The EGR valve is an important component of your car’s engine management system, as it helps control emissions. The valve is responsible for reducing harmful oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and improving the quality of your exhaust gases by recirculating finely metered quantities of exhaust into your intake manifold, where it mixes with cooled air to help reduce combustion chamber temperatures.
It also helps reduce your vehicle’s fuel consumption by redistributing excess gas into the cylinders, thereby diluting the air/fuel mixture, which in turn burns slower and more efficiently than it would without this control. In addition to its many benefits for the environment, it helps your car meet strict emissions regulations, so it’s worth taking good care of this key component of your Audi’s engine.
How Does the EGR Valve Work?
Exhaust gas recirculation, or EGR, is a feature that can reduce the production of NOx gases by up to 70%. This is because the recirculated exhaust gas, which contains less oxygen than air entering the engine, helps to lower the combustion temperature of your engine’s cylinders. This means that your vehicle produces far fewer harmful NOx emissions, which can have negative effects on the environment and human health.
To keep your EGR valve working properly, you should regularly check and clean it as needed. This will prevent carbon deposits from forming on the valve, which can make it difficult to function correctly.
Your car’s owner’s manual will have instructions on how to clean the evr valve. Using acid-resistant gloves, safety glasses and a brush, scrub the valve until all carbon deposits have been removed. You can then wipe it down with a damp cloth. If you find that your valve is still dirty, you can purchase an EGR valve cleaner and use it to remove any remaining deposits.
When you’re cleaning the EGR valve, it’s a good idea to do so when the engine is cold or at idle. Once the engine is warm, a faulty EGR valve can cause a vacuum leak that can lead to a loss of engine power.
A faulty EGR valve can also cause your check engine light to come on, which will alert you to the problem. If you notice the check engine light coming on, it’s probably time for your EGR valve to be replaced.
What Are the Signs of an EGR Valves Failure?
When your EGR valve is faulty, you might notice that your car has poor power and that you need to refill the gas tank more often than usual. You might also hear engine knocking sounds or feel a loss of performance when you step on the gas pedal.
Other signs that your EGR valve is faulty include a smoky smell from the vents when you start the car or if the engine starts to miss firing. This could be because of a faulty EGR valve or because of a problem with the intake system.
Having a faulty EGR valve can also lead to your vehicle failing an emissions test. In these cases, you should seek out a professional technician that can replace your EGR valve and ensure that your emissions are not compromised.