Unplug EGR Valve

I am sorry if you have already updated In other threads, I am new to the group. I have recently purchased a 2010 Prius for very cheap as it was running rough. Me and a friend were messing around with it and found out it runs perfectly fine unplugged and now I found you talking about this. How is your unplug repair holding up after all these years? Thanks!

 

Very interesting read op, so this is around 4 years running with EGR unplugged? how many miles has it been

I'm near finished doing a head gasket on my 2012 V and thinking of leaving it disconnected from the get go

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sounds good to me Paladain55 .. I was thinking about the engine light being on all the time with the valve unplugged and how dangerous it really could be, i think the only real situation to look out for would be the electric water pump failing anything else would be pretty obvious, and when the water pump fails a lot of the time people are not getting a code anyway jus the temperature light comes on so it would be obvious anyway.

I currently have an immaculate clean egr system and manifold, have not driven the car yet as still need to put a few more things back on the engine after head gasket repair and always busy with other stuff, hopefully i get time in the next day or two..

Decision needs to be made about maintaining a functional clean egr (oil burner 300k km engine with virtually no service history) vs disconnect and never think about it again

 

Hey Paladain .. have you capped the manifold and left the pcv end open to atmosphere?

 

How do you unplug the EGR? I've tried to find you tube videos but they are all about actually removing the part.

It's that the case or is it as simple as pulling a power plug somewhere or removing a fuse?

My car is knocking when I start the car and I'm praying this will fix it.

 

Electrical shutdown - remove the connector from the EGR valve.
Mechanical shutdown - plug the exhaust gas passage through the EGR cooler, EGR valve, intake manifold.

But remember that you will have an engine malfunction lamp that will be constantly on the dashboard.

 

I found the plug! but when I start the car up in the morning it still shakes for a while.

Im guessing its a head gasket problem?

 

If the egr is causing it you will get a P0401 specific to flow at the wrong times or no flow at the right times.

Some continuous rough idles are caused by a sticking open egr valve. Rattles at cold start initially and most engine starts later is most likely a head gasket.

Repeat for emphasis:

Test for egr sticking
Car care Nut Egr video with block tube test

Head Gasket Test
Car Care Nut HG Borescope at 660s

 

Have you removed the connector from the EGR valve?

 

I have, and it worked fine on day one, but I had popped the coolant reservoir lid and I guess doing that removes the rattle on the next cold start.

Day two the rattle was back and worse

question though, does the egr use engine coolant? What happens to that after you unplug it? will it cause a leak?

I did a delivery on a long bumpy driveway so I was going pretty slow, at a point the battery drained and it was trying to charge that while powering the car up that slow driveway.

On the way back I noticed a line of liquid where I had driven, for like 3 miles. But the odd thing is I didnt notice any low levels, coolant, electric coolant, brake fluid and engine oil all looked good. and gas mileage is normal. Now im wondering if that was pouring out from the egr lines?

 

That releases pressure on the coolant system, gives the head gasket a brief reprieve.

 

You still haven't answered the question about the EGR valve connector.
The coolant circulates through the EGR cooler circuit and then into the engine with the radiator.

The EGR valve does not interact with the coolant; it regulates the flow of some of the exhaust gases into the intake manifold.

 

What about the inverter coolant?

 

I unplugged the egr power cord from the egr. but that doesnt seem to be the problem. now im trying to decide to leave it unplugged or plug it back.

Im hoping head gasket sealant will work, I am loosing a bit of coolant sometimes, but very small amount. I think thats my only option since it has to many miles to replace the head gasket to be worth the money. ive read many people tried it and it let them keep driving the car for another year with out problems. one guy pours in a can every month and replaces the water pump every few months.

I plan to get another car, but right now theres nothing good available near by and I dont want to keep renting a car until I can find another option.

 

"Im hoping head gasket sealant will work"

Well, you might as well trash it now. That crap does not work! It will seal EVERY little passage,
except the head gasket. The heater core, radiator, thermostat, coolant pump, and every little
passage in the whole coolant system. A real nightmare to get that crap out of the system.
Most of the time it means replacement expensive parts.

There are some who say it works, but I don't believe them. The evidence
I have seem proves them wrong.

The ONLY way to properly fix it, is to replace it. And make sure the head is not warped.

 

Usually liquid dripping under a car is water condensing from the AC evaporator