P1461:could I clean the EGR? How? (3.0 V6 HDI 271K km)

[rijndael]

Dear all,

First of all, sorry if this topic has been already discussed (I have not find anything directly related to my issue and question).

My car is the 3.0 V6 Hdi DT20C.
Recently the fault code P2173 Mixer butterfly.
In the garage unmounted and cleaned the air dose and adyancents. Then, mounted again and performed the "learning".
Ok. Everything seemed to be OK.

But after 2 weeks, now I have two fault codes:
Same P2173 and now also the P1461 EGR valve 1 (passanger compartment side). Drift from the initialisation of the lower limit (valve closed).

OK. The question is simple: any way to solve these problems just cleaning (without replacing any parts)?

Thank you all!
Br,
J.

[GiveMeABreak]

Fault Code:	P2173
Description of Fault:	Air mixer /Butterfly: Position incorrect in relation to the requirement (Open too far). The measured air flow is greater than the setting for a defined time: Possibility 1 : Difference of 7 % for 30 seconds Possibility 2 : Difference of 10 % for 25 seconds Possibility 3 : Difference of 30 % for 15 seconds Possibility 4 : Difference of 50 % for 10 seconds Possibility 5 : Difference of 60 % for 8 seconds Possibility 6 : Difference of 70 % for 7 seconds
Conditions for Fault to clear:	Disappearance of the fault code, 10 seconds after the return to normal operation
Downgrade Modes whilst Fault is active:	Deactivation of the function EGR Switching on of the warning lamp and/or warning message: MIL
Symptoms:	Jerking/stalling Lack of power Starting problem
Suspect Areas:	Air mixer Electrical harness

Fault Code:	P1461
Description of Fault:	EGR valve (Passenger compartment side) : EGR valve programming. Drift from the initialisation of the lower limit (valve closed). Drift by more than 10 % from the position of the EGR valve relative to that first initialised (The fault appears immediately after detection). Context of appearance of the fault code: During the engine ECU sleep phase.
Conditions for Fault to clear:	At the first initialisation within the limit of the authorised threshold
Downgrade Modes whilst Fault is active:	-
Symptoms:	Slightly higher fuel consumption Noise Lack of power
Suspect Areas:	Electrical harness EGR valve (Passenger compartment side)

[rijndael]

Hi Marc, and thank you as usual for your involvement and information provided.

My question is still on the table:

Any way to solve these problems just cleaning (without replacing any parts)?

(and, if so, how to do it?)

Thank you!
Br
J.

[MGmike]

My question is still on the table:

Any way to solve these problems just cleaning (without replacing any parts)?

(and, if so, how to do it?)

Thank you!
Br
J.

The EGR will need to be removed to clean it effectively. Given the time taken to do so you might as well replace it as cleaning is not 100% guaranteed to last more than a few months.

Sorry, can't comment on the air mixer

[rijndael]

Hi,

Thank you for the answers.

What I can't fully understand is why a good cleaning of the EGR will not work as a new spare part would do.

I mean, cleaning would last few months and new EGR would last years ¿?

Thank you!
J.

[Rp0thejester]

If you want to clean it in situ you could do it with EGR cleaner. If you're going to remove it and clean it then you might as well just fit a new EGR