CEL came on - P0401

[Pistons23]

about a week back i noticed that my check engine light was on. unfortunately i was out of town and didnt have access to a code reader. the truck seems to run fine. its a 2000 ranger with the 2.5/auto. it only had one code. P0401 and no pending codes. i got the same code once when i had accidentally pulled the vaccuum line off the top of the egr. plugged it back in and the code never came back. it seems that the DPFE seems to be a common problem. so what are other things to check? i dont wanna spend $70 on a new motorcraft dpfe and it not be the problem.

 

[BrentH]

Try cleaning out the valve.

 

[Pistons23]

the egr valve? i cleaned it last summer when i had the upper intake manifold off.

if i put vaccuum on the top of the egr, the engine bogs down. so it seems to be working properly.

 

[Pistons23]

i took off the dpfe. some water came out of the side marked "ref". the ports didnt appear to be plugged. both rubber hoses didnt have any obstructions. i took some metal wire and chased the metal tubes that go into the egr tube. didnt apear to be clogged either. the vacuum line on top of the egr is in good shape. so then i get a straw and put it where the vaccuum line goes. i sucked in with the engine off and i could here the valve inside going up and down. with the engine on, it would bog down. so im guessing the egr works fine.

 

[Pistons23]

ok, this is really bugging me. ive replace the dpfe, the egr valce and the egr vacuum solenoid. oh and the rubber hoses that go to the dpfe. ive cleaned out the egr tube. the green vacuum line on top of the egr valve is clog free. it seems to idle and drive fine. its just that stupid CEL keeps returning. any help would be greatly apreciated. thanks

 

[Pistons23]

i think i found the problem. melted vacuum lines. ford wanted $57 for new ones. ended up just repairing them for $5.