Ozzieninja

I drive a 97 Acura cl 3.0 and just hit 250,000! My check engine light went on months back spitting the code P0401, thanks to the forums I knew what I had to do but put it off cause I thought it would be long job. Well I had to get my emissions checked and it would fail with this so the time came. Let me say it was cake! I used this link.

http://www.driveaccord.net/PDF/egr_port_clogging.pdf

It seemed intimidating at first cause I had to detach a lot of things but it was pretty self explanatory. I didn't buy a new EGR kit or special drill bit either. I didn't even need a drill, just a few bits and carburetor cleaner. It was like cleaning resin out of a well used pipe. Didn't spend a dime. So if anyone is putting this off or thinking of taking their car to the stealership I'd recommend doing it yourself its simple. No more check engine light and I passed emmisions.

Gnate

iTrader: (10)

nice job!

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

nice, too bad your miles are so high or you could have gotten the free emissions work done

Gnate

iTrader: (10)

3.0's weren't eligible i thought.

Ozzieninja

free emissions work...? on a car with 250,000 miles? really?

Gnate

iTrader: (10)

No, he was saying its too bad you have such high mileage and a 3.0. 97 2.2's are allowed free emissions tune ups before i think its 175,000 miles.

Ozzieninja

Ha word...I bought the car at 190k for 4000 they guy thought I could put another 15k on it so far I've put 60k on it...I've replaced the motor/track for the passenger window (40 bucks ebay), cleaned the egr (freebie) and replaced all the rotors and pads...which was a bitch since they slide off towards the engine bay, while everything was apart I changed the front bearings too. (bout 300) The dealership wanted something like 2 grand for a break job, pays to do it yourself but the rotors gave me some trouble, still worth it.

Ozzieninja

just remembered, I went on a 5 month hiking trip and when I returned my hood latch had rusted shut...20 bucks for a new one on ebay it was a bitch trying to get my hood up lol

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

the 97's are up to like 150K or something

1stcl:daze1

Hey anyone have this DIY, this link, http://www./PDF/egr_port_clogging.pdf ,is not working anymore...thanks appreciate the help !!

jcci

https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tl-1999-2003-98/diy-thermoblok-spacers-install-egr-cleaning-615644/

Man is this forum full of info......gonna have to learn how to step away......

MUCKBOY83

hey where do i go on the website to learn how to unclog egr?

OttaWacK

^^ read and search, there are several posts.

Mach30SiR

I have the pdf. PM me your email address if you want.

P0401

iTrader: (1)

I know this is an old thread but as you can see by my user nick I have the EGR code on my 97 3.0. I saw some parts on eBay saying it was a permanent fix for the EGR problem and was wondering if that is true. The link above is for a 4 cylinder motor and was wondering how much different is the 3.0 since the pdf link doesn't work any longer

Polaris573

Ignore the part about the spacer install. Unless you want to install them
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=615644

P0401

iTrader: (1)

thanks, I don't know what I was thinking but for some reason I was thinking that was a 4 cylinder. Anyhow thanks for he response, now do you happen to have heard of this "permanent fix" thing for the EGR where you will never have this problem again?

P0401

iTrader: (1)

I did this fix today and it was allot easier than I expected, the tutorial really helped allot and only took like 30 minutes to complete. My port was totally clogged up but was really easy to clean out with a can of carb cleaner and drill bit. The CEL light is finally off and hopefully it will stay that way for awhile. Thanks everyone for all the help and if anyone is putting off doing this there is no need because it was really simple to do

Polaris573

If I recall correctly acura had some type of insert that was supposed to "permanently fix" the egr flow problem. I think it still occurs even with that though. I've never heard of the ebay item you're talking about and can't find it in a search. Link?

P0401

iTrader: (1)

this is the one i was referring to http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1997-...Q5fAccessories . the fix is just the sleeve that you are talking about that you drill and insert. from what i have read on here it may help a little but is not a permanent fix like they say. I took mine apart and cleaned everything and fixed mine until next time but it was a very easy fix. I didn't buy the kit I was asking about I just used the instructions on this site to do mine. One thing they forgot to show on here though is they showed the port on the intake but didn't even mention the port on the head that has to be cleaned also. I had to take mine apart twice because of this, I just did the intake and cleared my code and it came back on and I was like what the heck and read and reread the instructions and couldn't think of why it was doing it, so I thought "hey there has to be a port in the head as well that may be clogged" so i took it back apart and yep there was. So i cleaned it the second time and all has been well for over 400 miles so far

homeinsandiego

can some one repost the pdf?

Polaris573

Nope, but can you read 5 posts above yours?

homeinsandiego

What does the spacer kit do?
If I only want to clean the EGR port, do I still need to buy new gaskets.

Polaris573

The thermoblock spacers are optional. They keep the throttle body and intake manifold cooler. You might as well buy new regular throttle body and intake manifold gaskets while you have everything torn apart though. They're not too expensive and you may or may not do damage to your old ones when you take everything apart.

Joshkl

link where spacers can be purchased?

P0401

iTrader: (1)

http://www.outlawengineering.com/index.html

Joshkl

fsho. thanks.

shnee

just for anyone looking at this, the URL is missing d*ri*ve*acc*or*d .net (without the asterisks, obviously)

damn CEL is on again, 5 years later.

giants200

Hi, I have the same P0401 code on my 97 Acura CL 3.0. I have replaced and cleaned the EGR valve and passage, but after 200 miles the check engine light came back on again with the same P0401 code. Anyone can advise what I can do next? Could there be leakage on any other places? Thanks in advance!

BLeague

I was excited to read your post since I got the same code "P 0401" and have been dreading taking care of it. Your pdf link doesn't work anymore. Can you e-mail me and tell me what you did to fix it??

bkl27@hotmail.com

P0401

iTrader: (1)

here is a walk through that will give you all the information you need, just no need to do the spacer thing but do everything else https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=615644 It doesn't show them cleaning the port inside the block but be sure you clean the one on the intake and the one that corresponds with the intake port on the block as well. i forgot this step and had to redo the whole process. I did this about a year ago and have had absolutely no problems from it again yet