Cochism

A couple days ago The car threw a code, P0404. It was idling rough and shuttering every few seconds as well as loosing low end power. After researching the code I took a look at the EGR valve. Upon removing it expecting maybe some carbon blockage I was surprised to find many thin bits of shaved metal sticking out of the valve and sitting in the port leading to it. Anyone have the foggiest where this might have came from? After removing it and a code reset she is running strong as ever.

truonghthe

why not replace the whole unit so you dont have to worry about it? how many thousand miles you have on the car?

mzilvar

iTrader: (3)

no other codes set?

my guess is some of the honeycomb from the catalytic converter ?

Cochism

75K
Like I said I removed the debris and its back to running perfect. Im just curious if anyone else has seen the same thing and where the metal shavings could have come from.

Cochism

I kind of had the same assumption. From the after market pre cats perhaps?

mzilvar

iTrader: (3)

which precats?

If enough of it is removed it should set a cat efficiency code

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

i thought the same

Cochism

Yeah I have seen some stuff around where the Rv6 Pre cats get too hot and start to break down, but have never seen anything about the debris going up to the EGR. I am glad how ever it still functions as it should. mzilvar the precats coming directly off of the engine right before the j pipe

Cochism

mzilvar Some other codes that have come up recently were p0174 0171 0420 0430 all exhaust codes i believe were caused by the EGR being stuck in the half open position, also why car was very hesitant to start.

mzilvar

iTrader: (3)

I was just wondering which manufacturer made them, which version by any chance? I've got the V3 HFPCs on my car, which is why I'm curious.

Maybe there's more debris at the tailpipe?

Could drop the J-pipe and shine a light up the cats to see if the honeycomb has huge holes in it or is missing.

0420 and 0430 are the low efficiency cat codes

I'd keep an eye out for them coming back, I've read about the engine sucking the catalyst material back into the cylinder heads when the honeycomb breaks but never seen it

sockr1

iTrader: (5)

I've had similar issues and it was just a carbon build up rock that kept it open. I was so sad thinking something major was wrong haha, but 5 min later it was fixed thanks to AZ

I've also seen rv6 HFPCs have their core broken down (disintegrated), but haven't heard of it coming back up the exhaust path. The part I saw broken down was on the engine side of the core so not sure if you will see anything when taking off the jpipe. As much as it sucks, you might have to look at the precat from the top (can't remember the angle of the precat or if you can see the core all the way through)

bla8291

How much does something like this cost? My EGR valve was stuck open too, and my mechanic just knocked it on the side and it's been working fine ever since, and this was maybe 3 or 4 months ago. He suggested to replace it either soon or when it fucks up again.

erdoc48

My brother (who owns my 00TL) cleaned the EGR using a wire wheel on a drill- cleaned it up like new and he's never had an issue with it. I'd clean it up instead of replacing it (assuming it works normally after cleaning).

bla8291

That was my thought too. He told me "it's going bad and needs to be replaced soon", but it clearly isn't going bad if it still works fine with the clog cleared out.

erdoc48

If it wasn't working and wasn't clogged with debris, then consider swapping it out- otherwise, clean it and drive on.

I hate cars

From my phone it looks more like metal, not the ceramic substrate but I could be wrong, it's hard to tell from the tiny pictures. There could be metal lining the converters but that would be the first time I've seen converter material make it into the EGR.

I would be concerned with the intake side, there was no debris on the intake side, right? Best case it could be packing from the valve itself if it even uses packing. It might use a regular seal.

Low catalyst efficiency codes along with both banks running lean could definitely be a symptom of the EGR being stuck open.

Did you save the stuff that came out of the EGR? This would be extremely helpful in determining what it is. Aluminum, steel, or ceramic would all tell a story and nearly pinpoint the problem.

No misfire codes ever?

Cochism

Update:
I have had to remove the EGR multiple times to remove the debris. I was at the acura dealership and had there head mechanic take a look at the material. Unfortunately he was baffled and had never run into this problem. I started researching if anyone else has had a problem with Richies V3 HFPC, seem some have had with the core breaking down. Upon further research of precat's I came across some info I was not thrilled to see. http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/foru...u-should-know/ http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...ue-precat.html Not 100% sure if this would relate to our vehicles but if it does it is not a good thing at all.

Cochism

Spoke with Richie and he pointed me in the right direction. Checked out my plugs in the front and 2 where saturated with oil. The oil was making it to the front pre cat and breakin down the material. I pulled the valve cover and had 2 seals blown. Replaced the seals and installed the stock precat so I can send the HFPC back to Richie to have it re-cored.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

glad you found the issue!

I hate cars

That's A problem but it's not THE problem.

Cochism

Yeah me to, just hope i dont have too much of that cat material hanging around in the engine. Replaced all the plugs while I had it apart. Runnin so smooth.

@ I hate cars, Ahhh so what is "THE" problem sir? Do tell