What Is an EGR Valve? (EGR Valve Service)
October 22, 2023
If you've ever felt your vehicle hesitate, go, then hesitate again, you might think there's something wrong with the transmission. After all, it's not moving smoothly down the road. But there are plenty of malfunctions that can cause those symptoms, one of them being something you may have never heard of: the EGR valve.
EGR stands for Exhaust Gas Recirculation. It's a system that channels small amounts of exhaust back into the engine to cool down the cylinders and reduce polluting gases. Those include nitrogen oxides that can cause smog. The EGR valve regulates how much of the vehicle's exhaust gas is recirculated. After years and long distances traveled, that valve can get clogged or fail. Sometimes the EGR valve can stick open. When the EGR valve isn't working properly, your vehicle can start releasing those nitrogen oxides and pollute the air.
The symptoms of a malfunctioning EGR valve include:
- Engine losing power
- Engine idling roughly
- Pinging and knocking sounds in the engine
- Stalling and hesitation
- Fuel economy decreasing
- Check Engine light illuminated
Depending on its condition, the EGR valve can be cleaned or it may need to be replaced. Consult with your service advisor to see what options are recommended to you.
The EGR system is part of your vehicle's pollution and emissions control equipment. If you care about keeping our planet's atmosphere clean, you'll want to make sure it's doing its job—for everyone's benefit.
Blair's Ferry Automotive
1565 Blairs Ferry Rd.
Marion, Iowa 52302
319-447-6310
http://www.blairsferryautomotive.com
Need Service?
More articles from Blairs Ferry Automotive

How Cool is That! (Coolant level sensor replacement)
March 22, 2026
Your vehicles engine runs hot. It should, since its a series of little explosions that create the power that gets you going where you want to go. To keep the engine cool, engineers have designed wonderful cooling systems that use liquid coolant, hoses, and a radiator to transfer the heat from t... More

What?s That Yellow Squiggly Line Anyway? (What Warning Lights Mean)
March 15, 2026
You may have noticed when you start your vehicle, youll see several symbols light up on the dash. Theyre different colors and shapes, and sometimes its hard to figure out what each of those symbols mean. They are warning lights and symbolize something in your vehicle is sending you a message. I... More

Full of Hot Air (Air Conditioning)
March 8, 2026
In warm weather, you want to be in a cool vehicle. When we're talking cool, we don't mean stylish or trendy, but cool as in not sweltering inside. And if your vehicle's air conditioner stops working correctly, it seems to always break at the worst timeduring a heat wave. Automotive air conditio... More
