thanx, yeah that makes sense !!!

 

I just removed the IACV, removed the top two bolts on the guide tube, removed the one bolt behind the other EGR tube with a box wrench and removed the other bolt with a socket and extension. I worked all from the top of the car, there is not really any reason to have to jack the car.

 

I got everything back together last night and no CEL so far.

In an earlier post, I mentioned that I could not connect the top of the EGR tube to the intake manifold because there was too much space between the intake manifold and the top of the EGR guide tube. As a follow-up for anyone else having the same problem, I found that if you don't tighten the nut on the forward stud of the bottom of the EGR tube, I was able to pivot the EGR guide tube into contact with the intake manifold and then tighten the EGR guide tube into place.

Thanks for the helpful pics and information.

 

got it !!! thanks a lot for taking ur time, i am going to see how mine is this weekend when i take off the iacv and tb for a cleaning.

any gaskets involved on that egr pipe ? all i got for now is the tb paper gasket and the iacv metal gasket

 

Ok, I am still a little frustrated by this trying to remove this pipe going from below the EGR to over next to the IACV - the other day I spent some time looking at the two nuts down by the egr valve, and even tried to get a socket on to them, no luck. The big pipe going out of the EGR valve is in the way. So it must be required to remove that first, correct, and if I manage that, will I be able to get those two nuts off?

If anyone has any more pics or tips, that is greatly appreciated!

 

Sorry to bring it from dead. I am facing the same problem, For california spec maxima's seems only way to access other end is by jacking up the car and working under it.

 

Not sure if this helps, I still have not had time to try at it again, but I found this information that might help, very nice picture of how you are supposed to be able to remove the pipe to clean it:

egr pipe removal pic

 

So I have a question about this.....what do you do when the nut that you hacksawed the tip off of....strips?


I took off my IM, and TB to get at it better.....got all the other bolts off, then on that bolt....it just stripped.

I got annoyed and rashly just sprayed a ishload of throttle body cleaner in there, stuck a coat hanger in there and hoped for the best.......not sure if this is going to fix everything....

At this point, I think I'm just going to bring it in....has to get inspected anyway....

 

^^ I accidentally pushed some buildup INTO the tube. Will that be a problem? When I took it off, mines wasn't clogged, but it had build up. Would spraying some carb cleaner down be hurtful or helpful?

 

is there a write up on how to do that?

 

I cannot get it out for the LOVE>. It's stripped in a sense..

 

I also cut that part off, but not that much, it almost goes to the thread. Also I was able to do everything from the top of the car. with cutting and everything it took me about 1 - 2 hours. I also took the sensor out and cleaned that.

 

Tagging so that I can find this thread when I work on my P0400.

 

Wow, really?!? You can do that without actually posting...

 

I don't want to subscribe. Actually, my forum settings have subscription disabled. I just post to tag and then search for my own posts to locate the thread.

 

I'm about to do this task...

 

looks like it was a real pain. any headaches while doing it?

 

Subscribed for the excellent pics

 

So after living with the CEL at 150,000 miles I decided to tackle the EGR tube cleanout. I did not want to actually remove the tube and after trying to clean it with aircraft cable, a coat hanger, and a toothbrush I finally took the following steps (following advice found in these forums):

1. 1/3 can seafoam into the brake booster line.

2. I took the IAC Valve apart and filled up the EGR Tube with intake cleaner. I could tell that it was clogged because the fluid was standing at the depression where the IACV connects to the EGR. Fill it to the brim. I put the IACV back together and after taking a trip with some high revolutions per minute the EGR carbon clog broke loose.

3. Then I put 1/3 can of seafoam into the brake booster line again to help clean the clog and for the smoke show.

4. All is well. It runs like the day I bought it, the CEL is off, and hopefully the rough idle will settle out after a few more miles.

Enjoy.

 

That is probably the worst way to clean the EGR tube...mainly cause if what you say is true, you sucked a chunk of carbon sludge into your engine. And seafoam wont do anything to clean the egr tube.

 

Edited: " Thanks to the I was never a noob "mini"-moderator! "

 

http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...e-posting.html

Start here please ^^^^^^

This thread is how old? But, at least you searched.

 

Just did this last yesterday. What a nightmare!! Took me 20 minutes to replace my ignition starter switch, an hour to get the car on jacks - replace the front rotors/pads - and tighten the left ball joint nut (popping noise over bumps). The EGR removal/cleaning alone took 4 hours. Long night... plus Steak Out was already closed when I finished, which sucked.

Some points I'd like to add: (this job is not for the sensitive type! your arms/hands will look like you tried to stuff a cat into a mailbox and your patience will wear thin. wear goggles or glasses while under the car!)

My engine did NOT stall when lifting the EGR valve as others mentioned (if it does, I believe its the valve, solenoid, etc; not the tube). RPM's did drop slightly. I had a 03 02 (EGR high/low) and 03 04 (knock sensor) codes. The tube was packed full at the top, just like the manifold. Clean both.

Do the lowest nut from under the car. Only a 12mm wrench will fit. I used a hacksaw blade (no handle) to cut the screw in about 10 mins. The washer WILL NOT come off unless you cut the screw. Everything else was done from the top.

Unmount the brake booster(?) on the firewall to make life easier. I removed the air box/hoses and 3 bolt thingy w/ sensors on the intake manifold. I disconnected the mounting plate/EGR tube sensor off that (<--before reinstalling, be sure to put the screw near the firewall in before the sensor mounting plate).

Do the 3rd lowest nut w/ a 10" extention. For the top two nuts, no extension is necessary.

All four EGR tube nuts are serviced pretty much by FEEL. I like to see what I'm doing, but in this case its impossible. Try not to drop the washers/nuts in the engine. I lost a locking washer but happened to have an extra.

I used a Shop Vac to get out the carbon deposits I chiseled out of the intake manifold. I'm sure my neighbors enjoyed this at 11:00. I used a short flathead and bent spoon to remove the gunk.

Good luck should you choose to DIY. Oh... and call Steak Out BEFORE they close!

 

I just wanted to tag up this thread, it was very helpful so I wanted to share some bits.

After placing the car on stands I actually did not have have to remove any tubing, the manifold nor any of the air intake assembly.

BUT I had a hard time sawing off the tip of the bolt that's blocked by the large metal pipe with just a hacksaw blade. So I went down to the store and picked up a Mini Hacksaw, the hacksaw blade goes into the handle and then a little arm clamps about the middle of the blade.

While laying under the car I was able to see the egr pipe, through this hole I could stick my right arm up there but at this point I couldn't see well and hacking was difficult, that's when I discovered that I could also stick my left arm through the drivers side wheel well and get my hands to meet just below the egr valve. This allowed me to get a really good sawing motion going while bracing the blade against the bolt.

Hope this helps some folks that mighta been stumped at this stage.

 

I think that is helpful info on here. I have not done this myself yet, but who knows I might give it a shot and check out what's going on in my EGR tube.

 

I would just buy a new tube. $25.37 at courtesy. Old one off, new one on. Simple

 

Thanks for the tip -- I will be posting comprehensive pictures and instructions on a new thread on how to do this once I blow through the rule to reply to 15 posts even though I have been reading this helpful forum since 2002

 

Would this job be recommended should you have an engine code p1447?

 

Is it possible the carbons can rob hp? It seems like I have to press harder on the gas to maintain speed and when I let off the car decelerates rather quickly. Has anyone experienced this on a 4th Gen ?

 

I need to replace KS and plan to clean EGR tube at the same time. I am also curious if my clogged EGR tube is affecting hp. I was told by a friend that the clogged EGR tube is also the reason for the oil seepage from my valve covers, he mentioned something about extra pressure buiding up because of the clogged tube. Can anyone confirm this is true? Im guessing not consider some guys on here are removing the tube and plugging the holes. Thanks!

 

I got this EGR Tube out and cleaned once. It was tough to take it off since it is hard to reach, especially if you have a big hand. I cleaned it with cloth hanger and spray thoroughly with carburator or throttle body cleaner. It has been lasted for about 30k miles, now the code has come back. This time, I will buy a long reflexible brush (metal type) stick to clean it instead of using a cloth hanger.

 

Check on this website or search for egr parts, look for part # 14120G for the gasket

http://www.courtesyparts.com/maxima-...1785_1797.html

 

EGR Delete.

 

I also highly recommend to remove a sensor that connects to the guide tube. Clean it without removing this sensor will not remove all carbon out. I did the first time, the code comes back after 25k-30k miles. So, the 2nd time I removed the sensor and found a lot of carbon in there that covered the sensor's tip. The 2nd picture below shows although the tube has been well cleaned but once I removed the sensor wire, there is a lot of carbon still in there.

 

I did remove that sensor. Just didn't post a picture.

 

Hi guys I finally removed UIM, took me 2hours to take it off and the hose behind UIM is pain in the ***! So anyways I was trying to take EGR off but its hard to take off because socket won't go in due other part in the way. How did you take it off?