Blocking the EGR Valve

[Timbo]

What is EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) and why should I block it?

Wiki link for in-depth explanation.

TLDR;
*EGR works by recirculating a portion of an engine's exhaust gas back to the engine cylinders.
*EGR deletion results in an increase in fuel economy as high as 25%.

Some people have also noticed an increase in power and a quicker turbo spool. IF there are any power increases at all, they would have to be pretty minute. However, I can attest to a quicker turbo spool up by at least a few hundred revs.

How do I block the EGR Valve?

It's a pretty easy do-it-yourself job. Allow an hour or so to do the job, and make sure the motor is cool enough to work on comfortably.





This is what the EGR blanking plate should look like..



The easiest way to do this job is to loosen the 2 nuts as pictured in the 2nd picture. You don't need to take them all the way off, just loosen them enough to be able to pull the EGR Valve (big brass ufo looking thing) away from the manifold. All we are doing is sliding the plate in.

For the plate, you'll want some thin sheet metal.. I used stainless steel. I have read that tin is fine. Not too sure about alluminium.. I've read is may corrode but I'm not sure. You want to basically end up with a shape similar to what I quickly draw in the last picture. As you try to fit it, you will see where it needs to be refined to the correct shape. For this, I used Tin Snips and a round file.

Once you get a plate that fits, you slide it in between the Manifold and the EGR Valve, then tighten the 2 nuts back up. Simple as that.

Good luck!

[RustyNails]

Should have read this post first.
Interesting your comment about only minute increase in power, makes me think why bother.
Best template I have seen for the plate, thanks.

Paul

[Timbo]

No worries. Took my plate off and redrew it in Illustrator.

There's a few reason to do it. I guess the ultimate being that it's increases your fuel economy by up to 25% and it's actually cleaner for the environment. Read the link in my post and it tells you about which gasses it cuts back on.
Technically, it doesn't deliver more power, but, if your 4wd is turbo then it makes the turbo spool up quicker which means getting power slightly earlier. So in a way it is more power, but it isn't.... does that make sense? haha.

[the evil twin]

There's a few reason to do it. I guess the ultimate being that it's increases your fuel economy by up to 25% and it's actually cleaner for the environment. Read the link in my post and it tells you about which gasses it cuts back on.

Uuummmm thats not quite correct in our context... EGR is how Nissan chose to manage Nox emmissions to meet world anti-pollution standards. I totally agree EGR on its own does raise particulate and gas pollutant levels but these are managed by other anti-pollution systems on their engines. Therefore blocking the EGR significantly raises Nox but doesn't correspondingly lower particulates and other gases as they are already being managed by filters and Cats etc.

Don't get me wrong... I am in favour of blocking EGR (or reducing it on CRDs) but purely for selfish reasons ... it doesn't help the environment because with all its drawbacks there is no way Nissan would have EGR there unless it was absolutely necessary to meet the anti-pol regs. If they could get 25% better fuel economy without needing it they would be dancing in the streets.

[Timbo]

What's an environment? :P Nah your right with your comment. Probably not the best for the environment. Just like massive oil spills in the ocean and factories pumping out tonnes of gasses through their chimneys.. whatever we do we're adding to everything.

As for fuel economy, not every will see up to 25% gains. Most people probably won't even notice any change.. but it's pretty hard with 4wd's. They aren't the most aerodynamic beasts. Plus, we add all these accessories to our rigs and kind of expect the same economy. Suspension lifts, bullbars, rear bars, spotlights, roof racks, this that and the other.. all adds wind drag and uses more fuel.

Maybe I should change my sales pitch to "Reduces Exhaust Gas Temperatures".

[the evil twin]

Maybe I should change my sales pitch to "Reduces Exhaust Gas Temperatures".

ROFL.. Hiya G Unit

Actually the biggest plus in my opinion would be the big reduction in soot and particulates getting shoved back thru the engine.

From the many discussions on the 'net about EGR the one common thing that stands out from all the posts is how much cleaner everyone reckons the oil is. Considering the oil is only getting a small percentage of the crud as the majority does go out the exhaust eventually it must be a VERY beneficial mod to reduce engine wear.

Waddya reckon Rusty... perhaps we need a Perth Garage Day and knock over all our ZD30's together

[RustyNails]

Waddya reckon Rusty... perhaps we need a Perth Garage Day and knock over all our ZD30's together

Wash your mpouth out ET, mine has six pots not four, go the mighty 2.8.
Garage Day is a good idea though as besides the EGR I have a list of things to do and am a long way from a competent mechanic.

Paul

[oilburner98]

do any of you fellas know anyone that has done this and noticed the cleaner oil? I do what I can to try to extend the life of my 2.8 (drop oil/filters 5k), and not flog it too hard.
The blanking plate looks to be a good idea if it keeps the recirc soot out of the engine.

[oilburner98]

um, sorry for a silly question, but how is the exhaust crud getting into the oil in the 1st place?

[my third 256]

Uuummmm thats not quite correct in our context... EGR is how Nissan chose to manage Nox emmissions to meet world anti-pollution standards. I totally agree EGR on its own does raise particulate and gas pollutant levels but these are managed by other anti-pollution systems on their engines. Therefore blocking the EGR significantly raises Nox but doesn't correspondingly lower particulates and other gases as they are already being managed by filters and Cats etc.

Don't get me wrong... I am in favour of blocking EGR (or reducing it on CRDs) but purely for selfish reasons ... it doesn't help the environment because with all its drawbacks there is no way Nissan would have EGR there unless it was absolutely necessary to meet the anti-pol regs. If they could get 25% better fuel economy without needing it they would be dancing in the streets.

why only reduce it on a crd please explain thanks stephen