I'm currently getting to a valve adjustment for the first time. And I just got off the upper intake manifold cover to discover this (see pics below).
Questions:
Is this what they call the EGR that needs to be cleaned?
Is all this build up the reason I get such crappy MPG? I get anywhere between ~~19 to 22 mpg per fill-up.
How often should this be cleaned and what is the best product to get through all this buildup?
Is the gasket re-useable after cleaning?

All your advice is appreciated. Thanks, Frank.

 

Very likely.

I perform the service every 12-18 months, depending on how much driving I do. See below for cleaner.

Just soak the hell out of it in GumOut Carb & Choke Cleaner. Any brake cleaner product will do; however, IMHO, I have found the GumOut cuts it like no other. Avoid getting the cleaner on any painted parts. It will cause staining/paint damage. Also check/clean the EGR and its passage on the block, they tend to clog as well.

Caveat: Make sure you note the way the upper intake manifold gasket is positioned before removal. It needs to be replace correctly in order to avoid performance issues. Don't over torque the special flange bolts on the upper intake manifold cover, they tend to snap. Make sure not to get Carb cleaner on the rubber gasket at the plenum, it will deform.

Good Luck.

 

clean that shit up or else your egr will get bocked like my moms mdx did. and it will hurt mileage a bit i think.. i used brake cleaner and let it do the job.. also take the egr off and spray some down the passsageway by the neck of the manifold and u will see it come out where the egr was mounted. cleaner up skip

 

I need to clean mine, seem like my mpg's are dropping a little.

 

Oh GAWD....perhaps I should clean up mine too...

 

would running a can of seafoam through every once in a while keep that build up from happening?

 

If running it through the gas tank, no it will run through below the upper intake manifold. If running it through the intake it won't hurt but it's not going to stop it from doing that. You just have to clean it up every 50,000- 75,000 miles

 

I cleaned mine out at my 105k service and it looked like that. I just ordered a new gasket since its metal, the gasket will compress permanently. I used carb cleaner and a toothbrush after unbolting the manifold from the engine.
I typically get about 22-23 MPG mixed and easy on the throttle, so your MPG figures are pretty typical I'd say.
Yes, don't overtorque the intake mani bolts. I ended up snapping on off in the block but good thing there was still some thread sticking out. I ended up taking the manifold off and removing the rest of the bolt with pliars.

 

In case anyone is as stupid as me, don't start the car with the EGR plate off like that.

It was actually kind of difficult to clean it out thoroughly. Plan on using at least half a bottle of brake clean.

 

How do you guys clean the port between the egr and manifold?

 

I think I used about 2 1/2 cans lol I didn't have a brush with me though so I only had the pressure of the fluid coming out to clean the manifold.

 

Anyone care to explain how clogged EGR ports can decrease fuel economy?

 

Did you notice any improvement in performance/MPG after cleaning out the carbon build up?

 

No, you won't get better fuel economy or improved performance (at least not measurable).

The car will just run better with a smoother idle. The engine is designed to have a bit of the exhaust gas recycle back into the intake. Without that, it can make the engine run a little rough.

 

Trust me You would see performance improvement at least response.

 

Ehh, for strict performance usage, the best option would be to block off the EGR and replace the flow with fresh air. That doesn't produce any significant gains, so there really isn't much performance to gain anyways.