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YACT: EGR Valve (was Service engine light)

T

tomstevens26

Senior member
Wife just called saying that the service engine light came on. 98 Lumina, 116K miles. Any ideas what things would set this off? She's going to stop at Autozone so they can hook it up and give her the error code or whatever it's called, but I figured I'd check here and see what all could be involved. I just love car problems. 🙁 I'm sure whatever it is will cost an arm and a leg to fix.

Tom
 
there are hundreds of possible codes that could be set. no one on here will be able to tell you what it is.

pray that the gas cap is loose.
 
yeah, someone else I talked to mentioned the gas cap maybe being loose. Oh well. I figure anything associated with that light will probably hurt the wallet. The wife has been hankering for a new car for a couple of months....this just might help her get it.
 
Originally posted by: tomstevens26
yeah, someone else I talked to mentioned the gas cap maybe being loose. Oh well. I figure anything associated with that light will probably hurt the wallet. The wife has been hankering for a new car for a couple of months....this just might help her get it.
Click to expand...
If the car is not having any noticeable problems (noises, smoke, running bad, exploding into a fireball, etc.) then it's *usually* an emissions component or sensor that will trigger the light. Of course, diagnosing a problem with no other info than a CEL over the internet is the mother of all shots in the dark. But it'd be silly to buy a new car because a $20 O2 sensor went bad.
 
Originally posted by: Heisenberg
Originally posted by: tomstevens26
yeah, someone else I talked to mentioned the gas cap maybe being loose. Oh well. I figure anything associated with that light will probably hurt the wallet. The wife has been hankering for a new car for a couple of months....this just might help her get it.
Click to expand...
If the car is not having any noticeable problems (noises, smoke, running bad, exploding into a fireball, etc.) then it's *usually* an emissions component or sensor that will trigger the light. Of course, diagnosing a problem with no other info than a CEL over the internet is the mother of all shots in the dark. But it'd be silly to buy a new car because a $20 O2 sensor went bad.
Click to expand...

except that heated O2 sensors are way more than $20..
 
Originally posted by: Heisenberg
Originally posted by: tomstevens26
yeah, someone else I talked to mentioned the gas cap maybe being loose. Oh well. I figure anything associated with that light will probably hurt the wallet. The wife has been hankering for a new car for a couple of months....this just might help her get it.
Click to expand...
If the car is not having any noticeable problems (noises, smoke, running bad, exploding into a fireball, etc.) then it's *usually* an emissions component or sensor that will trigger the light. Of course, diagnosing a problem with no other info than a CEL over the internet is the mother of all shots in the dark. But it'd be silly to buy a new car because a $20 O2 sensor went bad.
Click to expand...


Good call Heisenberg! You guess right....it is an emissions part. The code returned indicates that it is an EGR valve. Autozone had the part in stock.... $154.99. Anyone know a ballpark figure on installation costs? I found an article on a 97 Lumina w/ the 3.1 engine, which is the same engine in my wifes 98, some I'm assuming it'll be the same thing. The article said it's an easy part to install and is usually held on by two bolts, but it's best to have a technician or experienced friend do it since it's electronic.

Tom
 
Originally posted by: tomstevens26
Good call Heisenberg! You guess right....it is an emissions part. The code returned indicates that it is an EGR valve. Autozone had the part in stock.... $154.99. Anyone know a ballpark figure on installation costs? I found an article on a 97 Lumina w/ the 3.1 engine, which is the same engine in my wifes 98, some I'm assuming it'll be the same thing. The article said it's an easy part to install and is usually held on by two bolts, but it's best to have a technician or experienced friend do it since it's electronic.

Tom
Click to expand...
Actually installing the part will be pretty easy. Unplug the vacuum lines, pull the old one off, replace gasket, put new one on, reconnect lines. The hard part will most likely getting to it. The EGR valve goes on the intake manifold, and so is usually buried under the intake. I'm not familiar with the 3.1, so I could be wrong though. It really depends on how comfortable you are pulling parts on your motor as to how hard it will be.
 
Originally posted by: Heisenberg
Originally posted by: tomstevens26
Good call Heisenberg! You guess right....it is an emissions part. The code returned indicates that it is an EGR valve. Autozone had the part in stock.... $154.99. Anyone know a ballpark figure on installation costs? I found an article on a 97 Lumina w/ the 3.1 engine, which is the same engine in my wifes 98, some I'm assuming it'll be the same thing. The article said it's an easy part to install and is usually held on by two bolts, but it's best to have a technician or experienced friend do it since it's electronic.

Tom
Click to expand...
Actually installing the part will be pretty easy. Unplug the vacuum lines, pull the old one off, replace gasket, put new one on, reconnect lines. The hard part will most likely getting to it. The EGR valve goes on the intake manifold, and so is usually buried under the intake. I'm not familiar with the 3.1, so I could be wrong though. It really depends on how comfortable you are pulling parts on your motor as to how hard it will be.
Click to expand...

there will be wiring too.
 
Okay, I looked at the service manual for a 98 Lumina. The EGR valve is totally controlled by the PCM so no vacuum lines, and just one electrical connector. The valve is toward the back of the motor, but isn't blocked by anything, so it should be fairly easy to replace.
 
should be a simple electrically operated solenoid, any electronics should be in the ECU.

BTW, they are known for sticking, so if you are low on cash and/or don't mind if the problem comes back and/or don't mind the extra grunt work and/or have a second car to drive ..

hm that's a lot of and/or

.. anyway, you may want to see if the solenoid in the old one is stuck .. they can get pretty gummed up with carbon, and you might be able to clean it off with some solvent (carb cleaner) and have it work fine. If you do that, just be sure the solvent doesn't wash down into the solenoid - maybe use qtips and rag.

Disclaimer: my knowledge of the subject only goes as far as '95 (OBDI)
 
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