what they do are there, so it's a good
start.

 

Well I'm not really sure. I only have the error code and what the Service
Bulletin says to do as a reference at this point. Based on the wording of
the error messsage, "Insufficient airflow" I would take that to mean the
ports and passageways. I guess when I get in there we'll see how hard it is
to clean.

Well I went 170k without that service ever being performed. We'll see what
condition the valve is in after I attempt to clean it.

 

Well I'm not really sure. I only have the error code and what the Service
Bulletin says to do as a reference at this point. Based on the wording of
the error messsage, "Insufficient airflow" I would take that to mean the
ports and passageways. I guess when I get in there we'll see how hard it is
to clean.

Well I went 170k without that service ever being performed. We'll see what
condition the valve is in after I attempt to clean it.

 

Well I'm not really sure. I only have the error code and what the Service
Bulletin says to do as a reference at this point. Based on the wording of
the error messsage, "Insufficient airflow" I would take that to mean the
ports and passageways. I guess when I get in there we'll see how hard it is
to clean.

Well I went 170k without that service ever being performed. We'll see what
condition the valve is in after I attempt to clean it.

 

That is why I sent the link, you mentioned possibly trying to do it
yourself. Our '99 Accord had this done at around 70,000 miles by the
dealer's service department.