EGR Tube questions

[JerryRig]

Hi all, long time lurker and 1st post. Got my Ranger as a gift from my pops so I had a truck to haul trash during hurricane Irma here in South FL. I've Been slowly but surely working on getting all the gremlins out.

Recently managed to clear codes for MAFS, EVAP system and now waiting to see if I get the dreaded p0401 code back this week as I've recently cleaned my EGR valve and tube. It sure was annoying getting that pipe off... after cleaning the bits I put humpty dumpty back together again. The cloth wrapped around the pipe was literally hanging by a couple of threads so I removed it. Here lies my concern... I started to see smoke coming from the EGR pipe. I called my mechanic really concerned and he said it's fine, it's just the carb cleaner and left over gunk burning off the tube. I want to make double sure if that is true and know what your opinions are. I tightened both bolts (to exhaust and to valve) as tight as I could. Last night I kept thinking about that cloth I removed... there's a bunch of grime I never noticed on the back of the motor closest to the firewall and on top of the transmission which happens to be what the pipe is closest too. Idunno if it's paranoia but I have to ask, will not having that bit of cloth possibly cause a fire? And if it's a possibilty, should I wrap it with something like header wrap? Thank you all I'm advance.

tl;dr

-First time user
-smoke came from egr pipe after cleaning and reinstalling
-took off heat wrap, worried it may burn the oil build up behind motor and on top of transmission

 

[1qaz]

If you need a source for a replacement insulator/sleeve I was able to find one on eBay. Two feet fit my '87 2.3L perfectly from fitting to fitting. And it's cheap...with free shipping.

Link: EGR Insulator

 

[cstarbard]

If you recently cleaned it there's a pretty good chance the cleaning agents are burning off

Did you double check that the connections are all tight?

I've had the egr tube develop pinhole leaks or fittings begin to rot off, you might want to reinspect that there are no holes developing

I don't think you need to worry about fire. My old 2.3 had several rot holes in the egr tube that went unnoticed for a while, never burned anything. The cat pipe separated from the mainfold several times in the 5 years I had it, also did not cause any fires.

I used to have a 97 s10 2.2, on which the oil fill is directly over the exhaust manifold, and it was near impossible to not spill oil on the exhaust sometimes... it would smoke off pretty good for five minutes but also never caught fire.

 

[JerryRig]

Thanks guys! I appreciate the link. Will definitely be ordering 2ft. P0401 came back but will be doing some more tests when I have the time. Will follow up on another thread. Also LOL at the s10 set up!! Ahhh auto engineering makes me laugh sometimes. Thanks for putting my heart at ease with that one.