You’ve probably already read about the well-known EGR valve, the anti-pollution valve. It is not generally appreciated by car owners because it tends to create more concerns than anything else… In actual fact, based on the use you are going to make of your car, it can become clogged and cause you a lot of complications. If this is the situation, you are probably wanting to know how to clean the EGR valve of your Mercedes C class ? Don’t stress, we’ve prepared this article to help you with this procedure. To accomplish this, we will initially look at the intent of the EGR valve, then what are the failures that the EGR valve of your Mercedes C class can bring on and finally the part that will probably concern you the most, how to clean the EGR valve Mercedes C class?
How to Clean your Mercedes C class EGR Valve: Role and Operation
Role of the EGR valve
The EGR valve of your car has been added to diesel engines mostly to reduce pollution released by automobiles and to fulfill EURO measures on Mercedes C class . It will as a consequence control the quality of exhaust gas output and eliminate toxic particles, mainly Nitrogen Oxide.
Operation of the EGR valve
Before we learn how to clean the EGR valve on your Mercedes C class , we will have a look at how it operates. As seen just before, its mission is to clean the exhaust fumes, so it will be installed at the engine outlet, thanks to a valve, it will be able to return the unburned exhaust gases to the engine for a second burn which will eliminate all unburned toxic particles. It will run principally at low speed because at high speed the combustion is enough to burn all these gases.
How to clean your Mercedes C class EGR valve: Identifying faults
The EGR valve, even though very useful to limit the pollution emissions of your Mercedes C class , will sadly tend to clog up because of soot/gas deposits that will build up in its system, which will finally risk obstructing the functions of the valve, until totally blocking the engine unit, here are the symptoms that a faulty EGR valve on your Mercedes C class can provoke:
- Motor light on
- Power loss
- Technical inspection refused
- Black gases
- Car that grazes at low speed
- Low RPM settings
How to clean your Mercedes C class EGR valve: In practice
And now we’ll begin the part you are most serious about, how to clean the EGR valve of your car. Here are the two techniques that you can use.
Do it on your own
How to clean your Mercedes C class EGR valve system: Without dismantle
Nevertheless this methodology is less effective, it is however possible to consider a “rough” cleaning of your EGR valve, the truth is, you will only need to use fuel additives, similar to the products used to clean the injection. These particular products must be injected into the running engine, at the right operating temperature, diluted in about 20 litres of fuel and run the engine for 3 or 4 minutes in high rev to clean the EGR valve of your Mercedes C class.
How to clean your car EGR valve: With disassembly
Here is the most effective methodology, which will require enough access to the EGR valve to carry out the process yourself. If so, the procedure is fairly easy. You will need to disconnect the electromagnet from the EGR valve, remove the few screws that hold it in place, and remove it. Once these guidelines are accomplished, now comes the time for cleaning. To achieve this, you will need to use a product such as solvent, petrol, oven cleaning product, which you will leave to act for ten minutes, then scrape off the rest using a scraper, finish cleaning with wire brush. If you want to go further, you can as well clean the two conduits on which it is connected which may be scorched, for this, use a scraper and a vacuum cleaner to avoid dropping deposits in the conduits. You will only have to reassemble it and you will have finished cleaning the EGR valve of your Mercedes C class.
Have it done by a professional
If, your EGR valve is not accessible because of the series or the engine of your car and if removing it would cause too many difficulties (removing too many elements that hinder access for example), how to clean the EGR valve of your Mercedes C class? In such a case, it would be better rather than launching yourself into an overly complex procedure, you turn to an auto mechanic. He will be able to perform the job more cleanly and will be able, if necessary, to change the valve if it is dead. The cost of cleaning based on the difficulty of access is between 70 and 300 €.
Remove the EGR valve of your Mercedes C class
At last, some individuals make a more radical decision to limit the risk of a failed valve. Instead of cleaning the EGR valve of their Mercedes C class, they simply prefer to block it in the closed position. This manipulation will have the result of greatly increasing the pollution released by the car, of no longer complying with pollution criteria, of having an engine warning light all day on and in the end risk fouling the engine. We highly suggest against making this choice. If you have other questions or want to learn more about your car, don’t be reluctant to take a look at our dedicated page.
If you want more tutorials on the Mercedes C class, go to our Mercedes C class category.
