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Table of Contents
Intro
EGR stands for exhaust gas recirculation and is used in gasoline and diesel engines. In internal combustion engines, EGR is a technique used to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.
It works by recirculating a portion of an engine’s exhaust gas back to the engine’s intake. This process keeps the engine cool while maintaining good fuel efficiency.
Of course, it also reduces emissions - thereby keeping in tandem with the law.
Exhaust gas recirculation
It is for these reasons that many people chose to remove (delete) their EGR. Of course, this is not a decision to be taken lightly as thee are advantage and disadvantages of deleting your EGR.
Here at DoNotDPFDelete.green, we always recommend not deleting devices that reduce harmful emissions.
However, we are open to debate and so we discuss the pros and cons below:
EGR Delete Kits Pros
These delete kits are easy to install on most diesel engines
Most diesel engines have an EGR valve that collects a lot of soot over time. The high soot content hinders proper airflow in the engine, increasing the risk of the deposit being reintroduced in the engine.
However, an EGR delete kit bypasses the valve to work and restore the engine power. Most of the kits will enable diesel engines to begin performing almost the same as the original results immediately.
1. Improve fuel efficiency
When you restore your diesel engine power levels, you also restore its overall fuel efficiency. The EGR delete kit allows you to send the exhaust gas out of the engine, making it run cleaner.
Egr effect on fuel consumption
That means the process is highly efficient, and it reduces the risk of diesel filter failure. It can give you up to 20% improvement on your fuel economy while boosting the longevity of the engine.
2. It Works on Modified Diesel Engines
The EGR system on modified diesel engines clogs the same as those that are unmodified. Delete kits create the same results regardless of the type of engine your vehicle uses.
This process may cause other clogging issues with some engines, but the EGR delete kit solves your performance issues and improves the gas mileage simultaneously.
3. The kit lowers the engine temperature
When the EGR system valve or coolers get clogged with soot, the exhaust gases start circulating in the system more often.
The blockage results in an increase in temperatures around the engine. By bypassing this design part, you can produce lower levels of exhaust gas and promote a lower temperature that cools the engine when operating.
4. EGR Delete kits are very affordable for most vehicles
With some vehicles, EGR delete kits are available for less than $100. Though this option won’t help with larger, modern diesel engines already dealing with several issues, small cars can benefit immensely from this process. You can also consider turning off the EGR through the tuning.
If you chose to turn off the EGR, you wouldn’t need to unplug the unit. That makes the installation a lot easier and reduces the risk of anything going wrong. Technically, it’s an “EGR disable” instead of delete, though it works excellently.
5. It may extend your engine’s life
Most modern diesel engines are mainly tuned around emissions, often sacrificing the engine’s longevity and economy.
By reducing the soot emission in your vehicle’s engine, the EGR delete kit significantly improves your engine’s longevity. That’s because soot is an abrasive substance that causes wear and tear.
6. Advances throttle response
If your car comes with an EGR valve, then you have low power and poor throttle response issues.
An EGR delete modification gives you the feeling of more power and advances the throttle response without sacrificing the engine life or fuel economy.
7. It’s a preventive measure for DPF failure
The diesel particulate filter (DPF) efficiently traps all the exhaust soot from your diesel engine, but it only has a finite capacity. As such, the soot needs to be emptied periodically or burnt to regenerate the filter.
Nonetheless, your vehicle’s EGR valve can cause a DPF failure as it’s mainly aimed at minimizing nitrogen oxide emissions. That allows the carbon dust in the exhaust gasses to clog the system.
When the system clogs, the EGR valve doesn’t function properly, and neither does the engine.
That may lead to fuel inefficiency and increased carbon dust production, jamming the DPF. However, an EGR delete kit cuts down the amount of soot produced and reduces the chances of a DPF failure.
8. Fewer breakdowns, fewer repairs
Not only does the EGR delete to reduce the chances of a DPF failure, but it also minimizes the overall wear and tear of engine parts.
That means you can significantly reduce engine repairs in your vehicle.
9. Maximizes engine power
By reducing the heat combustion in the engine, your vehicle can run smoothly without overheating or having to work harder.
That means you can enjoy improved engine power at your normal fuel consumption rate.
EGR Delete Kits Cons
The kit can increase the exhaust gas temperature
A diesel engine normally cools the exhaust gases and re-circulates them into the system. However, bypassing the feature using an EGR delete kit makes the exhaust to remain hot.
That increases the temperature of the exhaust gas and affects the overall efficiency of the engine cooling system.
Egr and gas temperatures
Since the gases remain in the engine, the kit can lead to oil fouling since there’s no way of removing the contaminants.
As such, an EGR valve replacement may be the best option for some vehicles compared to this kit.
1. It doesn’t shield the system from being stuck while open
When you bypass the EGR system using a delete kit, you take advantage of the situation if the valve or coolers are clogged.
However, if the system gets stuck in an open position, then the EGR can go very bad. The engine will have trouble starting in some vehicles, and you’ll also notice the car struggling to stay engaged in idle mode.
If the vehicle works fine at high RPMs or high speeds but struggles when idling with it, then the EGR delete kit will not remedy the situation.
2. Not street legal in the US
If you’re thinking of buying an EGR delete kit for your car, then you need to know that it’s not a street legal modification.
The kit doesn’t strictly adhere to the federal emission regulations governing engine used today. It may be what you need in your vehicle, but it presents its unique set of limitations.
You may clog the EGR system due to soot recirculation just as the valves and coolers get blocked as the vehicle operates.
3. Only allowed for off-road trucks
Due to the pollution implications associated with EGR delete kits, it’s illegal to install these kits on any vehicle that’s actively used on the road.
Nonetheless, you’re free to install the kit in off-road trucks. You can also add this modification on your vehicle if you’re using it to race on the tracks.
4. It might reduce the overall horsepower
EGR delete kits usually come to mind when dealing with older diesel engine vehicles. The design issues in the earlier generation products allowed a bypass to create space for clean air inside the combustion chamber. Theoretically, better air gives you a more efficient power source.
Unlike older engines, modern diesel vehicles struggle to take benefit from this due to design change. That means you might have to work with less horsepower when using an EGR delete kit.
5. You might fail the state emission tests
If you’re using an EGR delete kit as a way to bypass your vehicle’s system, there’s a 99% chance of failing your state’s emission test.
In most U.S states, it’s also a federal crime to add this modification to your vehicle. Nonetheless, you won’t be jail time by adding this kit, but you could get fined up to $10,000 depending on your location. The kind of vehicle you drive and the amount of time you drive it may also affect the fine amount.
6. It may cause your engine to knock
Using an EGR kit might cause some engines to start knocking after completing the modification work.
The issue may be caused by the change in the temperature profile of your engine. The knock can also occur if the oil that goes through the engine starts to degrade faster than normal.
This issue may increase your engine’s wear and tear or end its useful life permanently if left unaddressed for a long time.
7. A blocked valve can create an EGR delete system
If the EGR valve is blocked already, then you already have an EGR delete system without having to install a kit.
As such, some vehicle owners opt to keep the valve instead of buying a delete kit.
Blocked egr valve
The valve has no performance advantages on the average diesel engine, but most people experience several adverse effects when running an EGR delete kit.
That’s because there are more legal concerns and risks involved in the modification. That means you should use them at your peril.
8. Typically costs as much as the EGR valve
If you decide to install an EGR delete kit, you can expect to pay around $200, and the cost could run up to $1,000, including the cost of installation.
This price is almost the same amount you would pay to get an EGR valve replacement. However, a valve won’t need you to install a new coolant filter or flush the radiator like the EGR delete kit demands.
9. The kit requires a tuning kit for optimal performance
With most modern diesel engine vehicles with an EGR, you need failure codes to detect the accuracy of the present EGR flow.
Using only the delete kit may illuminate the engine light and affect the overall performance. That means most people with modern cars will need an additional tuning kit for optimal performance.
Recap
If you are considering EGR delete, you need to consider it carefully. This is especially true if you are making modifications to a car that you are going to drive on the open streets.
There are legal implications as well as other important implications. As such, it is entirely your decisions as to whether to delete your EGR or not.
However, we recommend that whatever you do, ensure that you do so in accordance with the applicable laws that govern your state/country.