I’ve noticed my car has been huffin’ and puffin’ like an asthmatic kid who ran a marathon. This concerns me a lot as I do not have any experience in cars let alone figuring out what is wrong with them.
With the help of the reliable Google, I deduced that the concerns I have centers around my EGR valve. Now the cost to repair EGR valve is of particular interest for me. I wanted to save money as this is an unexpected expenditure.
What is an EGR valve?
The EGR ( Exhaust Gas Recirculation) valve helps lessen your carbon footprint. It helps you stay green by keeping your cars exhaust emission to a minimum by lowering the combustion chamber temperatures. This, in turn, lowers the formation of nitrogen oxide gasses which are harmful to the environment. By recirculating some gas coming from the engine into the intake manifold, the engine burns and utilize the harmful gasses again. This lessens harmful air pollutants being released into the atmosphere.
The EGR valve’s exhaust emission system makes it susceptible to electronic control problems and unburned gas or carbon buildup. The reintroduction of soot together with condensation corrodes the valves and coolers.This leads to problems like sensor or controller replacement, wiring repair or even complete replacement of the EGR valve. Thankfully, due to ultra-
low sulfur diesel fuel, corrosion and deposit buildup are not as common today but there is always the issue of wear and tear. If your EGR valve is not functioning properly, your car will not pass the emission inspection. If this happens to you, I’m sure your next question would be how much does EGR valve replacement cost?
When to replace EGR valve?
One of the earliest signs that your EGR valve needs to be checked is the frequency of your Check Engine Light coming on. Do not ignore this signal. Be proactive and check what could possibly be wrong with your vehicle. You will also notice excess exhaust emissions of your car. If you take an emission test in this condition, you will surely fail. There is also an increase in your gas mileage than the usual. Another thing is that your vehicle will idle roughly. The huffin’ and puffin’ are sure signs that there must be a blockage or breakdown in your EGR valve system.
These signs and symptoms are not an actual emergency. Do not panic. You can still go about your usual tasks using your car but you are a walking environmental hazard. Although this repair can be delayed, act on it as soon as you can before it can cause further damage. Use your time to find out the best mechanic in town and the cost to repair EGR valve.
Average EGR Valve Replacement Cost
The EGR value price depends on the year, make, and model of the car you drive and the auto repair shop that is taking care of your problem. Other than the auto parts price, there is also the overhead cost to consider.
The cost to repair EGR valve can range anywhere from $150 to $500, especially if the EGR passage needs to be cleaned. Labor is already included in this cost. If you want to save money, you can DIY this process. This is actually achievable if you have the right equipment and skill.
Where to buy an EGR valve?
If you are planning to buy an auto part like an EGR valve, Google is your best friend. Run a search on how much does EGR valve replacement cost and it will take you to various online shops like Walmart and Amazon who sells EGR valves from $70 to $400. There are also forums or Facebook groups that you can join. The members will gladly point you out to the best deals in town. You can also walk into town and ask the auto mechanic shops in the area and find out how much they charge for the replacement and repair.
There are six main types of EGR valves so it is best to read your product manual and find out the correct EGR valve type you need before shopping. If you are shopping online, take a photo of this and send it to the seller. Hold on to your old EGR valve until you receive your replacement. Compare and make sure that they match. You will also need your Vehicles Identification Number (VIN) to check.
If you are going to auto mechanic shops, the mechanic can check it out himself or you can show him the actual EGR valve.
What are tips for a longer EGR valve lifespan?
The EGR value price is a big concern especially when you did not budget or plan for that expenditure. But since this is an expected expense due to wear and tear, you need to be ready for this. There are preventative measures that you can do to delay the replacement of your EGR valve. Here are some tips that will be useful for you:
- Attend to any check engine lights immediately. Refer to your manual or search online for detailed instructions on how to address this concern.
- Get air induction or carbon cleaning service every 50,000 miles. This makes sure that there is no obstructions or sludge in your EGR valve air intake system.
- Adhere to regular oil changes. You will need to change your oil every three months or every 3,000 miles. This also helps prevent sludge build-up on your car’s engine.
- Schedule a professional fuel system cleaning every 30,000 miles.
- Clean your EGR valve regularly.
Money saving tips when buying an EGR valve
Save some money before replacing your EGR valve by making sure that you really have an EGR valve related problem before consulting a mechanic. If you don’t know how to do this, there are step-by-step tutorial online as well as Youtube tutorials that can help you with this. As long as you have the right tools with you, you can do this! Choosing this path will help you save money.
If you are not confident with your auto mechanic skills and you do not want to cause further damage to your car, you will need to seek the help of a professional. Use your lifelines. You might have a friend who knows something about cars and car problems. Check out the quotes of the mechanics in your area using keywords”cost to repair EGR valve”. Do not forget to read the user reviews as well as it is very helpful in decision making. You will get a better EGR value price this way.
The year, make, and model of the car as well as overhead costs greatly affects how much does EGR valve replacement cost. To cut cost, do your research.