Would EGR cause bad start?

[mindaugas]

Drove all day in the mountains yesterday and after about 8 hours the check engine light came on. The VX also seemed to lose some power going up Vail pass on I-70, but not horrible, I could hold 60 in 3, so maybe that's normal. I haven't checked the code, but last time it came on (in Feb) it was the EGR. I didn't replace the EGR, just bought a new gasket and cleaned it. Reset battery and check engine went away.

I've had an ongoing problem though, the first start in the morning is perfect, VX starts up and sits a little over 1k RPM. After driving it, even just 30 minutes, starting it up again takes 2 - sometimes 3 tries. Especially if it's warm out. The longer I drive, the harder to start. Park it overnight and in the morning it's fine again. No overheat issue at all, temp is always below half. When the check engine light came on, I pulled over right away and checked the oil and just looked for anything loose around the motor. Oil was perfect (just changed it, mobil1 of course).

Does anyone think an EGR would cause this? Is it one of those things I should just replace, since it probably never was ... ? I've been avoiding it since it's a $150 part. Thanks!

[VXobsession]

I just replaced my EGR yesterday. My VX has been doing exactly what yours is, and the idle was also very choppy for the last couple of days. The EGR is very easy to replace. When I took my old one off, it was stuck open and was very dirty. The idle was very low and choppy when it would get stuck open like that, but it didn't stay like that. Sometimes it would work correctly and the vehicle ran correctly.

[mindaugas]

Thanks, yeah it's super easy to replace, just trying to avoid more repair costs. I just spent $1k for tires, oil, and alignment. I don't think it's stuck open, idle is actually really good, even when it has problems starting. Once I get it started that is.

That's the other thing, when check engine came on and I pulled over. I could get it started, but it would die right away, just wouldn't hold idle. I started it, held my foot on the gas to keep idle, and put it in gear. In gear it seemed to be fine ...

[Ldub]

IMO, it sounds more like a fuel pressure regulator issue.

Fairly common, with identical symptoms.

[Ldub]

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=16901&highlight=fpr

[mindaugas]

Excellent, that sounds more like it. Thanks!

..and linky in case someone reads this in the future with same issue. Here is how to replace it, looks slightly more difficult than the EGR.

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=12021&highlight=fuel+pressure+regulator

[Gizmo42]

I agree with LDub on the FPR. That rear allen sucks to get out. I bought some cheapy allens from the $1 bin at the auto parts store to cut up. After I got the wrench on the bolt I used a box end wrench to act like a cheater bar to break the bolt loose, it was very tight. The I replaced the allens with standard bolts.

Getting the FPR back together enough to put the snap ring back on was a whole other issue.

[mindaugas]

Grr, I got the FPR and then stripped the first bolt.

[mindaugas]

btw, changing the FPR and EGR fixed the problem. It was probably just the FPR, but since my EGR gave a check engine code before I replaced it as well.

[Axelivan]

Excellent, that sounds more like it. Thanks!

..and linky in case someone reads this in the future with same issue. Here is how to replace it, looks slightly more difficult than the EGR.

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=12021&highlight=fuel+pressure+regulator

I changed mine, look my gallery for the improvised tool I made for the back allen.:yesgray:

[mindaugas]

I changed mine, look my gallery for the improvised tool I made for the back allen.

I used the keys to start the ignition and drive it to a shop :(

[circmand]

I changed mine, look my gallery for the improvised tool I made for the back allen.:yesgray:

I had it for a week when I did mine and sent it on. I wonder how many members have made use of it

[mindaugas]

I changed mine, look my gallery for the improvised tool I made for the back allen.:yesgray:

This? How does that work? Sorry, I am obviously no mechanic.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/thumbs/12122009_003.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/16382)