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EGR cooler cleaning

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by mhdriver, Sep 5, 2024 at 2:05 PM.

  1. mhdriver

    mhdriver Member

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    Can I soak it in something? I do have an ultrasonic cleaner but not too sure about that. I've been told not to use Purple Power. I could just soak it in mineral spirits for a week, then pressure wash it out. Looking for the easy way out, but I'd like to get it going today. This is a spare I bought on EBAY but the seller just cut it off a car, so it needs cleaning.

    Also, the hoses they cut off were pretty difficult to get off. I'm thinking I should just replace all the hoses that run to it.

    Trying to line it all up where I've got pristine, cleaned parts before I start the job. EGR valve and intake manifold are new. Ready to do the job the weekend after this one. I'd rather spend a little more and be completely ready. If I don't finish in a weekend, my wife will complain all week.
     
    #1 mhdriver, Sep 5, 2024 at 2:05 PM
  2. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    The quickest way is oven cleaner with a pressure washer.
    But if you plan on soaking it since it's a spare one, almost anything will work.

    Some use purple power, mineral spirits, gas, diesel, gunk, carb cleaner brake cleaner.....
    Some use some oxi stuff...... you'll have to change them out every few hours or so and unsure
    on how many times. But if you're not in a hurry....you could change it whenever you wanted too.

     
    #2 ASRDogman, Sep 5, 2024 at 2:36 PM
  3. mhdriver

    mhdriver Member

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    Will purple power damage it? I've got an ultrasonic parts cleaner I could use with that. Does amazing on many things, but I've heard it can damage car parts. Heck, rather than buying mineral spirits, I could soak it in gas for a week.
     
    #3 mhdriver, Sep 5, 2024 at 2:53 PM
  4. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Yea, I forgot to say something about that! I guess it couldn't hurt. Give it a try.
    I don't know what the othe people have used as the cleaner.

     
    #4 ASRDogman, Sep 5, 2024 at 3:05 PM
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Reading between the lines: this is an extra cooler you’ve bought?

    The cooler is stainless steel, should be ok with most anything, purple power included. . “Mineral spirits” likely a smelly/toxic waste of time though, and not that effective.

    how clogged is, rough percent.

    if it’s heavily clogged I’d try a strong lye solution. This is basically same as oven cleaner, but no extras, just lye, and stronger.

    light clogging, oxi-clean solution will suffice.

    instead of setting up massive buckets of solution just cork one end, with an inert rubber stopper. The smaller end hole is 21mm diameter. Interior volume is about one cup; pour it in, prop up, wait an hour, rinse and repeat till clean.

    see my signature, top two links for some more info. On a phone turn it landscape to see signatures.
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Sep 5, 2024 at 7:23 PM
    Beeach likes this.
  6. mhdriver

    mhdriver Member

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    Yes, it's the one I bought off Ebay. Someone cut it off a car without cleaning it. Doesn't seem terrible. I have it soaking in a very small container full of gas at this time. Just perfectly sized for the EGR. I'm letting that go on for a few days then I'll switch to oven cleaner. I don't know how to tell the difference between a clogged one or not. I do know if I put it in my ultrasonic cleaner with Purple Power, that will zap most anything out of it. I think after the oven cleaner, I'll hit it with that. I cleaned the EGR pipe with it, came out amazing.
     
    #6 mhdriver, Sep 6, 2024 at 10:52 AM
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  7. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Using gasoline is extrememly dangerous. Hope you are using a plastic container.....
    A spark could prove to be a bummer...
     
    #7 ASRDogman, Sep 6, 2024 at 2:51 PM
  8. mhdriver

    mhdriver Member

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    I'm being careful, believe me. Gas is extremely dangerous.
     
    #8 mhdriver, Sep 6, 2024 at 3:32 PM
  9. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    I'll watch the news for the next few days....... :whistle:
     
    #9 ASRDogman, Sep 6, 2024 at 4:29 PM
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