QuestionI have a 2001 Ford Taurus SEL. V6, 3 litre, 24 valve. It has about 67,500 miles on it.
The Service Engine light is on and in NY state that will cause an inspection failure. The car is up for inspection soon. You can't just reset it anymore either (did that last year), now they actually hook your car up to the diagnostics computer whether the light is on or not.
I went to Autozone and had a free diagnostics done with their hand held computer and it showed a code which was interpreted as EGR flow excessive. The guy there implied it was the EGR valve that needed replacement. I went to the dealer just to see what they had to say and they said that code doesn't help, that any number of things could cause that symptom and that the EGR valve itself could be fine. They (of course) recommend I bring it in and spend $99.00 on a diagnostics there to determine the actual cause of the problem. The mechanic there said it's very rare that an EGR valve goes bad.
So I can either buy the EGR valve at NAPA for $45 and replace it myself and hope that's what the problem is, or I can go to the dealer and spend $99 for a diagnostics plus parts and labor to have them fix the problem (which could still be just the EGR valve).
Any advice?
AnswerHello and thanks for the question...I'll try to help.
The dealership is correct in saying that there are several things that can give an EGR code. Replacement of the EGR valve with out diagnostics is silly, go figure, Autozone! I would strongly suggest that you bring it to the dealership or a GOOD garage and have them diagnose and repair the problem. This way, IF the problem persists...there is someone accountable for it......not you.
Hope this helps,
Erik
