EGR Return Leaks

[Graberhieny]

Ever Since I replaced my Valve Cover Gaskets, I have been having problems one after the other. My car has not ever ran the same. Currently I have 175,XXX miles on it. I noticed today that on the return tube of the EGR to the intake manifold there is a hissing noise coming from there. I know that the graphite gasket that goes there is damaged and needs to be replaced. If that gasket is leaking will it cause my car to idle weird and run rich. Sometimes when the car is hot I have troubles cranking it, in order to get it running I have to give it some gas and then I will turn on (it does turn over, but does not start). Also will that leak cause a squeaking noise when I am at cruising speeds and give light gas. There is a squeaking noise. When I am on the highway I cannot even tell that there is anything wrong with the car.


Modified by Graberhieny at 9:51 PM 5/24/2008

[Mike G]

... I know that the graphite gasket that goes there is damaged and needs to be replaced. ...

I would start there and see what problems get resolved...--Mike

[allensteiner]

the squeaking might be your belt. as for cranking and not starting maybe the fuel filter or fuel pump - i'm thinking fuel delivery or spark problem.

[NutriaforBreakfast]

I just replaced my valve cover gaskets too.That gasket (metal impregnated) is a pain too. You might haveto loosen the connection down by the EGR valve to get it tomate up with the plenum/intake manifold. Also its tough gettingyour hands between the firewall and intake manifold to catchthe nuts and fat washers when you loosen them. I had to takeoff the mount for the accelerator cable on the firewall to do this.

I had an idea to seal off the intake manifold EGR opening witha blind flange and hook up to the EGR tube with a hose clamp.Then T in the EGR tube to the PVC valve hose since it is such a pain.

I know I tore a spark plug seal tube in the back valve cover trying tomake the plenum line up to hook up the EGR tube.

[Graberhieny]

I am sorry it took me so long to get back, but it is really being a full-time student during regular semester and summer. Also have a part-time job and help out at my parents motel. Anyways I got a chance to change my fuel filter, which was dirty and needed changing since it has 175,XXX miles on it. Still I am having problems with the idle. During the process of warming up the engine runs smooth. Once the car is warmed up it will run smooth and periodically the rpms will drop don to about 450 and come back up. When in D and stopped at a light it will do the same.

Now the start up:

in the morning from the car left overnight, sometimes it will turn on the first crank and somethings i will have to press the gas a little bit to get it to start running. When the car is turned off and turned on right then it will start fine. If I allowed the car to sit for about 5 or 10 mins the I sometimes have problems getting it started (meaning that I would have to press the gas pedal).

Again, Thanks A LOT for the help.

[NutriaforBreakfast]

I would try cleaning the Idle Air Control Valve first(cheap and easy)

[Graberhieny]

I have cleaned that out throughly already along with checking the MAF sensor, and checking for a good spark on each cylinder. I have also checked for vacuum leaks and the only only that I see is the one on the ERG Temperature senor as I have stated before is leaking. That will be fixed most likely next weekend once I get sometime off.