Symptoms of a Faulty or Faulty EGR Cooler
Common symptoms include engine overheating, exhaust leaks, and the Check Engine light coming on.
The EGR cooler is a component used to lower the temperature of the exhaust gases recirculated by the EGR system. The EGR system recirculates exhaust gases back to the engine to reduce cylinder temperatures and NOx emissions. However, the gas circulating in the EGR system can be significantly hot, especially in vehicles with diesel engines. For this reason, many diesel engines are equipped with EGR coolers to lower the temperature of the exhaust gases before they enter the engine.
The EGR cooler is a metal device that uses thin channels and fins to cool the exhaust gases. They function in much the same way as a radiator, using cold air passing through the fins to cool the exhaust gases passing through the cooler. When the EGR cooler has any problems, it can cause problems with the functionality of the EGR system. This can lead to performance issues and even problems passing emission standards for states where they are required. Usually, a faulty or faulty EGR cooler causes several symptoms that can alert the driver to a potential problem that needs to be addressed.
1. Engine overheating
One of the first symptoms of a potential EGR cooler problem is the engine overheating. If the EGR cooler has any problems that restrict the flow of exhaust gases through the cooler, this can cause the engine to overheat. Over time, carbon can build up inside the EGR cooler and restrict flow through the cooler. This can lead to overheating of the unit, after which it will not be able to cool the exhaust gases, and as a result, the engine will overheat. Engine overheating can cause engine knocking or knocking and even serious damage if the problem is left unattended.
2. Exhaust leak
Another problem with the EGR cooler is exhaust gas leakage. If the EGR cooler gaskets fail or the cooler is damaged for any reason, exhaust gas leakage can result. An exhaust leak can be heard as an audible hiss or thud coming from the front of the vehicle. This will reduce the efficiency of the exhaust gas recirculation system and adversely affect engine performance.
3. Check Engine light comes on.
Another sign of a bad or faulty EGR cooler is the Check Engine light. If the computer detects a problem with the EGR system, such as insufficient flow or exhaust, it will turn on the check engine light to alert the driver to the problem. The Check Engine Light can also be caused by a number of other issues, so it is highly recommended that you scan your computer for trouble codes.
EGR coolers are not installed on all vehicles, but for vehicles that are equipped with them, they are critical to vehicle performance and drivability. Any problems with the EGR cooler can also lead to higher emissions, which will be a problem for states requiring emission checks for all their vehicles. For this reason, if you suspect that your EGR cooler may be having a problem, have a professional technician, such as one from AvtoTachki, have your vehicle inspected to determine if the cooler should be replaced.
