Duramax EGR Issues

[TBow]

My "Drive Train Wrranty" on my '07 Silverado Duramax reached its maximum just last week. Before the warranty expired, I took the truck into the local dealership and had a "pressure test" and "reverse flow test" done on the fuel system to check for any weakening of the injectors and fuel pumps so I could get them replaced under warranty in the event that there were any problems. To replace a set of injectors could lighten 'ol TBow's wallet to the tune of $3K to $4K, so getting the tests done was just good old insurance. Things tested O.K., but as I'd been having black smoke rolling out of the exhaust, they changed the EGR valve as a precaution. A few days later, I got a "Service Engine" light, and the respective code indicated a problem with the EGR pump, which was replaced.

I did some reading on engine EGR systems and learned that it is part of the environmental system that recirculates unburnt carbons in the exhaust system back into the intake. A lot of the readings that I did on diesel forums, seemed to indicate that an EGR system was seemingly detrimental to engine performance in a number of ways. It was cited as causing gumming up of the air intake system to the point where supplemental cleaning of the intake either by removal of the intake or spraying H20 based mist into the intake to try to resolve the carbon and soot caking. Many indicated they had installed EGR blocking plates (which is illegal in most states and provinces I think) in order to alleviate the recirculation of the unburnt and dirty carbons in the exhaust. If I was reading it right, I think they also mentioned about having to isolate the applicable engine "error codes".

I guess my questions are:

1. Is the EGR system actually detrimental to the efficiency of the engine's performance?

2. Will spraying mist into the intake clean out the fuel and air delivery system?

3. Could the spraying of mist into the intake be detrimental to the engine?

4. Are EGR blocking plates in fact illegal?

5. Will installing an EGR blocking plate increase my engine's performance?

6. Will using diesel fuel conditioners (such as Lucas fuel additive) reverse any of the effects of the EGR system?

I only bought my Duramax a year ago, and fortunately for me, it had a year's / 25K km warranty remaining on the drive train. I've received almost $6K in warranty work over the past year, but now that it's expired, 'Ol TBow is gon'na be on the hook for all future repairs. I'm keepin' my fingers crossed and keeping the service intervals as regular as I can, 'cause after all, you know what they say: "You can pay me know, or you can pay me later!"

TBow

[The_Kat]

Do a delete kit and get and EFI live tuner installed......that will end all your troubles with EGR valves and clogged exhaust.....not to mention it will make your truck 2-3 times the beast it already is.

[tallone]

I just did the dpf delete and installed a new 4" stainless exhaust, a edge cts programmer, new air intake, the blocker plate, transgo jr. kit and what a totally different vehicle i have now. I only run on level 2 although it goes up to 7. I think i can only go to 4 safely. But i did gain my fuel mileage back that I lost by going to 285 tires and the cognito level kit. I wouldn't spray water into my engine unless your talking about that service a couple of companys provide but even then I'd be worried about it. You won't see a performance increase just a peace of mind that your engine is breathing cleaner air. And I read a lot into all of this before and I don't know of any additive that will clean it out. I don't know about the illegal part in fact this is the first time I've heard it mentioned. I do know if you live in a state that is strict (California) you will have to put everything back the way it was to get your emisions passed.