QuestionI have a 94 Dodge Spirit 2.5L with EGR. Recently I bought a slightly used 2.5L(18,000 miles on a Chrysler factory rebuild) out of a 1992 Plymouth Acclaim(no EGR) to put into my Spirit. The 94 Spirit engine had died at 180,000 miles. Both Canadian cars by the way so emissions stuff may vary from the US models.
When we changed the engine we failed to notice that the engine from the 1992 did not have provisions on the exhaust or intake manifolds for the EGR. We soon found this out after the engine was in and we started doing up all wiring and vacuum lines. It was cold and we were too lazy to change the manifolds unless we absolutely have to.
Since changing the engine I have driven the car about 3,000 miles on both highway and city driving with absolutely no hint of knocking or driveability problems. The engine runs like a dream.
However the check engine light was coming on regularily after about 20 miles (computer said O2 sensor). I did notice a substantial drop in gas mileage which would be consistant with an O2 sensor failing and the computer defaulting to a rich mixture.
I was getting fault codes for the old O2 sensor which came with the wrecking yard engine. It had sat in the wrecking yard for nearly 2 years before I bought it. I finally installed a new MOPAR O2 sensor tonight. Its winter here so I had to wait for warmer weather!
I just disconnected the battery for 30 minutes to clear the codes. There was a code in the computer for the EGR as well.
What can you tell me? My concern is whether I will damage the engine running without EGR. I still have the original EGR equipped manifolds. We blocked the vacuum line that went ot the EGR valve.
Thanks
Fitz
AnswerHi Fitz,
That is a sophisticated question you are asking. I am aware that the same engine, depending upon local requirements, was sold with or without and egr so it must not be that significant to the health of the engine. The unknown to me would be whether, aside from the engine controller recognizing that the egr response it is expecting is not occuring and thus setting a fault code, any other parameters of engine control are different between the two engines. If you can get an engine controller out of the 92 Acclaim if it is still at the yard that might be an insurance policy. But I don't believe that in general if the egr becomes plugged or stuck closed (the same situation you now have) that damage results. Rather there is an increase in NOX which is an environemental concern rather than an engine longevity issue. So if it is running well I would leave well enough alone.
Roland
