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California smog check and EGR system?

Tiny
HELLSAFRAID
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 FORD RANGER
  • 2.3L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 150,000 MILES
Hello,

On the day of my smog check as usual every other year, I burn through a tank of gas and an additive by the name of "guaranteed to pass" My ranger in years past doesn't travel far just a bunch of stop and start short trips and a mechanic told me years back that a lot of short trips would allow carbon to build up and this additive would help me clear out the pipes before testing and be able to pass or the company will pay you double what you paid for the additive if you do not pass, and I have always passed, not sure if it is or is not helping but the one time I didn't do it, it wouldn't pass! (Murphy's law?) Anyway, I burn through 1/2 or less of a tank on the day of the smog check so in the morning I started it up and before I got out of the driveway a "check engine" light lit up and went out and I let out a grouping of colorful metaphors! I went and hit the highway and got about 20 miles and on comes the light again! I pulled off the highway at a gas station and called off the smog check. Waited for a Bro to show as he was following me home, he showed, I started it up and hit the highway. No light until nearing my turn off (about 20 miles) light comes back on. After doing a KOEO test I got a code 332. Took the EGR valve off and cleaned it real good put it back on (had taken the battery cable (neg.) Off) fired it up let it warm up for a good 20-25 mins. Went back in it and the light was on. Checked for codes and didn't get #332 but did get# 335
The EGR valve might be original, and it was nasty it took a lot of elbow grease to clean, and the two mounting bolts felt like they were welded on! What I did notice was the intake manifold where the EGR valve bolted up looked like there was a valve. I haven't found anything about a valve in that area so now I'm thinking it might be clogged? My edgumacation LOL! As far as vehicles. Get ready to laugh! Is utube a good friend who is a retired mechanic (aka sees my hood up won't even look at me!) And to top it off with. A ranger Haynes manual. What I've been looking for that has yet to be found is a diagram of my EGR system as so I can disassemble and clean it so that I don't get any of this nasty stuff into the engine. I'm going over to O'Rielys to see if they have a vacuum pump and then I'm halting until I hear from you. I look forward to your response and I thank you in advance.
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Thursday, January 19th, 2023 AT 3:14 PM

17 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

The idea that the EGR valve was extremely dirty certainly could indicate the intake is the same. It isn't uncommon for a restriction.

If I have to clean out the intake, (don't laugh), I will have a shop vac running and drawing the dirt out as I loosen it with a scraper or whatever is needed.

Now, please keep in mind that the EGR may be faulty as well. It opens or closes based on an engine vacuum supply. So, confirm the vacuum supply hose to the valve is good and not cracked, dry rotted, pinched, or disconnected.

Based on the codes you have; I am going to focus on the 332 which indicates a restricted flow. That is based on your description. The other code, 335, is related to the EGR pressure sensor voltage.

So, here is what I suggest. Take a look through the directions below. They are the diagnostics specific to code 332. If the diagnostics need to go further based on what is provided, let me know.

Let me know what you find.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.
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Thursday, January 19th, 2023 AT 7:18 PM
Tiny
HELLSAFRAID
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Joe,

Would the attached be a good example of my EGR system?
With the ranger running and at running temperature. If I was to apply vacuum to the EGR valve and if there is no change or it does not run rough, is that a indication that the EGR system has no or very little flow?
David
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Friday, January 20th, 2023 AT 2:48 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

If you apply a vacuum, you are opening the pintle valve on the EGR and it should affect how it runs. If there is no change and the EGR is good, then you have things plugged up.

Also, the pic appears to be accurate.

Let me know if I can help.

Take care,

Joe
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Friday, January 20th, 2023 AT 8:38 PM
Tiny
HELLSAFRAID
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Hello Joe,
please excuse me being MIA. Life "never a dull moment!" Anyway, I'm back on the Ranger EGR issue I have taken the EGR valve out and cleaned it along with the throttle body, unfortunately I could not get the EGR pipe or tube off to clean it. I thought about cleaning it in place, I had taken about 3 1/2 feet of a plumber's snake went into my gun cleaning junk drawer and grabbed a bore brush and a tacit at the end of the snake and after I got it all together. I thought, maybe dropping all the debris into the exhaust system, catalytic converter was not such a good idea, what do you think? I have a feeling I'm going to have to remove that to pass smog, but for now, I went to the DMV and got 2 one day driving passes, which I'm getting ready to use one to drive around in hopes I took care of the problem, not a lot of confidence! The EGR tube looked open, but was definitely caked up on the sides, I tried to get to the nut down at around the exhaust manifold, but could not get any angle and or room to break that lose I went and bought a 1 1/8" wrench that would not work as far as room tried a crescent wrench actually two crescent wrenches 1 having a shorter handle, adjustable pliers, nothing would work. I tried attacking it from the top, from under the truck and even through the fender well! Well, I'm going to go drive the hell out of it in hopes of not to get a "check engine" light. We will see!
I will let you know how it goes. Can I snake the EGR tube in place and not hurt the Cadillac converter or anything else?
I look forward to your response and I thank you in advance.
Sincerely, David
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Tuesday, March 7th, 2023 AT 11:09 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

I believe the intake manifold needs to be removed to access the EGR tube. As far as cleaning it on the vehicle, it should be okay, but you don't want to get too much stuck in the converter,

Let me know how it's running and if the issue returns.
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Tuesday, March 7th, 2023 AT 5:43 PM
Tiny
HELLSAFRAID
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Hello, it ran good yesterday no warning light came on! Actually ran really good, which scares the heck out of me! I've got a smog check on this coming Monday all I have to do now is talk the planets into aligning and try to keep Murphy's attention on somebody else and I think it just might pass! LOL! I will keep you informed, David
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Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 AT 1:58 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

I needed that laugh. Thanks. Regardless, I hope all goes well. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

Take care,

Joe
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Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 AT 7:08 PM
Tiny
HELLSAFRAID
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Well, I might have celebrated a touchdown before I reached the in zone! Coming back home from a very short store run my dash started in on me via dummy light flashing! My appt. Is 11:00 am and there is no rain in the forecast for tonight, so I am going to push forward (till it gets cold probably). Apparently, I angered the EGR Gods because the EGR again is the solo complaint again with #.
1. (332) insufficient EGR flow detected
2.(335) pressure feedback EGR(PFE) sensor or EGR pressure transducer (EPT) -signal voltage higher or lower than expected.
335 is new.
I'm going back outside to at least identify the transducer and the pressure feedback!
And 332 I'm thinking it has to be that EGR tube, so I'll snake that in hopes of getting the code gone.
Thank you very much for the support and patience! David
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Sunday, March 12th, 2023 AT 9:25 PM
Tiny
HELLSAFRAID
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Hello, I see I stated that the 335 code was new. Which isn't true, I did not finish that sentence because I was laughing to hard after reading a question I had asked of you earlier "Can I snake the EGR tube in place and not hurt the Cadillac converter or anything else?" Where I implied I could take a GMC product and convert it (to what I don't have a answer for that yet!) See what happens when I'm left unsupervised! LOL! CATALYTIC CONVERTER . . I was not aware I had a Cadillac!
I won't blame you if you block me! LOL!
Do you have any code 335 info by chance?
Thank you much for the support and patience, David
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Monday, March 13th, 2023 AT 10:43 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Dave,

I would never block you. LOL, I do have information related to the code. If you look at pic 1 below, it provides the definition for a 335.

The remaining pics are the start of the diagnostics specific to this code. Take a look through them and let me know if you are comfortable performing them. If you do, let me know the results so I know which direction to go.

Take care,

Joe
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Monday, March 13th, 2023 AT 8:32 PM
Tiny
HELLSAFRAID
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Hello Joe,
Attached is probably more evidence that you do not have to worry about me being able to steal your job anytime soon!(More like this century)
A; is "A" pic the PFE or the EPT? It had 2 rubber hoses that connected it to the EGR tube down where the tube went into the exhaust manifold and was powered. It was blocked when I tried to look through it but when I pushed a skewer through it, it was a very thin blockage, although enough to block light.

Just curious what this "B" was (Haynes manual has been helpful at times, like on windy days it keeps other info from blowing down the street! But most of the time it keeps reminding me that I should have gotten a manual specific to California 1994!)

C; The part # Due to wear and tear on my eyes and on the component
this is what I came up with

P1AP-9J460-AA
OR
F1AP -9J460-AA
I look forward to your response and thanks again, David
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Thursday, March 16th, 2023 AT 1:16 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

Pic A is the PFE. See pic 1. Letter B is the idle air control valve (IAC). See pic 2 Letter C has me lost as well. Where is it located? Is that an electrical connector on the right? If you follow the vacuum hose, where does it go?

Let me know.

Joe
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Thursday, March 16th, 2023 AT 7:17 PM
Tiny
HELLSAFRAID
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Joe,
"C" is just a close up of "A". The PFE has two hoses and one had a thin blockage to where I couldn't see light through it but there was no resistance when I pushed a skewer through it the second hose had no blockage what so ever but was newer and out of a different material and falling apart! So I fixed it the right way . Duct tape and bailing wire and 2 zip ties (no I did not do that I ran over to orielys and got a reaming there for what they charge they must of sold me a gold braided hose!) Of course I'm hoping it was that thin blockage but it sure did not feel like much at all.
Tomorrow I will drive it to the DMV to get more one day passes (2)I have tried for more passes per visit but they will only give 2 at a time So I will drive the 40 mile trip to get them so I can drive it sat and sun and that should be enough time to find out if that resolved it or not? Should I clear the codes first before I drive it?
As always, much appreciated! David
pic 1 this guy decided he could get race done without his boat! Shoe flying behind him! Amazing pic!
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Thursday, March 16th, 2023 AT 10:03 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Wow! That is a crazy pic. I'm glad I'm not him. LOL Also, the duct tape, baling wire, and zip ties sound like a great idea. I've seen it done before. LOL

As far as the check engine light, yes, I would reset the code to see if it returns.

Let me know how the trip works out for you.

Take care,

Joe
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Friday, March 17th, 2023 AT 7:30 PM
Tiny
HELLSAFRAID
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Joe,

As you have probably guessed by the celebration, I put into typing your name. My awesome truck (just in case it is listening in LOL!) Passed on Friday evening! I guaranteed it Thursday night to some good friends of mine that one way or another the truck would pass the next day. I then explained to the truck the same but with a little added, I mentioned that if I had to cancel the 5th smog appointment that it would be taken outback and put out of its misery. So, it liked the idea of passing at the smog shop vs. Passing in the backyard! So, between that and somebody pointed out to me I only had 8 planets instead of 9 to align it all came together! All BS aside, I very much appreciate your time, knowledge and patience! Money is tight right now, when you don't have it, it really cuts down on "throwing parts at it" and "trial and error" But you and this service came through for me, that to me is beyond awesome!
Sincerely, David
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Monday, March 27th, 2023 AT 2:34 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi Dave, thanks for the laugh. I needed it. Interestingly, I've said the similar things. LOL

Regardless, I'm glad to know it passed, and thank you for the update.

Please feel free to come back anytime in the future if you have questions. You and the Ranger are always welcome.

Take good care of yourself.

Joe
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Tuesday, March 28th, 2023 AT 7:12 PM

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