EGR P0300 / Avoiding paying 'The Man'

[JerMe]

I've got a beautiful 2003 Mazda Protege 5 fresh off of factory warrenty. As expected... days after warrenty expires I have an issue.

The car started to idle rough... then it went away. It came back two days later (It was a rainy day, both days.. if that matters).

Rough idle came back.. stayed.. and about 15min later the check engine light came on. I brought it to the dealer who charged me $94.00 to tell me that "TECH. Found code P0300. TECH." ... translation -- I need to replace my EGR valve... for a cost of $399.99 + tax.. I promptly tell him to lick balls and left.

Questions follow:

Can the EGR valve just be cleaned?
On a scale on 1-10 how hard is this to get at and CLEAN myself?
On a scale on 1-10 how hard is this to get at and REPLACE myself?

I'd be happy spending what I need on the tools and manuals I need to do this myself and gain the experience of working on my baby myself instead of paying 'The Man' ......... suggestions?

[aMaff]

Welcome, and sorry to hear abt ur trouble. Anyway, ya, you can clean it. Here's the how to

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94788&

[boostisgood]

P0300 is a random misfire. (it dont know what cylinder it was in, but there was one) an EGR COULD possibly cause this issue.

Now, as far as cleaning or replacing it. read in here http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94788

Now if it is damaged, your gonna hve to REPLACE it aslo found there.

[aMaff]

Too slow! HAHA! ;). Good info abt the CEL tho...

[JerMe]

Welcome, and sorry to hear abt ur trouble. Anyway, ya, you can clean it. Here's the how to

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94788&

Wow...

a) thanks for the reply --
b) I feel bad for not searching the forums first... you can bet I will next time

being out of warrenty is bitter sweet.. now that warrenty is up it's time to start modding :) I'll take a look at this tonight.

Cheers,
Jeremy

[aMaff]

being out of warrenty is bitter sweet.. now that warrenty is up it's time to start modding :) I'll take a look at this tonight.
That's all I'm waiting for...and to be done w/ school so I can work full time lol (COME ON, SUMMER!!!)

[igdrasil]

I have a couple of egr valves in stock, they came from my spare engines, low mileage, but you can take your time and clean it as you like then replace.

$35 shipped to you.

[JerMe]

I have a couple of egr valves in stock, they came from my spare engines, low mileage, but you can take your time and clean it as you like then replace.

$35 shipped to you.


Thanks! Thats a hell of a lot better than what Mazda wanted to charge.. I'll send you a message within a week either way to let you know...


--Someone mentioned that the EGR valve *may* be the cause of the P0300 -- can anyone suggest some other potential candidates for the error code?

I'm at 60,000km so I'm going to replace wires and plugs tonight.
I'll run some fule injector cleaner through it
(My car hasnt had a tune up in almost a year)

I've searched and found some other potential things to check... can anyone suggest an 'order' of likelyhood for the following? :

one of coil pack(cylinder 2)
1st and 2nd cat
fule pump

Lastly... am I potentially damaging my car running it like this? Should I avoid driving?

Cheers,
Jeremy

[ProtoType5]

Hey, I'd be interested in an extra EGR if possible...I cleaned mine recently and couldn't take the time it would require to fully clean it....Would you throw in the EGR pipe as well....Mine's got a bit of modification done to it after the OBX header went on.

[djdanny5000]

Hey, I'd be interested in an extra EGR if possible...I cleaned mine recently and couldn't take the time it would require to fully clean it....Would you throw in the EGR pipe as well....Mine's got a bit of modification done to it after the OBX header went on.
I would also like to know this info also how much would it cost me if you ship it to 33406

P.S. sorry for thread jacking

[igdrasil]

sure...It longer than the box I was going to use to shipout. If you are really interested, let me know. $8 extra for the pipe

[ProtoType5]

pm'd ya....

[ProtoType5]

As to not be a total thread jacker about the dudes problems....

Cleaning the EGR goes on about the 5 level for me....Easy enough to get out, scraping a couple knuckles....Hard as hell to clean up really well, but if you clean the plunger?? or springy part, it will make all the difference...The problem is that it gets stuck closed or open and makes for bad idling. Putting the EGR back in is sort of a guessing game getting everything lined up is a PITA, but not rocket science. Check the thread and see for yourself....I did the cleaning when I put in my CAI and it went smooth, just need some super power cleaner if you want it to look anywhere near new....BTW I cleaned mine at about 55,000 miles, so it is likely yours is pretty gummed up....

[peepsalot]

if igradsil runs out, I got a spare egr.

[SkinnyJoint]

sure...It longer than the box I was going to use to shipout. If you are really interested, let me know. $8 extra for the pipe

extra engines??? u get alot of the 2.0 mazda engines or u using somthing else?

[igdrasil]

extra engines??? u get alot of the 2.0 mazda engines or u using somthing else?

Well, I have 1 spare, 2 partial engines (sold some parts). Since the day I blew my 1st engine, Im buying spare engines and other parts. I have like 3 of each stuff...

[SkinnyJoint]

hahah not a bad move i suppose, well ill be coming to u when some shit blows up :)

[JRRobiso]

Well, I have 1 spare, 2 partial engines (sold some parts). Since the day I blew my 1st engine, Im buying spare engines and other parts. I have like 3 of each stuff...

On one of your posts earlier, you mentioned that you have an extra EGR valve for the 2.0 engine (I currently have an automatic 2002 P5) for sale. I'm currently having issues w/ my car (P0300 Code) and the dealership can't figure out what's wrong with or causing it. If you still have an extra EGR for my car, would pay ASAP via PayPal & have it shipped to Scottsdale, AZ 85257.

Let me know if you will accept my offer by emailing me @ JRRobiso@cox.net

Thanks for your quick response.

[JRRobiso]

if igradsil runs out, I got a spare egr.
================================================== ========
Interested in EGR for $35
Quote:
Originally Posted by igdrasil
Well, I have 1 spare, 2 partial engines (sold some parts). Since the day I blew my 1st engine, Im buying spare engines and other parts. I have like 3 of each stuff...

On one of your posts earlier, you mentioned that you have an extra EGR valve for the 2.0 engine (I currently have an automatic 2002 P5) for sale. I'm currently having issues w/ my car (P0300 Code) and the dealership can't figure out what's wrong with or causing it. If you still have an extra EGR for my car, would pay ASAP via PayPal & have it shipped to Scottsdale, AZ 85257.

Let me know if you will accept my offer by emailing me @ JRRobiso@cox.net

Thanks for your quick response.
================================================== ========


Will be interested if igdrasil runs out.

[igdrasil]

Sorry for the late...heres one set I have. The other one is still installed on the manifold.