Where is the EGR valve located on?
The EGR valve is not in a single universal location; on most engines you’ll find it mounted on or near either the intake manifold or the exhaust manifold, typically connected by a metal EGR tube and a vacuum line or electrical connector. The exact spot varies by make, model, and engine design.
Where to look: common configurations
To understand where it might be on a given vehicle, it helps to know the typical layouts used by manufacturers. The following covers the kinds of placements you’re most likely to encounter.
- Exhaust-manifold to intake-manifold layout: The valve is bolted to one of the manifolds or the cylinder head near the exhaust outlet, with a metal tube carrying exhaust gas to the intake path and an electrical connector or vacuum hose for control.
- Intake-manifold or throttle-body integration: On many modern engines the EGR valve is mounted directly on or inside the intake manifold, sometimes sharing the throttle-body mounting flange or located beside it, with a short EGR passage into the intake tract.
- Diesel or turbocharged layouts: Some diesels and turbo engines place the valve near the rear of the engine compartment or near an EGR cooler, connected by tubing from the exhaust side to the intake side.
In short, you’ll likely find it either on/near the exhaust side of the engine (before the intake) or integrated with the intake manifold on many modern engines. For a precise location, it’s best to know the vehicle’s exact year, make, model, and engine code.
How to identify the EGR valve on your engine
Look for a small valve with a metal or plastic body, usually about the size of a small can or large candy tin. It will have one or more electrical connectors and a vacuum port or sensor line, plus a metal tube or pipe running to the exhaust manifold or to the intake passage.
Tips for locating quickly
Follow the metal exhaust pipe from the exhaust manifold toward the intake side; the EGR valve is typically encountered along this path. On many modern cars, it sits near the back of the engine or mounted on the intake manifold itself, sometimes beneath the throttle body.
Summary
Across vehicles, the EGR valve does not have a single universal location. It is most commonly found on or near the intake manifold or exhaust manifold, connected by a metal tube and a control line (vacuum or electrical). For precise placement, consult the service manual for your specific year, make, model, and engine code.
Can I replace my EGR valve myself?
EGR valve itself is easy to replace, with very minor spillage. I removed mine, soaked it, replaced it without issue.
What happens when an EGR valve goes bad?
When an EGR valve goes bad, it can cause poor engine performance, increased emissions, and various symptoms like a rough idle, stalling, engine knocking, and a lit check engine light. These issues occur because the valve either gets stuck open or closed, preventing the correct recirculation of exhaust gases to control combustion temperatures and reduce harmful emissions.
Stuck open
- Rough or unstable idle: Too much exhaust gas enters the combustion chamber, disrupting the air-fuel mixture.
- Engine stalling: The engine may stall when idling because of the incorrect air-fuel ratio.
- Reduced power and poor acceleration: Engine power is reduced, particularly at low speeds.
- Decreased fuel economy: Inefficient combustion leads to lower fuel efficiency.
Stuck closed
- Engine knocking or pinging: The valve fails to recirculate exhaust gases, causing combustion temperatures to rise. This can lead to premature ignition, which sounds like a pinging or knocking noise.
- Failed emissions test: The valve can't do its job of reducing nitrogen oxides (NOxcap N cap O sub x𝑁𝑂𝑥), leading to higher emissions and a potential failure.
- Engine overheating: Without exhaust gas to cool the combustion chamber, the engine can run hotter than normal.
Other common signs
- Check Engine Light: The dashboard light will often turn on to indicate a problem with the emissions system.
- Smell of fuel: A bad EGR valve can sometimes cause a gasoline odor from the tailpipe.
- Increased fuel consumption: This is a symptom that can be present in both open and closed valve situations, as the engine isn't running efficiently.
How do I clean my EGR valve myself?
You can attempt to clean it without removal by using an EGR system cleaner designed for gasoline engines. Start by warming up the engine, then gradually spray the cleaner into the intake while maintaining the RPM around 2000.
Where is my EGR valve located?
First thing we got to do is remove this bolt and take this vacuum pot. Off. We can lift this kind of get it out of the way. These vacuum lines you just got to kind of pop them. Out.
