98 4X4 3.0 p0401 Insufficient EGR Flow

[nmoore]

Hi i have a 98 ford ranger 4x4 3.0 Here lately i was driving downthe road and the check engine light came on. I was close to advance so i swung on by and got them to read the code. They told me it was Insufficient EGR Flow. My struck will act like it isnt getting any gas while your pulling a hill but it only does this after 80mph. It also acts the same while i am driving about 40-45 mph and barely giving it any gas. It sorta lunges back and forth. I have recently put two different fuel filters in since a month and a hlaf ago. I also get really poor gas milage. Other than this it doesnt seem to act up. The check engin light stays on from theminutei start it up to i get were i am going and shut it down. Can anyone pin point what seems to be more likely the case. And how i might be able to check the EGR Valve? All help would be greatly appreciated. Thank You

[allison 12]

Most of the time the EGR tube becomes blocked with carbon, it has two small tubes coming off of the larger tube that actually attaches to the valve itself. You might be able too clean them out But they are pretty small. Also have you changed the DPFE Sensor? This could also be a problem.

[jonmark1985]

Check the vacuum line to the EGR valve before you replace the DPFE sensor. Also check the diaphram for the EGR valve isn't tore. You can do this by applying pressure to the EGR valve, and watching how long the valve stays open. It should hold open until you let air into it. If it closes on its own quickly then the diaphram is probably leaking.

[nmoore]

i have now changed theEGR pressure sensor and the check engine light went off but the proublem seems to still remain. Once i get up to 80 mph going up hill it will still lack power but not as bad. Any solutions?

[RonAyers]

I got a 98 ford ranger 3.0 4by4..same thing happend to mine and i talked to several mechs over a year and a half period and nobody could give me any good advice. I finally spoke to a Ford mechanic of 46 years and he solved my prob in 2 mins!!! What you have to do is take the EGR valve off [two bolts and a gasket and the main nut thats connected to the pipe leading to the manifold]. Once thats removed you take the throtle body off [4 bolts conecting it to the upper intake]. You also may need to remove the protective shroud that is covering the cables to the gas peddle on the throtle body [two bolts in the top of the upper intake]. Once all thats removed you should be able to see a small hole to the bottom right on the inside of the main intake hole in the upper intake [dime sized]. That hole leads to the EGR valve. if you see any gunk or build up in that hole [if its not clean] take a plastic coat hanger, cut straight of course, and tape a piece of rag on the end of it. Swab out that hole with intake or throtle body cleaner until its spotless. This is whats causing the restricted flow reading, cause once the gas peddle is on the floor while you're driving the gases build up enough to open the EGR diaphram and are supposed to recirculate back up to the upper intake. If this hole is stopped up that cannot happen, therefore you have an extreme loss of power. MAKE SURE THAT YOUR DPFE SENSOR IS GOOD AND YOUR EGR VALVE CAN HOLD SUCTION, PROVING THAT THE DIAPHRAM IS NOT SLIT OR DAMAGED. To test this take a small screwdriver and press in the bottom of the EGR valve untill its completely compressed then hold your finger over the top hole and if the valve holds compressed and does not drop then it is good, and you have suction. Put everything back together and enjoy!!!


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