HCH2 EGR Port Cleaning - HOWTO
 

If one or more of the EGR ports get plugged, rough running or light pinging can be heard at cruise and light throttle settings. Clean as follows:

Detach/loosen hose at airbox:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1tb7cch1le...0Hose.jpg?dl=0

You can likely leave this end of the hose connected and work the whole thing out, easier to reconnect only at the airbox:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/syuy5b78bl...0Hose.jpg?dl=0

Remove Inlet Plenum, two bolts, lift rear to disengage posts from grommets:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/cqg10h9zf2...mmets.jpg?dl=0

Remove Bracket, 2 bolts, clip, hose clamp and hose (beware small amount of coolant loss; plenum grommets in yellow):

https://www.dropbox.com/s/23vkellc90...ellow.jpg?dl=0

Remove EGR Ports cover;

https://www.dropbox.com/s/s9lfzsv5uq...cover.jpg?dl=0

Clean Cover:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/u2ez54z6u6...cover.jpg?dl=0

Carefully clean gasket:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xik5j3dzox...place.jpg?dl=0

Clean ports in Red, don't contaminate coolant in yellow:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/g5xu91weux...ellow.jpg?dl=0

I used 80psi compressed air to blow out all carbon deposits.

Re: HCH2 EGR Port Cleaning - HOWTO
 

Good write-up, the ChrisFix's video on youtube leaves much to be desired,

why disconnect the airhose at the airbox? I only disconnect on the manifold

Re: HCH2 EGR Port Cleaning - HOWTO
 

It may not be necessary. I had a lot easier time manipulating it with it disconnected from the air box.

Re: HCH2 EGR Port Cleaning - HOWTO
 

When I do it, I remove the bolts, lift up on it, then twist it and it slides off

Putting it back on is the hard part

Re: HCH2 EGR Port Cleaning - HOWTO
 

You just jogged my memory.

I disconnected it only at the airbox and fed it through. At assembly, I fed it back through, re-attached at the airbox, mounted plenum and rotated hose as needed.

This was a year and a half ago, and my mid-forties brain is leaking.

Editing post.

Re: HCH2 EGR Port Cleaning - HOWTO
 

That /does/ sound like a job...

*edit* Went to go check it because your post reminded me that was on my to-do list... couldn't find the socket bit for my impact... far too lazy to use a regular wrench now that I have the impact

Re: HCH2 EGR Port Cleaning - HOWTO
 

Oh... you're telling me... bought a cordless impact and OMFG... what took me so long to get one of these? I used it during motor mount and Cat replacement. Joy.

Re: HCH2 EGR Port Cleaning - HOWTO
 

Excellent info. Thanks for posting!

Re: HCH2 EGR Port Cleaning - HOWTO
 

Finally did this, I had a 4mm thick crusty deposit I had to cut off with a screw driver. Thicker in other parts. I did my best to not get it in holes by using a vacuum, but over all I got it all out. I try my best to clean that inner port where it goes down, but A screw driver and brush can only go so far.

Re: HCH2 EGR Port Cleaning - HOWTO
 

Pictures do not display. Is it me or the forum?

Re: HCH2 EGR Port Cleaning - HOWTO
 

It's me. I moved them from the target location.

Fixed

Re: HCH2 EGR Port Cleaning - HOWTO
 

I had a P0404 CEL light. I initially cleaned the EGR valve but the CEL came back immediately. I proceeded to replaced the EGR valve and the car ran fine for a few days but the CEL light returned. I did have the symptoms of the light pinging at cruise and at light throttle. I followed the instructions on this post and found that all four ports on the EGR chamber was block! I have attached photos before the cleaning! I followed your instructions and throughly clean and reassembled the EGR chamber. I am sure this will solve my CEL light but I will report back in a few days.

Not sure if the EGR replacement was necessary or does a failed EGR cause this type of carbon built-up?

Thanks for the informative post.

Jeff
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gre...98bb38e063.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gre...c2a05da16d.jpg

Re: HCH2 EGR Port Cleaning - HOWTO
 

I did not have to replace my EGR. Port clogging is a symptom of use/miles.

Re: HCH2 EGR Port Cleaning - HOWTO
 

Meant to post earlier ... really nice info ... I did my ports and got out a lot of carbon, even though I could see each of the four holes was still open. Car runs great, thanks all!

Re: HCH2 EGR Port Cleaning - HOWTO
 

Re: HCH2 EGR Port Cleaning - HOWTO
 

Wish granted. What are you? 12? :P

Re: HCH2 EGR Port Cleaning - HOWTO
 

Oh man... ! thanks for this info..

my 2006 Civic hybrid has 225,000 plus miles and have had pinging for about the last 20k miles..

had 1/2 inch of Carbon build up .. both inner cover and lower 4 holes were filled and i had to chisel it all out and now super excited to see how this improvement will result !

Re: HCH2 EGR Port Cleaning - HOWTO
 

So how badly have I messed up?

Im reading this thread and looking at the Dropbox pics AFTER I cleaned the EGR ports yesterday.

I wasn’t very cautious about letting the loosened debris fall into the coolant as I now see I should have been.

The car runs fine so far (I only drove it a little yesterday after cleaning the Egr chamber, and then a little again today after changing the spark plugs) but I have a small coolant leak from a small hose just below the Egr valve. Maybe related to me contaminating the coolant, I don’t know. I don’t even know what the hose is or where it goes to/from. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t leaking before. But my bigger concern is what is the potential damage from the loosened carbon debris having gotten into those channels?
I wish I’d consulted this thread and those pics before I did the job!

Re: HCH2 EGR Port Cleaning - HOWTO
 

I would do a coolant flush as soon as possible. The carbon is typically a fine powder or flakes. I doubt it would cause any major issues.

Re: HCH2 EGR Port Cleaning - HOWTO
 

Thanks for the quick response- and for posting the how-to originally!
When you say flush, do you mean simply a drain and refill or a more involved flushing of the entire system?

Re: HCH2 EGR Port Cleaning - HOWTO
 

A flush is more thorough, but a simple drain and fill is certainly better than nothing...especially when almost no one changes coolant in accordance with the maintenance schedule (me included).

Re: HCH2 EGR Port Cleaning - HOWTO
 

Thanks again!

Re: HCH2 EGR Port Cleaning - HOWTO
 

EGR port cover is stuck on and cannot remove easily. Any ideas on removing without damaging cover?

2006 HCH - 157,000 miles.

Re: HCH2 EGR Port Cleaning - HOWTO
 

S Keith Could you help w Code POA3F ?