EGR removal? 93 2.3L Ranger

[Floktndr1]

Me and the search function aren't co-existing too well. I thought that at one time I had read something about removing the EGR and making the computer happy doing it. I can't find it now.

Does anyone know how to disconnect the EGR and keep from throwing a CEL on the dash or giving the computer fits?

And i watched a you tube video where a guy removed his EGR equipped intake and replaced it with a reportedly stock 1994 Ranger intake w/o an EGR. Does anyone know what particular model of Ranger that would have been?

 

[tomw]

Given the changes in EGR operation, you'd have to know if you have a DPFE system, or an EGR position sensor system.
The former is hard to trick easily. The latter you can fake by several methods.

What's your poison? You should know that most systems are designed for EGR flow to lower maximum or peak temperature within the combustion chamber. The effect is to lower the probability of pinging. Likely if you de-fang the EGR, you'll get pinging that may damage the engine and require use of higher octane rating fuel.
Don't know if you'll get actual power or efficiency gains as pinging can put fuel economy into the basement as the pistons are sometimes working against the rotation of the crankshaft, so the other have to work harder to make up...
tom

 

[Floktndr1]

Well my only experience with a 2.3L motor goes back to a new 77 Pinto we had. I dropped all the emissions off of it and it went from 24 mpg/15 mpg road/city to 33/24 respectively and much better power. Did the same thing to a family member's Chebby pickup with the 400 in it and mileage went up a full 50 percent. Of course carb's and timing could be adjusted back then. All these computers do is make a person want to massage them between a rock and a hard place.
Anyway I digress, how do I tell the difference between the two sensor systems? And I don't mind running a better grade of gas.

 

[tomw]

If you have a couple solenoid operated vacuum valves connected via tubing to the EGR diaphragm, you have one system. That one uses a pot to 'know' the position of the EGR valve pintle, and commands the valve to move 'here' or 'there', reading resistance to 'know' it did as commanded.
The other is the DPFE system, with a fixed orifice in the EGR tube leading to the EGR valve. The DPFE sensor compares the pressure on either side of the orifice via small tubes welded to the EGR tube and some expensive, heat-resistant tubing. The amount of EGR gas flowing is imputed(inferred?) from the pressure differential, with more flow causing more pressure, etc. More or less. I have forgotten the diagram, but the theory is it 'knows flow based on pressure'.
If you can fake that, you should be home free. Or if you can fake the variable resistance of the pot on the earlier valve, you should be fine.
I had the first variety of EGR back on a 74 Pinto. From what I gather, a helpful tech stuffed a ball bearing into the vacuum line to the diaphragm, and EGR never flowed again. I did not ask for that 'favor', and wonder to this day if that is why it burned oil on road trips, with too-high a chamber temperature.
You will have a time getting the SES/CEL/Engine light on the cluster to stay off if you have OBD-II and remove the EGR system. I really don't know if it will help economy in later models. I do know the 2.3 in my Ranger will decide it wants to ping now and again, and expect if the EGR was disabled, it would do it even more, though it has been a while since it pinged. It would ping at 'cruise', but could be forced to go quiet by adding gas pedal pressure, or removing gas pedal... ease off or step on it a bit more. Go back to cruise at steady state, and it pinged. Never knew the cause or solution, but it finally stopped.
tom

 

[scotts90ranger]

Technically it's a federal offense to bypass an emission part... but that said most 2.3L's don't gain anything from removing the EGR, some of the other engines do but in all the years (going on 18 now) I've been into the Ranger online community it isn't discussed much, and from personal experiments unless something is broken there's no reason to screw with it...

 

[Floktndr1]

Tom: Thanks, I will look and see which one I have.

 

[DandysRanger]

Hey Gang, I replaced my exhaust manifold and of course, the EGR tube does not fit anymore. The threads in the manifold are smaller... Anyway, I am going to be running without an EGR until I can figure this out. This is on a FI 2.3 so I am assuming I can just disconnect the EGR lead from the computer. It doesn't feel like there is a vacuum leak coming from the valve itself.

 

[tomw]

You may find you want to re-think running w/o EGR. You should be able to cobble together some fittings to make the tube match the threads in the manifold. If you remove it or disable it, you will likely have some pinging to contend with. You'd think the mpg would be better, but. It won't be if the pistons are fighting each other with pre-ignition.
YMMV. not may, WILL. And, you can melt the pistons. Have fun.
tom

 

[DandysRanger]

Agreed. I would like to run the EGR but need to find/cobble the right fittings. I was told at the stealership they only used the pipe I have for two years.
I disconnected the plug and it seems to be running fine without pinging.