Cleaning out the EGR mess

This is the place for posts that don't fit into any other category.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
User avatar
spider
Posts: 3949
Joined: 05 Jan 2010, 14:28
Location: Derby.
My Cars: Soon, I hope...
x 77
Contact:

Cleaning out the EGR mess

Post by spider »

Andy wondered what chemicals were recommended with cleaning the nasty mess out of inlet manifolds caused by EGR valves.

Apart from a stiff brush (a toilet brush (new!) works well) however to loosen initially it seems difficult.

I've tried a few things including just red hot water and with some washing powder in too. That did work quite well to a point.

Tried usual aersol brake cleaner, OK for loose stuff and general marks but not for the crusted bits.

I've also tried engine flush, that did a reasonable job when left for a few hours but there's always some left and it would be too expensive to have enough to fill a bowl with the stuff.

Thought about petrol but apart from the volatility and fire hazard its likely to evaporate too quickly. I don't fancy an open bowl of fuel sat on my shed floor somehow. Currently manifold is having a rest in a bowl of hot water with some washing up liquid in it. Bearing in mind you cannot easily reach all the internal passages with brush although you can see them.

Considered bits falling off later ( ! ) although I've got about 95% of it off anyway.
Andy.

91 205D-Turbo, gone but still missed
02 106D, TUD5B, gone but not really missed apart from the MPG
User avatar
myglaren
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 25366
Joined: 02 Mar 2008, 13:30
Location: Washington
My Cars: Mazda 6
Ooops.
Previously:
2009 Honda Civic :(
C5, C5, Xantia, BX, GS, Visa.
R4, R11TXE, R14, R30TX
x 4888

Re: Cleaning out the EGR mess

Post by myglaren »

Someone did mention a dedicated EGR cleaning spray that seemed to do the trick. Wynns, IIRC.
rory_perrett
Posts: 715
Joined: 05 Nov 2001, 19:18
Location: Leeds, Yorkshire
My Cars: Xantia Exclusive 110Hdi Estate 1999
x 1

Re: Cleaning out the EGR mess

Post by rory_perrett »

Mr Muscle oven cleaner works well, the stuff that you spray on and it foams up. Don't leave it on too long and make sure it is well washed off as it can attack aluminium components.
User avatar
CitroJim
A very naughty boy
Posts: 49526
Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
Location: Paggers
My Cars: Bluebell the AX, Polly the C3 Picasso, Pix the Nissan Pixo, Propel the duathlon bike, TCR Pro the road bike and Fuji the TT bike...
x 6160
Contact:

Re: Cleaning out the EGR mess

Post by CitroJim »

Oxyacetylene....

You think I'm joking don't you...

Used to use that method with a rosebud for decoking racing kart exhausts years ago....
Jim

Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
User avatar
old'uns
Posts: 558
Joined: 06 Mar 2010, 20:21
Location: Cannock / 72800 sarthe
My Cars: '02 C5 - gone
'09 X7 - gone
CMax - X7 replacement - gone
Acadiane - lost to a V5c applicant
'06 C5 VTR auto est
'90 Honda Beat
'73 ST70 Dax
'75 ST Dax - 120 powered
x 127

Re: Cleaning out the EGR mess

Post by old'uns »

used to be Caustic Soda for me on the 'fizzy' expansion chamber, spud in end, stand upright and fill.......and stand well back :shock:

Can you even still get Caustic Soda nowadays?
currently '06 C5 2.0 HDi auto estate Tip run and France trekker - well should be!! occupied currently by '10 Superb DSG 170 elegance- whistles and bells that work
User avatar
spider
Posts: 3949
Joined: 05 Jan 2010, 14:28
Location: Derby.
My Cars: Soon, I hope...
x 77
Contact:

Re: Cleaning out the EGR mess

Post by spider »

Tried a few more things including bleach. To be honest a "no cost" option washing powder does work reasonably well although you have to change it a few times.

I think caustic soda can be obtained from a good chemist if you ask nicely, although it must be about 10 years the last time I wanted some.
Andy.

91 205D-Turbo, gone but still missed
02 106D, TUD5B, gone but not really missed apart from the MPG
User avatar
Xaccers
Posts: 7654
Joined: 07 Feb 2007, 23:46
Location: Milling around Milton Keynes
My Cars:
x 184

Re: Cleaning out the EGR mess

Post by Xaccers »

CitroJim wrote:Oxyacetylene....

You think I'm joking don't you...

Used to use that method with a rosebud for decoking racing kart exhausts years ago....
Who would have thought Jim was a red neck at heart?

1.9TD+ SX Xantia Estate (Cassy) running on 100% veg
1.9TD SX Xantia Hatchback (Jenny) running on 100% veg for sale
Laguna II 2.0dCi Privilege (Monty)

DIY sphere tool
User avatar
spider
Posts: 3949
Joined: 05 Jan 2010, 14:28
Location: Derby.
My Cars: Soon, I hope...
x 77
Contact:

Re: Cleaning out the EGR mess

Post by spider »

Regarding Oxyacetylene, I do remember with two stroke bike exhausts years ago taking the 'end fitting' out and soaking it a small metal tub of petrol (probably half a pint) then burning it. After that knocking it with a hammer would remove most of the gunk.

The 'washing powder' does seem to be working well, although I'm aware of its content causing corrosion (I think it may be salt not sure) a good wash in water after may suffice though.

Perhaps on my scrapyard visit next week (if I can) I'll be able to find an earlier non-EGR inlet which would save this trouble. We'll see. TUD5's without EGR are quite rare, only some AX's and M plate 106's it seems are devoid of them. Already have a 1500 non EGR exhaust manifold although I may just blank my existing one depending on other factors as there's a slight blow from it. May be prudent (have new gasket) to change it anyway if I need to change the manifold gasket.
Andy.

91 205D-Turbo, gone but still missed
02 106D, TUD5B, gone but not really missed apart from the MPG
bxzx16v
Posts: 1696
Joined: 29 May 2011, 22:11
Location: Sheffield
My Cars: Past Frenchies , 4xBx16v,1xBxGti,1xBxTzd,2xZx Volcanes,1xZx reflex,1xPug 405mi16, 3x Xantia 1.9td's,1x Xantia activa, 2x Renault 25 V6 turbo, 1 Zx16v ,1 Pug 406 V6 coupe ,1x C8 , 1x Berlingo van , 1x Xanti 2.1td , 1x Renault Laguna 3
x 35

Re: Cleaning out the EGR mess

Post by bxzx16v »

Mines going to get blanked off shortly on the doblo .

Mark
2009 Landrover Freelander 2 TD4se (killed an Audi) , sadly now gone .
2012 Landrover Freelander 2 SD4 AUTO Love it . Now gone .
2014 Ford Bmax 1.0 Ecoboost Zetec . Fantastic little machine .Gone now.
2014 Ford Focus 2.0 Tdci Zetec S with the French heart.
User avatar
CitroJim
A very naughty boy
Posts: 49526
Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
Location: Paggers
My Cars: Bluebell the AX, Polly the C3 Picasso, Pix the Nissan Pixo, Propel the duathlon bike, TCR Pro the road bike and Fuji the TT bike...
x 6160
Contact:

Re: Cleaning out the EGR mess

Post by CitroJim »

Xac wrote: Who would have thought Jim was a red neck at heart?
:lol: :lol: :lol: That old boy in the video is just being a girl using propane... Real men use oxy...
old'uns wrote: Can you even still get Caustic Soda nowadays?
Yep, easily. Boots still flog it for cleaning drains and also ironmongers and some pound shops stock it - again as drain cleaner...

It does indeed work for decoking but be careful as it can also eat metal. It needs to be very well rinsed afterwards.

I don't like it because of it's dangerous old stuff. I feel much safer with fire personally...
Jim

Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
User avatar
myglaren
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 25366
Joined: 02 Mar 2008, 13:30
Location: Washington
My Cars: Mazda 6
Ooops.
Previously:
2009 Honda Civic :(
C5, C5, Xantia, BX, GS, Visa.
R4, R11TXE, R14, R30TX
x 4888

Re: Cleaning out the EGR mess

Post by myglaren »

Just a closet pyromaniac then Jim? :twisted:
User avatar
CitroJim
A very naughty boy
Posts: 49526
Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
Location: Paggers
My Cars: Bluebell the AX, Polly the C3 Picasso, Pix the Nissan Pixo, Propel the duathlon bike, TCR Pro the road bike and Fuji the TT bike...
x 6160
Contact:

Re: Cleaning out the EGR mess

Post by CitroJim »

myglaren wrote:Just a closet pyromaniac then Jim? :twisted:
Oh yes 8-)

I love explosions too :wink:
Jim

Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Hell Razor5543
Donor 2023
Posts: 13727
Joined: 01 Apr 2012, 09:47
Location: Reading
My Cars: C5 Mk2 VTX+ estate.
x 2993

Re: Cleaning out the EGR mess

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

Well Jim, if you like explosions then this should be fun;

" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
James
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR

C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
User avatar
CitroJim
A very naughty boy
Posts: 49526
Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
Location: Paggers
My Cars: Bluebell the AX, Polly the C3 Picasso, Pix the Nissan Pixo, Propel the duathlon bike, TCR Pro the road bike and Fuji the TT bike...
x 6160
Contact:

Re: Cleaning out the EGR mess

Post by CitroJim »

Ahh, Thermite 8-) :P Lovely stuff!

That's a jolly interesting video James, thanks for posting it up!
Jim

Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
User avatar
myglaren
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 25366
Joined: 02 Mar 2008, 13:30
Location: Washington
My Cars: Mazda 6
Ooops.
Previously:
2009 Honda Civic :(
C5, C5, Xantia, BX, GS, Visa.
R4, R11TXE, R14, R30TX
x 4888

Re: Cleaning out the EGR mess

Post by myglaren »

Somewhere on YouTube is a fairly spectacular video of someone burning a NEXT computer case made of magnesium.
Post Reply