EGR
EGR systems (Exhaust Gas Recirculation / Emission Gas Recirculation) are used since the 70s to reduce the emission of harmful NOx (nitrogen oxide) from both ignition engines (petrol, LPG, ethanol) and auto-ignition engines (diesel).
These systems direct a portion of the exhaust gases into the combustion chamber(s), hereby reducing the oxygen levels. This lowers the combustion temperature, having a beneficial effect on NOx emission, which is primarily formed at high combustion temperatures.
The advantages of a modern EGR system
- Lower combustion temperature: less NOx
- Higher pressure in the inlet channel: improved filling of the combustion chamber
- Engine operating temperature is reached faster and maintained better
Potential disadvantages of EGR application
- Power loss
- Contamination of the inlet channel
- Increase in fuel consumption
Symptoms of a malfunctioning EGR system
- Engine doesn't run smoothly and holds back
- Air intake flow significantly reduced
- Faulty EGR valve: power loss at full load, poor hot start and troubled idling
- Higher maintenance costs due to (secondary) defects and contamination
- Clogged and ultimately defect Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF)
- Problems with the swirl valves (diesel engines)
Commonly applied solutions
- Cleaning the EGR system
- Replace parts (Often costly and it can't be guaranteed that the problems won't reoccur)
- Disable and/or remove the EGR system (Adjust software/engine-electronics, combined with hardware removal as needed)
- Combination (s) of the above
KCPerformance can troubleshoot EGR-systems for you. This starts with precise diagnostics; We are equipped with the tools to read error-codes from all brands, supplemented by our extensive practical experience.