What is an EGR Delete? (Pros & Cons)

Is your car’s engine not running smoothly? Or does your vehicle have a rough idle? Maybe you noticed a reduction in performance that just got worse over time? Then there might be something wrong with your EGR system.

If you’ve been experiencing any of these issues and might think it has something to do with the EGR valve, or looking for a way to increase your car’s performance and horsepower, you might’ve heard about EGR delete.

In this article, we’ll explain what EGR is, how it affects your car, and what an EGR delete is. We will also list the pros and cons of doing one. Keep reading to learn more!

What Is EGR?

EGR is short for Exhaust Gas Recirculation and is an emission control device (EGR valve) designed to reduce nitrous oxide, NOx, emissions from combustion engines.

The purpose of the EGR valve is to recirculate a portion of an engine’s exhaust gases back into the inlet manifold to be combusted again. This process helps lower NOx emissions because it reduces the amount of oxygen available for combustion and keeps the car within legal pollution limits.

While the EGR is designed to reduce NOx emissions, it does have some downsides. One of the main downsides is that it can cause a build-up of soot and deposits in the engine, resulting in clogged intake systems which can cause the engine to run less efficiently and higher fuel consumption. This issue is mainly related to diesel engines.

In addition, the EGR can also add unnecessary stress on the engine and cause it to wear out faster.

Do All Cars Have an EGR Valve?

No, not all cars have an EGR valve. Some use what’s called “internal EGR” that has the same purpose, to reduce emissions and air pollution.

However, all modern cars, especially diesel cars, have some form of EGR or EGR valve to help reduce emissions and keep the vehicle within legal pollution limits.

How to Fix EGR Valve Issues

If you are confident that your EGR valve might be causing problems, there are three ways to fix a dysfunctional or clogged EGR valve.

The first way is to have the EGR valve cleaned, which can be done by a professional mechanic and usually costs around $100-$200.

The second way is to replace the EGR valve entirely, tho this is a more expensive option, costing around $400-$1000, but it will hopefully fix the problem permanently. Most DIY mechanics can replace an EGR valve relatively easily, and it doesn’t usually require special tools.

The third way is EGR delete. You can buy and install aftermarket kits instead of the EGR valve. Please note that this modification to the car can cause your vehicle not to be street legal and cause other types of problems. We will discuss this more in terms of the pros and cons later in this article.

There is a 4th way. The 4th way is by turning off the EGR by tuning. This makes the installation a lot easier and reduces the chances of anything going wrong. This might also be a better choice for a more modern car with the option to do the tuning. But this might not help you already have clogged valves.

What Is EGR Delete?

EGR delete is a modification to the EGR system that removes the purpose of exhaust gas recirculation. This can be done by either disconnecting the EGR valve by tuning or removing it entirely with an aftermarket EGR delete kit.

Preventing the EGR from recirculating exhaust gases back into the inlet manifold helps to improve engine performance and efficiency. It may extend the life of your car’s engine if done the right way!

Some Dyno tests have shown that an EGR delete increased the horsepower by as much as 15%. Please note that this doesn’t mean that you’ll see a 15% increase in your car’s performance or any essential difference at all. Tested vehicles could’ve had significantly reduced engine performance by clogged or dysfunctional EGR valves before the EGR delete.

However, there are also some downsides to removing the EGR valve. One of the biggest is that it can void the warranty on your vehicle. In addition, an EGR delete will most likely guarantee that your car fails emissions tests.

There are more cons with EGR delete. Make sure to read our pros and cons.

So, Should You Do an EGR Delete?

The answer to this question depends on a few factors, such as warranty, cost, emission tests, or if you are looking to increase your car’s performance.

However, it is essential to know that even tho an EGR delete can help prevent some expensive repairs or improve performance, it can also cause significant problems in other parts of your engine if not done right.

So, if you are considering an EGR delete, you might want to consult a professional mechanic before deciding.

EGR delete pros

1. Increased Throttle Response

One benefit of an EGR delete is increased throttle response. With the EGR valve removed, there is one less restriction in the engine, which can lead to a slight increase in horsepower.

2. Improved Fuel Efficiency

You might think that anything that can improve fuel efficiency is worth considering, and an EGR delete can do just that. Removing the possibly clogged EGR valve can cause less restriction and stress on the engine, leading to slightly improved fuel efficiency.

Please note that an EGR delete is not a magic solution for poor fuel economy, and you shouldn’t expect to see a significant increase.

3. More Power

One of the main reasons people consider an EGR delete is for more power. Who doesn’t want more power? And while an EGR delete can lead to a small increase in horsepower, it’s most important to know that it’s not a guaranteed increase and might go unnoticed by the average driver.

4. Increased Torque

With increased power and less stress on the engine, you might see a small increase in torque. This can be beneficial if you use your car for towing or hauling heavy loads.

5. Longer Engine Life

With the EPA commissions and the requirements for emissions, the EGR systems were put into place to help reduce air pollution. However, those systems often lead to increased wear and tear on the engine. So, by doing an EGR delete, you might extend your engine’s life.

6. Lowers Engine Temperature

Over time, the soot and carbon build-up might cause the engine’s temperature to increase. If your car has issues with clogging caused by the EGR valve, removing it can help lower the engine temperature.

You might want to consider other options for a clogged EGR valve, like replacing the EGR valve or cleaning it.

7. Smoother Engine Operation

If your problem is poor idle or the engine doesn’t run smoothly, and you think it might be the EGR valve causing it, then removing it can be the answer. A good idea is to first consult with a professional mechanic since a poorly running engine can be caused by many different things.

8. Less Carbon build-up and Clogging

Bypassing the Exhaust Gas Recirculator means that you won’t have the common issues with clogging systems, which might result in fewer breakdowns and fewer repairs.

9. It Might Prevent DPF Failure

You might have heard about DPF (Diesel Particle Filter). It is also a device made to reduce emissions by capturing exhaust soot. However, those particle filters don’t have finite capacity.

With an EGR delete, you might be able to slow down that process and prevent DPF failure, at least for a little longer.

EGR Delete Cons

1. It Might Cause Damage to Your Engine

If you do an EGR delete without taking the proper steps to tune your engine properly, there is a chance it can cause damage to your engine or create other problems.

The whole EGR system is designed to work together, including the EGR valve and EGR cooler. This system controls the amount of oxygen that goes into the engine, controlling temperature and keeping it in range.

When performing an EGR delete, you might create an environment with higher temperatures and pressure that could eventually create severe problems like overheating and a knocking engine.

2. You Might Fail the Emission Test

When bypassing the exhaust gas recirculation, your car will most certainly fail an emission test.

So, if you live in an area where emission tests are mandatory, you should consider if doing an EGR delete is the right thing for you.

3. It Is Not Street Legal

It is not illegal to remove an EGR valve, but you are essentially disabling a vital part of your emissions control system.

The illegal part is using a car that has been modified so that it no longer meets the standards of air pollutant emissions.

This may not only cause your car to fail an emissions test but also put you at risk of getting a hefty ticket.

4. Voids Warranty

Not only is it street illegal to drive a car that doesn’t meet the emission requirements, but it will also void your car’s warranty. So, it might not be the best idea to do an EGR delete if your engine is still under warranty.

5. You are Contributing to Air Pollution

As we mentioned before, the EGR system was put in place to help reduce air pollution. So, by doing an EGR delete, you contribute to air pollution.

6. Some Repair Shops Will No Longer Work on Your Engine

Since you are essentially disabling a vital part of your emission control system and causing your car not to be street legal, there is a chance a mechanic could notice. 

If the mechanic finds out that you’ve done an EGR delete, they might refuse to do any work on your engine or void any warranties they have.

Summary

An EGR delete is the process of removing your car’s Exhaust Gas Recirculator (EGR). This device helps to reduce emissions by capturing exhaust soot. However, it can also cause carbon build-up and clogging, leading to engine damage.

While an EGR delete has some pros, like improved engine performance and less carbon build-up and clogging, there are also some significant cons.

These include the fact that it is illegal to drive a car with an EGR delete, it voids your car’s warranty, and you are contributing to air pollution. It can also cause damage to your engine. However, if you consult with a professional mechanic and take the proper steps, you can avoid these risks.

So, while an EGR delete might have some benefits, you should weigh the risks before deciding if it’s right for you.

Whether or not you decide to do an EGR delete is up to you, but we hope this article has helped you learn more about the EGR system and how it works. Thanks for reading!

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Rickard Cefalk

Rickard is the owner of Caraspect.com and a dedicated and avid do-it-yourselfer who has always enjoyed working on his own vehicles since childhood. He now devotes his time to sharing his expert knowledge of car maintenance and other car-related information through his website.

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