How to: Clean your CX-7 EGR (Speed 3 based instructions, but should help)

[Ozynigma]

And if you are really keen, take off the inlet manifold and hand clean the valves. I haven't done it yet at 127,000 km's so I am not an expert on this. This is what the inlet cleaner (seafoam etc) is supposed to do.

[Ozynigma]

Originally Posted by bkdow Dealer wants $860 and my local guy wants $1,000 to replace it. UGH!! Anyone got an idea?

Replace what? The EGR?

Why not just clean it, instructions in first post.

[Project_dog]

Dam I got a P0401 code today. Well time to have fun today.

[torquemaniac]

Originally Posted by Project_dog Dam I got a P0401 code today. Well time to have fun today.

Best thing to do is to unpluig the EGR solenoid and delete the code (P0401) with versatuner

On a direct injection engine, the EGR + blowby is was cause shit buildup on the valve

You unplug the solenoid to get rid of the EGR (no need to buy a EGR delete kit) and use a catch can for the blowby

I had my EGR deleted for about 18 months now, and no problem with reliability

[Project_dog]

My question is. Let's say I do that. Will I have a cel

[lildisco]

Not if you have a VersaTune

[torquemaniac]

Originally Posted by Project_dog My question is. Let's say I do that. Will I have a cel

You will have a CEL, but it can be deleted with versatuner

[lildisco]

Originally Posted by torquemaniac You will have a CEL, but it can be deleted with versatuner

I too did the above advice & have had my EGR unplugged since April/May of this year w/o any issues. It did throw a couple of codes (all related to the EGR), but i have VersaTune ignore them in my tune.

I also installed an oil catch can for the past month or so & it hasn't collected one drop. I also switched to Rotella T6, which may explain that. I did have some oil build in my intercooler & in my intake manifold. I haven't checked since my occ install though.

[Raider]

Yeah, if you can disable P0401, totally block the egr off or remove it. But many just need it cleaned. Then all you need to do is run Chevron Techron Complete Fuel System cleaner every 3,000 miles. Keeps it from sticking.

[torquemaniac]

Originally Posted by lildisco I too did the above advice & have had my EGR unplugged since April/May of this year w/o any issues. It did throw a couple of codes (all related to the EGR), but i have VersaTune ignore them in my tune. I also installed an oil catch can for the past month or so & it hasn't collected one drop. I also switched to Rotella T6, which may explain that. I did have some oil build in my intercooler & in my intake manifold. I haven't checked since my occ install though.

How is your catch can hooked?

[lildisco]

PCV to input & output to the intake manifold. Checked it a few times to be sure it was hooked up correctly. It also has a check valve on it. It's a stage 2 from JBR.

[torquemaniac]

Originally Posted by lildisco PCV to input & output to the intake manifold. Checked it a few times to be sure it was hooked up correctly. It also has a check valve on it. It's a stage 2 from JBR.

I dont want to bash JBR products, but I am not a fan of this kind of setup...

If the can is placed in between the PCV and manifold, the can will do nothing when there is pressure (boost) in the manifold, because the pressure in the manifold is greater than the one in the crankcase (the check-valve prevent the manifold pressure from going in the crankcase, but also block the flow of blowby out of the crankcase)

If the blowby cant escape via the PCV when there is pressure in the manifold, it will take the other route, which is the valve cover vent (the one that connect to the TIP)...this is why you have oil buildup in the TIP and intercooler

In my opinion, the catch can should not be in between the PCV and manifold, but in between the valve cover and TIP

The PCV only vent when under vacuum, and when under vacuum (which is mostly at idle), the blowby are at a minimum (blowby are a at maximum at WOT)

There are other efficient catch can setup, but the simplest is with the catch can in between the valve cover and TIP (with the PCV hooked to the manifold in the regular way to have some vacuum to vent the crankcase at idle)

Im pretty sure if you look at your TIP now, you will have some oil in there...

There was a great thread about the different setup, but I cant find it

[lildisco]

I'll have to look into this. JBR seems to be a pretty reputable place. The other occ installs I've seen put it in the same location.

[bkdow]

Originally Posted by Raider Brake booster. BUT, now we know it does NOTHING to improve anything, don't waste time and money. Clean the egr and be done.

Got to it today. It took about 4 hours total including an hour getting cleaner and gasket from the dealer. The hardest part was getting the turbo tube in and out. Probably spent 45 minutes on that alone. I did not clean the tube. The egr was awful.

[torquemaniac]

Originally Posted by lildisco I'll have to look into this. JBR seems to be a pretty reputable place. The other occ installs I've seen put it in the same location.

Think of it this way : the oil you get in the TIP and intercooler are surely not coming from the PCV, because the PCV is not connect to the TIP...but its coming from the valve cover (this one is connected to the TIP)...if you put the catch can there I can assure you will accumulate in the catch can (and alot less will manage to get to the TIP and intercooler)

The check-valve in the JBR stage 2 kit is there to prevent boost from seeping pass the PCV when you up the boost higher than stock level (hence stage 2)

FYI, im not pretending to be a know-it-all guy...just trying to be helpful

[Lancer-AM]

Thanks for the guide @Raider; I did this to my wife's CX-7 two years ago following your guide. The code finally came back this week. Time to tear it down and do it again. Pretty painless overall.

[Raider]

Try the Chevron Techron Complete Fuel System Cleaner. As the weather cools, these threads will liven up. But try that magic sauce, the $15 bottle. Within 200 miles, mine went away.

[lildisco]

Unplugging it & disabling the code in Versa Tune is working quite well for me

[Raider]

Originally Posted by lildisco Unplugging it & disabling the code in Versa Tune is working quite well for me

Yeah, but that's not what this thread is for.

[lildisco]

Understandable, just saying that if you do it through a tune, i haven't notice any ill effects

[FatSauze]

Gonna give this a try this week having loooong cranks prior to engine start.

[FatSauze]

Just did it, took me a while but I'm a novice and had to run around borrowing certain tools from friends and neighbours. Car runs great no more long cranks on start up. what a biotch to get that EGR pipe off near the front fan.

[ms33]

Well, today, my pops and i decided to give it a shot, we ended up cleaning the Throttle Body and the tube... made a little video of it of how we did clean up the tube.
I am also looking for a mechanic with CX7/MS6/MS3 experience to help me take out the Turbo and inspect it.
Im located in New Jersey....

[Raider]

Why does the turbo need inspection?

[ms33]

Originally Posted by Raider Why does the turbo need inspection?

because i've seen a lot of white smoke coming out while idle, i have also purchased the Damond Motorsports restrictor bolt and want to install it.
Worth mentioning: Mazda stealership had already installed the new ventilation kit (at least what they told me) and now a lot of smoke comes out.

[Raider]

Then it's too late and replace the turbo, is what they need to do.

[ms33]

Originally Posted by Raider Then it's too late and replace the turbo, is what they need to do.

I agree, but then again, i would need help because i have a notion but i'd rather do it with someone experienced.

[Raider]

Guessing warranty extension does not apply? Check local dealer.

[ms33]

Originally Posted by Raider Guessing warranty extension does not apply? Check local dealer.

I had the Ventilation kit done via extended Mazda Warranty, which expired at 80k and now the car has 100k, dealer wants 4.5k for the work with a refurb K04, i bought the restrictor bolt in hopes that it would be easy to install and hopefully stop the smoke.

[Raider]

The turbo itself is just $1300 or so. The rest is back breaking labor. Hit up locals in Nator new Jersey

[ms33]

Originally Posted by Raider The turbo itself is just $1300 or so. The rest is back breaking labor. Hit up locals in Nator new Jersey

I know !!! They basically charge $115/hr !!! but then again, here in NJ/NYC area thats kinda what almost all dealers charge for labor... Thx Raider.

[Marculese]

do you have to replace the gasket when you do this?

[Ozynigma]

Originally Posted by Marculese do you have to replace the gasket when you do this?

You shouldn't have to if you don't damage it. It is a thin metal gasket.

I have had my inlet manifold and EGR tube on and off a couple of times now with the same gasket going back on with no issues.

[Marculese]

Ok, so it was a great success! However, the little red clip that secures the wiring harness on the throttle body up front shot off and is nowhere to be found. Any idea where I can buy that thing?

[Raider]

Dealer, maybe. But I would find it

[Marculese]

I know I've been looking for a good hour, cant even hear it rattle around when I hit the bumper. O well, other than that it went great. Thanks guys!

[kosmic]

The infamous code P0401 just popped out on my CX7 GT 2008 and I'm about to do the cleaning as per the guide. I was wondering, I have access to a ultrasonic cleaner, is there any part of the EGR valve that would get damaged in the US tank?

Thanks for your help

Kos