Are you a 2000 to 2015 Ford Mustang owner with a defective EGR valve? I’m sorry to hear about your issue, but I have some great news for you.
Instead of spending up to $500 having an expert mechanic replace your EGR valve, you can do it yourself and save yourself considerable money.
In this blog post, I’ll explain what an EGR valve does in vehicles and how to replace one on a 2000 – 2015 Ford Mustang.
Key Takeaway
How To Replace The EGR Valve On Ford Mustang (2000-2015)
- Scan the vehicle to verify that the EGR valve is bad.
- Open the hood and locate the EGR valve.
- Disconnect and remove the faulty EGR valve.
- Install the new EGR valve.
- Start your vehicle and wait for the check engine light to go off.
What is The EGR Valve Used For In Vehicles
Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is an efficient technology used to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from vehicles. EGR can be utilized on both gasoline and diesel engines, with diesel producing significantly more nitrogen oxide than their petrol-burning counterparts.
This proves especially beneficial for diesel-engined vehicles since they produce significantly more nitrogen oxide than their gasoline-powered counterparts do.
The EGR valve can reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 30% by simply recirculating some of the exhaust gases back into the combustion chamber for burning again.
Unfortunately, this mechanism only activates at certain speeds because recirculated exhaust gases are hot and your engine requires fresh cold air for optimal performance; hence why your EGR valve only activates between 1000 RPMs and 1500 RPMs.
The EGR system features a valve that opens and shuts based on throttle application. When driving at low RPMs, the EGR valve
remains completely open, allowing more exhaust gases to be recirculated back into the combustion chamber. Conversely, when applying full throttle, all exhaust gases are shut off from entering into combustion again.
Bigger engines typically feature one EGR valve on each side. Furthermore, in high-performance vehicles where temperatures remain high, the EGR system also features a cooler.
A malfunctioning EGR valve can lead to various issues like a check engine light, reduced engine power, and black smoke coming from the exhaust pipe.
How To Replace The EGR Valve On Ford Mustang (2000-2015)
Replacing an EGR valve on a Ford Mustang from 2000 to 2015 requires basic skills and guidance, but without proper instructions, it could become a complex mess.
So, follow these steps below and by the end of this article you will know exactly how to replace the EGR valve on a Ford Mustang (2000 – 2015).
1. Required tools for the job
- Scanning tool (OBD2)
- New EGR valve
- 10-millimeter socket
- Safety goggles and gloves
2. Diagnose a bad EGR valve
Before removing any part of the vehicle that you suspect has gone bad, it is best to actually diagnose it. To diagnose a bad EGR valve, you will need a scanning tool. There are a lot of scanning tools and some of them are pretty expensive. However, I have been using this scanning tool that I got from amazon.com for $55 and it does wonders.
To diagnose a malfunctioning EGR valve, you will need to attach your scanning tool to the car’s computer. To do this, take off the steering wheel and locate an OBD 2 port. Connect your scanner and start it; select scan vehicle and wait a couple of minutes.
Error codes associated with a faulty EGR valve are:
- P0400 Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Malfunction
- P0401 Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Insufficient Detected
- P0402 Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Excessive Detected
- P0403 Exhaust Gas Recirculation Circuit Malfunction
- P0404 Exhaust Gas Recirculation Circuit Range/Performance
- P0405 Exhaust Gas Recirculation Sensor A Circuit Low
- P0406 Exhaust Gas Recirculation Sensor A Circuit High
- P0407 Exhaust Gas Recirculation Sensor B Circuit Low
- P0408 Exhaust Gas Recirculation Sensor B Circuit High
- P0409 Exhaust Gas Recirculation Sensor A Circuit
- P0486 Exhaust Gas Recirculation Sensor B Circuit
- P0487 Exhaust Gas Recirculation Throttle Position Control Circuit
- P0488 Exhaust Gas Recirculation Throttle Position Control Range/Performance
- P0489 Exhaust Gas Recirculation Control Circuit Low
- P0490 Exhaust Gas Recirculation Control Circuit Low
If you get any of the above codes, especially P0400, P0401, and P0402, it means that the EGR valve is faulty and needs replacing.
3. Locate the EGR valve
On the 2000 to 2015 Ford Mustang vehicles, the EGR valve is located on the front center of the engine, right next to the oil cap. The EGR valve has a round shape and it has either a vacuum hose or an electrical cord on top of it. The older Ford Mustangs have a vacuum line, whereas the newer models have electrical connectors on the EGR valve.
If you are not sure where the EGR valve is located on your Ford Mustang, you can always check the owner’s manual. It will tell you the exact location of the EGR valve.
4. Disconnect and remove the faulty EGR valve
Like I said before, the EGR valve can either be run by a vacuum line or an electrical power. In order to remove the faulty EGR valve, you will need to disconnect the line that powers it. So, remove the vacuum line or the electrical connector and get it out of the way. Just make sure it doesn’t get in contact with some oil or water.
Then, grab a 10-millimeter socket and remove the bolts on the EGR valve. There are usually two to three bolts that hold the EGR valve in place. Remove them carefully and store the bolts for later. If you are using a socket with an extension, you might need to remove the oil cap to gain more access.
5. Install the new EGR valve
The new EGR valve for your Ford Mustang might come with new screws. If that is the case, then use the new screws. However, if not, you can always use the old screws (if they are not broken or damaged). So, first, insert the screws and then attach the EGR valve to the engine. Tighten the new EGR valve using a 10-millimeter socket. Then, reconnect the electrical cord/vacuum lines. Make sure they are connected properly.
6. Start your vehicle and scan it with a scanning tool
After you successfully have installed the new EGR valve, there shouldn’t be any issues with your vehicle anymore. However, the error codes can still be found. Depending on which tool you have, you can scan your vehicle and delete the error codes. Then, drive the vehicle for about 100 miles and see if the code comes back.
How Much Does It Cost To Get EGR Valve Cleaned
Getting your EGR valve cleaned, can cost you around $10 (to buy a carb cleaner) if you do it or around $100 if you take your vehicle to the repair shop. I would suggest you try to clean your EGR valve first as it might solve the issue. Here is how to clean your EGR valve without removing it. If this doesn’t solve the problem, then you can take your vehicle to the mechanic shop.
