Best way to clean EGR while doing headgaskets

[zakkb787]

Passenger head gasket blew on my old white lbz that my buddy bought last year. At 280k miles being 100% stock the y bridge and egr is horrible. While it’s out I’m going to try to clean it. What’s the best way to clean the egr cooler to get all the carbon build up out? I was thinking brake cleaner but not sure if that’ll mess up the valve itself. He was going to delete but just wants it back together ASAP and is going to sell it in the spring. Any input will help. Thanks guys

 

[Robby Avery]

wintergreen oil followed by crc or stp egr cleaner get a soft wire or plastic bristle brush and some cold ones and start scrubbing:thumb: let it soak in the wintergreean oil and you will be amazed how it breaks up soot

 

[Bdsankey]

Got access to a hot wash machine?

 

[2004LB7]

I used simple green and soaked it for a half hour or so. Worked great. I don't remember having to scrub any part of it to remove the carbon

If you have any stubborn grim you can also use oven cleaner

 

[Dozerboy]

I would use purple power or something like that. But if he’s going to sell it I wouldn’t worry about it a whole lot.


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[zakkb787]

Thanks guys. No hot parts washer unfortunately. He’s not going to sell it till spring, and it’s pretty horrible. The passenger egr port is nearly completely plugged with carbon, and the y bridge elbow is packed about 1/4 of the way full with oily gummy crap. Might as well try to get it a little cleaner while it’s out.

 

[pmason92]

I used simple green and soaked it for a half hour or so. Worked great. I don't remember having to scrub any part of it to remove the carbon

If you have any stubborn grim you can also use oven cleaner

X2. I've used simple green on any truck retaining the EGR
30 min soak then quick brush through and a rinse.

 

[Tothemax]

oxygen acetylene torch works very well if your careful not to over heat the metal

 

[Anotherduramax]

Purple power after burning it out. Light the crud on fire and use shop air to keep it burning. Or I’m sure there are more environmentally friendly ways.

 

[zakkb787]

Just to be clear, we are talking about soaking the entire egr cooler correct? Sorry for my ignorance, nothing I won has this crap lol

 

[PureHybrid]

I hope nobody is taking a torch to the cooler. Like others said, just soak the parts in Simple Green or Purple Power. Seafoam deep creep works good too, but it's going to be costly compared to the other options.

 

[Blackmax123]

I cap the ends and fill it with purple power and let it soak a while. Then use the steam Jenny to wash them out. you could soak it a little while and take it to the car wash.

 

[2004LB7]

I torched the intake manifold on my TDI. Used a propane torch and got the oil/carbon lit. Then some compressed air to burn it out. It burned so hot I was afraid I was going to melt it down into a pile of aluminum. I don't recommend it if detergent will work

 

[RickDLance]

IIRC oven cleaner work pretty good too.

 

[Robby Avery]

Just to be clear, we are talking about soaking the entire egr cooler correct? Sorry for my ignorance, nothing I won has this crap lol

yes either cap it or or place in plastic container and soak take it for what it worth but the wintergreen oil is no joke I had a l5p injector that sat in my service stall at work for two days cause I could not get cylinder number 2 injector out from soot coking and stiction fellow world class tech mentioned winter green oil from a hobby store and holy crap after trying pry bar and a slide hammer in return port the winter green oil allowed me to removed it by hand that's how well it broke up the carbon do what you wish but it will amaze you plus it smells good to lol :rofl:

 

[RickDLance]

Also just to be clear, the best way to clean an egr is to pitch it. LOL!