Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Cleaning EGR ports.. Did Ford Dealer bend me over?

Recently I was driving with my low fuel light on, and when I hit the gas, the car stuttered violently and almost stalled. After which, I came on here and found some posts talking about the fuel pump going bad. Since I have an extended warranty, I took my car to the local Ford dealer. They called and said that yes, the fuel pump was the problem and is covered under warranty. However, they told me that they "highly recommended" cleaning the EGR ports and recalibrating the ECM. This of course was not covered under warranty and cost me $237. On top of that when I picked up my car they threw in an extra $20 charge for "shop supplies". The real kicker is, when I brought my car in I had just filled up, and when I got it back it was below a quarter tank. I don't even want to bother complaining to them, this is the fourth Ford dealer I have been to in as many years, and sadly this was my best experience with them. My real question is, why would my EGR ports need cleaning if my car only has 45000 miles? I don't know enough about it to argue with the dealer, but I thought someone on here might know. Oh yeah, they also tried to charge me $60 to replace the fuel filter, but when I told them I had just replaced it myself at 30000 miles they shut up. I pity people who take their cars in to dealers who don't know anything about their car. Anyway, enough ranting, what exactly are the EGR ports and why were they (supposedly) so dirty??

Welcome to CEG!

All newer cars seem to suffer this plague although they should not have required cleaning till 70,000 miles for the first time.

The EGR ports are fairly small passages in the intake manifold through which some exhaust gasses travel. Ash and oil residue cause them to clog up. Newer cars will throw a CEL to indicate that there is a problem. The exhaust gasses reduce the combustion temperature and therby reduce nitrogen oxide pollution and also reduce fuel octane requirements.

Use the search function, read around, and next time you go to a stealership, awe them with your knowledge.

Thanks, I guess its true you learn something new every day. My CEL never came on, so I guess I'll never know if the ports really needed cleaning or not. I almost wish I didn't have the extended warranty, then I wouldn't feel guilty about taking it to a competent mechanic.

Unfortunately, I am one of those people you pity. But I am learning. I know computer systems, networks, infrastructure. But I am no mechanic!!

I'm in the same boat. I will be doing the induction cleaning this weekend as well as cleaning the EGR ports. My CEL is throwing a P0401 and my mileage has gone down some. With my commute of nearly 80 miles a day, it makes a difference.

I spent $110 at the dealership to have them do a diagnostic. Yes, I got bent over!! But next time around, I will be a little more wise on what to do.

svtrob, you got bent over pretty good. PepBoys will do a cleaning for about $80 plus another $10 or so for gaskets.

you could have done it yourself with an hours time, some simple hand tools and $10 in supplies & gaskets.

Keep studying the site & you'll learn all about your car, get handy with tools, and most importantly become empowered with knowledge when you deal with shops & dealerships.

Hang in there, man...