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EGR Cleaning: What did I get myself into?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Bay Stater, Jan 1, 2018.

  1. Lightning Racer

    Lightning Racer Active Member

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    Purple Power was one of the first mentioned in the EGR cooler cleaning thread because it won some comparison test, and it really does work well. I got mine from pretty clogged to spotless/like-new in over the course of about a day. First you need to push all the way through each passageway with a stiff wire (hand rotating the wire as necessary) under running water at the sink. Then do soaks in Purple Power with the cooler plugged up. I actually started with a Purple Power soak before trying the wire, but would go straight to the wire poking first if I were to do it again.
     
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  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I saw a comparison (of diesel EGR cleaner?) where Purple Power was highly rated. Unfortunately it's hard to get locally. So first I went with brake cleaner, but the results were so-so.

    @mjoo suggested OxyClean; I had an enormous box of it on hand, so I gave it a try, with very good results.

    I suspect PP is similar formulation, a moderately caustic cleaner. Maybe some other trace ingredients, who knows.

    I prefer Oxy in powder format, buying a big bottle of liquid format cleaner is likely less economical?
     
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  3. Lightning Racer

    Lightning Racer Active Member

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    I got a gallon of Purple Power for around $6 at the local Walmart, so that was pretty cheap. I ended up using very little of it, so I'll find some other uses for the remaining.
     
  4. Bay Stater

    Bay Stater Senior Member

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    It doesn't hurt to use brake cleaner or soak with Oxi Clean to soften the crud before pushing a wire through the ports. I filed a point on the wire tip to aid easier push through. Done the ports twice, may do a third time. Been sick for the last few weeks so progress has been slow. :(
     
  5. Tande

    Tande Active Member

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    Has anyone tried This .......yes, a little steep, I know
     
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  6. leeb18c

    leeb18c Active Member

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    Head gasket is holding up great. Now I have no excuse and continue driving it.
    I got used to alot of torque from Volt and Prius feel like going no where unless I flooring the accelerator.
     
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  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Are you in ECO mode? That'll do it.
     
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  8. leeb18c

    leeb18c Active Member

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    I mostly drive in Power mode and sometimes Normal mode. It's just that the instant torque of electric motor in Volt that spoiled me. :)
     
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  9. Bay Stater

    Bay Stater Senior Member

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    The EGR Cooler is finally clean! It went through multiple rod poking through the ports and numerous Oxi-Clean washes. For fun, here are some before and after the cleaning pix.

    The EGR Valve.
    IMG_20171230_125358345.jpg IMG_20180128_163618838.jpg IMG_20171230_130146512.jpg IMG_20180128_163524135.jpg

    The EGR Cooler. You can see daylight through the ports!:cool: The 3rd pic looks like the solar eclipse I saw last Summer!:ROFLMAO:
    IMG_20171230_125419260.jpg IMG_20180128_162643472.jpg IMG_20180128_163100487.jpg

    The EGR Assembly reassembled and ready to be install in my car.:) About a month or two from now.:whistle:
    IMG_20180128_165507774.jpg
     
  10. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    You can definitely see visual improvement :).

    Good luck with the replacement (y).
     
  11. Bay Stater

    Bay Stater Senior Member

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    Well, the odometer now reads 120K miles. Time to start the colossal 120K DIY preventive maintenance. The best way to approach it is to break it down into multiple work days. Today I serviced the oil and the ATF. This is the 2nd time changing the ATF. The 1st service was done at 50K (I bought the car used with 40K on it). The ATF drained was darkest red in color. :eek:

    Over the next few weekends, will change the plugs, clean the IM, change the PCV, clean the EGR pipe, replace the EGR Valve/Cooler assembly with the one just cleaned.:cool: Maybe install an OCC during that time while the parts are off. :unsure: Still debating whether I want to do that.

    On another weekend day, will service the ICE/Inverter coolants.(y)
     
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  12. Bay Stater

    Bay Stater Senior Member

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    No more debate! I went ahead and ordered a Ruien OCC from Amazon. Had to get the vented version in order to have it by this Friday :), otherwise would have to wait for at least a month.:( Bought a 10 ft braided hose and 3/8 barb from Home Depot.
     
  13. RightOnTime

    RightOnTime Senior Member

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    Working on a 2010 Prius with over 300k. Previous owner used car as Taxi and let's just say this is the worse we seen!

    IMG_5404.JPG


    iPhone ?
     
  14. mjoo

    mjoo Senior Member

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    Wow. How does the exhaust manifold look?


    Pixel XL ?
     
  15. RightOnTime

    RightOnTime Senior Member

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    Ready for this?








    IMG_5386.JPG




    iPhone ?
     
  16. mjoo

    mjoo Senior Member

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    That's one stuffed turkey!

    Pixel XL ?
     
  17. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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  18. RightOnTime

    RightOnTime Senior Member

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    Owner got lucky! No burning of oil! Only major expense was the replacement of the Traction Battery


    iPhone ?
     
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  19. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Wouldn’t have guessed that based on the coking layer and appearance :eek:.
     
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  20. Bay Stater

    Bay Stater Senior Member

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    Kindly pass me the bucket. Blaaaah!
     
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