Ive read some info Ive been able to find - which isnt much.. but what I read was I need to disconnect the tube running into the rear ex. manifold and clean it out.

It's kinda a tight fit back there, how the hell would I be able to get it loose?

 

Best bet is to remove the intake and rear valve cover, make sure you get new gaskets, also intake bracket bolts are a #%*# ...get a wobbly joint...OR get one of those open ended wrenches and "screws down" to get back to the pipe. I'm too tired to remember what it's called, you will bust your knuckles this way but well worth it in the end. Try cleaning the other EGR pipes first to see if that clears it up, they WILL be dirty as well, mine was a SOLID clog, had to ice pick it out lol. you will also need gaskets for that as well. good luck ( Get a haynes manual )

 

There are a few of us who are about to embark on this EGR cleaning mission (myself included) - so whoever ends up doing it, take pics and do a write-up. It will really help out a lot of others.

 

Egr issues are hard to diagnose...I had this code almost a yr ago, it took me almost a month to resolve, before you tear everything apart, do the simple things first.
1)Replace EGR solenoid valve, part #14956-31u10..located just b4 the knock sensor, small thingy with a green connector, held by a 10mm nut, small wrench will do the job. reset ECU, and wait if the code comes back...for me, replacing this part resolved this issue, for others it didn't.
2)If the code returns, then you will have to resolve to Egr cleaning.
for cleaning check this thread:
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=90535

These guys provide EGR cleaning service:
http://www.bgprod.com/bgconsumer/bgservices/44k.html

Other useful info
http://img52.photobucket.com/albums/v158/evilBIGD/EGR/

http://photobucket.com/albums/v158/e...s_location.jpg

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=393527

 

knight71 - good info and thanks for the library of links.

Some comments:

1. I looked into the BG EGR cleaning service and called several shops listed on the BG website including the local Nissan dealers and none of them offered the EGR cleaning (via chemicals) service. They all ofered the intake and fuel system cleaning, but not the EGR cleaning. They said for the EGR system, they just pull things apart and go at it with a pick/solvent. If anyone knows of a chain or shop in the Chicago area that definitely does the EGR service let me know.

2. The common trend on the ORG is to just keep replacing parts "since we're saving money" by doing things ourselves. There are very specific instructions on how to diagnose the EGR system. Granted, it is more cumbersome than other components, but I don't think its worthwhile to keep throwing parts (not cheap either) at the EGR system. There are specific DTCs for a bad solenoid, a bad valve etc. The P0400 (DTC 0302) code can be related to either the EGRC solenoid or the EGR valve (among a few other things), but with a lot of our cars getting 100k or more in miles, cleaning out the EGR system is probably a worthwhile exercise. While we have things open, it might be possible to better isolate the bad part too.

For those of us who have a persistently reposted CEL for the EGR system, take the time to diagnose it correctly. Mine came on once a week ago. I reset it after pulling the codes (0302 and 0304) and the EGR code has not reposted.

Just my 2 cents.

 

is there any maintenance we (the one w/o the code) can do to prevent clogging from happening?