How To Fix a P0401 Due To Clogged EGR Ports On a Ford

[@johnpaulgarrett1]

This video was detail packed from beginning to end: You told us the primary cause of po401, and you saved us alot of time with "open throttle plate and SEE if it's clogged" before taking it apart! And adding vacuum to check for clog and to check EGR function was another huge time saving diag! This info is golden.

[@veramusement]

You did it, thanks!! Clogged as heck, those ports. On my '97 Expedition, the ports were located *directly* over the intake. No way to clean them without removing the entire body of the [whatever you call that aluminum block that fits between the throttle body and the intake manifold]. Broke off my PCV pipe in the process, dangit. But this is gonna clean up great and probably add back a few mpg. Thanks!!

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Right on!

[@alblack3425]

Have Eddie Bauer 2004 Expedition got the dreaded P0401 changed the DPFE Sensor, EGR Valve and cleaned throttle body without removing it with throttle cleaner. Code went away but came back a couple days later. Decided to check the EGR Solenoid with multimeter before diving in to remove throttle from engine for deep clean. Solenoid read good so decided to start taking things apart...AN THERE IT WAS not the two hooded green hose with one going to the EGR valve but the other one had that crappy spongy rubber like material Ford used as an elbow to connect the hose from the EGR solenoid had fallen apart an had holes in it....Problem solved FYI people don't waste time like me check all hoses in the EMS system not just the unit throwing a code.

[@jiujitsuforall8627]

I stumbled upon your video searching for solutions to my '00 Expy's P0401 TC. I appreciate your low-key method of instruction and helpful tips! Thank you, sir!

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Your very welcome!

[@zaynemclearran6200]

I have a 3.8 mustang and just replaced the egr valve. I also just replaced the camshaft position sensor. It idles rough and shudders when cruising

[@kobe4002]

Same did you ever fix it mines doing that right now

[@zaynemclearran6200]

@@kobe4002 So I figured out that it was just a lot of soot and carbon buildup in the intake manifold from the egr. Just take the manifold off and clean it and the egr ports. It’ll run like new

[@wh877]

1998 Expedition 4.6 running rough / rich out of the tailpipe. no engine light on and no codes. been sitting a few years with half tank gas in it. I did not visually find any vacuum leaks. I cleaned MAF sensor and I added bottle of fuel treatment and still running same after week in driveway . have not driven on the road yet.

[@flowersfam3462]

Did you find out what the issue was with it running rough?

[@wh877]

@@flowersfam3462yes second plug wire on passenger side was rusty. cleaned it up and running great now.

[@flowersfam3462]

@@wh877 That's good.

[@davitherkildsen]

What you have no codes and once I get to 2000 rpm under a load and it starts pinning and rattling ?...99 f150 4.6

[@WilliamBrenk]

Good call good fix

[@CryptoJunkie]

Hey great video.. But I have a quick question. You mention a way to test the EGR valve with adding vacuum to it with mercury or something like that.. But how would I do that? I was going to just clean it but I don't want to remove the entire throttle body and when I tried to just remove the EGR valve.. That huge nut on the egr tube wouldn't come off because of rust. Any help would be great!! Thank you

[@dakotastone7141]

My car keeps idling rough and dying when I come to a stop and keeps dying when I put the car into drive or reverse unless I press the gas. The engine light is sending the same code. The egr valve is good and I just replaced the egr solenoid but still having the same problem. Will being clogged cause the car to die also? Im lost and am not sure what to do.

[@colinbaca2782]

I'm having this exact issue. Did you ever find a solution?

[@Skyefuego]

was it the IAC valve?

[@flowersfam3462]

Did you ever find what caused the rough idling and dying of your vehicle?

[@jesusmejia1334]

Do you think the DPFE sensor going bad makes the check engine light come on the dash? I read it is the #1 reason. I have her codes too. I’m thinking of just doing a 3 step fuel injection service to eliminate any carbon we can’t reach internally. Also removing the exhaust pipe on the side of the block and cleaning with a brush wire.

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

DPFE sensors are notorious for going out and causing the ses lamp to come on.

[@gripalipfishin4706]

Bout give it a check cuz I got a code for low flow on my 06 explorer 4.0

[@clarkgarrison7091]

What do i do if i snaped the front bolt on egr valve

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

You gotta fix it some how. Not sure exactly what the situation is but bolt extraction may help.

[@Rabbit.760]

Ford Egr valves themselves are cheap

[@tct72]

If there is enough of the broken bolt sticking out of the intake and there is enough room to work, just weld a nut to the end and turn it out with a wrench.

[@Amarillobymorning777]

Remove the whole bracket attached to the throttle body or the intake manifold. Easy fix

[@lazersharp0262]

i snapped 1 of mine, the other bolt holds it fine by itself tho

[@vicoliver6122]

Ditto, what he said. Thank's Man, appreciate it.

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

No problem

[@70sfred1]

Explained this very well!

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Thanks a bunch!

[@benitochavez8425]

So im trying to clean my egr n its behind the intake maniflod how is itcleaned

[@ezwa9979]

yeah, that was supposed to B the pOEnt of this viDO- & U never EvN mentiond hoO 2 clEn it- thats verse UtUbish ☹️.

[@frankdaniels4364]

Good video man! Well explained.

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Thanks.

[@chriskell5353]

Hi I have a 2002 v6 mazda tribute with p0401 code I have replaced the egr valve egr solenoid and egr sensor and still have the code coming up it drives smooth idle great what's causing it now

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Have you checked to see if the ports where clogged up?

[@chriskell5353]

BarboursAutoHelp Yes all cleaned air take manifold all hoses everything is clean still getting a p0401 code

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

How did you clean the intake?

[@layteam11]

did you ever find what was causing your problem?

[@flowersfam3462]

I know this is an old comment, but after first getting those codes, did your erase them and do another scan after replacing the EGR Valve, EGR Sensor and EGR Vacuum Solenoid to check for any codes again? Sometimes people will forget to clear old codes after replacing parts that cause the code.

[@DeadBoyAlexx]

Would a p0401 code cause my car to make a ticking sound when accelerating? I’ve had this code for a while now and so far nothing has worked to fix it and it recently started making this sound of ticking when accelerating with no new engine codes coming up so I assume the problems are related. Someone help plz!

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Spark knock can be caused by high combustion chamber temperatures. Exhaust gas recirculated back into the combustion chamber cools the combustion chamber a bit. Having inadequate egr flow can contribute to spark knock. (not saying you have spark knock. But this could be what you are experiencing.) Properly diagnosing the EGR system and repairing it would be recommended. However, in a lot of cases, especially with the 4.6L and 5.4L, going to a higher octane gasoline can help with spark knock untill the root cause is repaired. I hope this helps "if" this is your problem.

[@DeadBoyAlexx]

@@BarboursAutoHelp so what’s my next move to fix the problem

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Have you tried higher octane gas?

[@artiscoopwr1275]

I'm having the same problem on my 97 crown Vic p71

[@ipman4715]

i got egr code claiming leak

[@Dr.LessCharacter]

Is this the same 'FIAT Piece of SHIAT' brand that I owned? Bought a Compass for my wife that had all maint on time, & looked new! Stranded her 5x in 6 months! Nissan CVT is garbage! 10k later I am JEEP FREE!

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

I’m so confused right now. What? Did you watch the video? Are you talking about a Ford, Jeep or Nissan? The video is talking about Ford issues.