[2EVRedVolt]

2017 Volt LT, 50.6k miles. Purchased new (3k miles) in Oct. '17, but put in use by dealer as a demo. in Feb. '17.

EGR failed on rural interstate during the day, which blew the 15 amp, #3 mini fuse. Car quickly overheated, but my son and I had already talked about this possibility, so he checked engine temp. and pulled over. It didn't get too hot or trigger the high engine temp. warning. No loss of coolant. Towed on a flatbed 60 miles to our home. I replaced the 15 amp fuse and disconnected the EGR valve connector. The latch on the bottom of the connector was jammed, but carefully pushing up on it with the end of a flat head popped it open and all is good again with just a squeeze to disconnect. Road tested and no overheating, so he's off again.

Looking at the warranties, this doesn't appear to be covered in Indiana. The only 3 parts covered by Major Emission Control Components for 8 yr./80 k are: catalytic converter, ECU, and OBD. I guess the pollution laws seem old and outdated, because 5 years is nothing for modern cars. Many different cars' EGR valves get clogged and fail, just without the engine overheating bit.

I will try to see if any dealer here or where my son lives will get it covered under emissions or Voltec warranties. Barring that, I'll replace the EGR valve myself with a new part.

Thanks to all who have posted. Crazy that the EGR isn't on its own circuit. I don't have the wiring diagram, but this #3 fuse also controls an electronically actuated thermostat?

 

[Saint]

I dısconnected EGR and replaced the fuse. Now the fans come on after driving and turning off the car even if I only use EV mode. I guess this is just a feat when EGR is faulty.

 

[baldovinomike]

Is there a way to bypass the EGR without unplugging it in order to not get the engine light? If I kept the EGR unplugged could it damage the vehicle in any way? I purchased a new EGR valve but I'd rather not connect it if the same thing is going to happen all over again.

 

[snic]

Is there a way to bypass the EGR without unplugging it in order to not get the engine light? If I kept the EGR unplugged could it damage the vehicle in any way? I purchased a new EGR valve but I'd rather not connect it if the same thing is going to happen all over again.

Supposedly the new EGR valve has been redesigned to address the problem.

Your gas mileage might be slightly worse with the EGR unplugged, but I don't think I've seen any reports of anyone disconnecting their EGR valve for long periods and then reporting that it caused a problem. On the other hand, I don't think many people have actually kept their EGR valve disconnected for long periods. For one thing, most people have to pass an annual emissions test and the Volt will fail if the EGR valve is not connected.

 

[baldovinomike]

Supposedly the new EGR valve has been redesigned to address the problem.

Your gas mileage might be slightly worse with the EGR unplugged, but I don't think I've seen any reports of anyone disconnecting their EGR valve for long periods and then reporting that it caused a problem. On the other hand, I don't think many people have actually kept their EGR valve disconnected for long periods. For one thing, most people have to pass an annual emissions test and the Volt will fail if the EGR valve is not connected.

My volt is sadly past it's warranty to get the EGR valve replaced with the dealer. I purchased one through eBay though and hoping that one was also redesigned. Fortunately I don't have emissions test where I'm from. Thanks for the response.

 

[ampedupnj]

Supposedly the new EGR valve has been redesigned to address the problem.

Your gas mileage might be slightly worse with the EGR unplugged, but I don't think I've seen any reports of anyone disconnecting their EGR valve for long periods and then reporting that it caused a problem. On the other hand, I don't think many people have actually kept their EGR valve disconnected for long periods. For one thing, most people have to pass an annual emissions test and the Volt will fail if the EGR valve is not connected.

I've been driving with a failed EGR for about 4 months now, my only concern is it eventually causing the catalytic converter to fail by overloading it. Despite all the listings showing as available, no one has them. I'm 0 for 5 on attempts to purchase one. They take your money and in a day to week later say, oops, just kidding, we don't actually have it, here's your money back.

 

[hellsop]

I'm 0 for 5 on attempts to purchase one. They take your money and in a day to week later say, oops, just kidding, we don't actually have it, here's your money back.

And that's why one might consider actually asking a dealership parts department instead. Because they will put in the order, even though it's backordered without a defined delivery date, and you get it eventually, instead of getting the order cancelled. Even if it takes ten weeks.

 

[Saint]

Yeap, ordered from one of the dealers with online parts catalog. Waiting for 2 weeks now. Last week they said they are waiting for GM to send the part.

And that's why one might consider actually asking a dealership parts department instead. Because they will put in the order, even though it's backordered without a defined delivery date, and you get it eventually, instead of getting the order cancelled. Even if it takes ten weeks.

 

[DannyVoltaire]

I've been driving around mine unplugged probably 6 months and 6 or 7 thousand miles. I hear it's better for your engine not as likely getting carbon deposits. My car has been rear ended and insurance buyback so i'm not sure they'd cover it under warranty.. i at least need to get the rear end pulled out first before i try. lol

 

[Saint]

I checked FSM again. Too many things connected to the fuse. Especially the fact that oil pressure control solenoid is also on this circuit makes me wonder if there is any damage happened during 15 minutes I drove with the fuse blown.

 

[Saint]

Here is the old EGR pictures. Some overheating on the top portion.

 

[dvb]

It looks just like rosin or some other flux to me, rather than overheating...

 

[phattyduck]

It looks just like rosin or some other flux to me, rather than overheating...

Yes, especially since that is the location that would be hand-soldered on to the assembly (and then not able to be cleaned afterward as part of the assembly...).

-Charlie

 

[dannyV]

I checked FSM again. Too many things connected to the fuse. Especially the fact that oil pressure control solenoid is also on this circuit makes me wonder if there is any damage happened during 15 minutes I drove with the fuse blown.

View attachment 176456

i've seen a couple of times motorcycle magazines would let the oil drain out of a motorcycle and that thing would keep running for a very long time. I guess the internal parts are staying oily for a long while..

 

[dannyV]

anyone think it's possible to modify a broken EGR so that it applies power but it doesn't actually open the valve but it turns like it thinks it's opening the valve? like maybe removing a cog or something? I want the check engine light to go away so if new codes pop up you'd know it from the light coming on from being off. I probably should try to clean it, but unfortunately i have bigger fish to fry. I'm thinking maybe it's shorting out on the ones that do have some carbon build up.. I wonder how many of these shorted out EGR vavles were actually clean or build up? does anyone know what modification they made to the new design? maybe we could mod the old design for those of us out of warranty.

 

[phattyduck]

anyone think it's possible to modify a broken EGR so that it applies power but it doesn't actually open the valve but it turns like it thinks it's opening the valve? like maybe removing a cog or something?

Likely, but that would only fix the position sensor side of things. There are likely also temperature sensors to verify flow...

-Charlie

 

[hellsop]

Just... get it fixed. Jimmying an emissions component just to turn off a light is both a terrible habit and a violation of the Clean Air Act. And probably stains your soul too.

 

[RoosterIllusion]

Just... get it fixed. Jimmying an emissions component just to turn off a light is both a terrible habit and a violation of the Clean Air Act. And probably stains your soul too.

Sure, lets just get it fixed when there are no egr valves to replace it with. I am in the same boat. It has been 6 weeks and no egr. No callbacks from gm and I can only leave voice mails when I call. Dealer is zero help. I am in a state with emissions checks and registration expires this month. Fun times. I'll probably have to get a china one on ebay, drive it over to carmax, and dump it. I still have an emissions warranty too, but somehow they exclude the egr when you cannot pass emissions without it.

 

[SevastianJ]

Sure, lets just get it fixed when there are no egr valves to replace it with. I am in the same boat. It has been 6 weeks and no egr. No callbacks from gm and I can only leave voice mails when I call. Dealer is zero help. I am in a state with emissions checks and registration expires this month. Fun times. I'll probably have to get a china one on ebay, drive it over to carmax, and dump it. I still have an emissions warranty too, but somehow they exclude the egr when you cannot pass emissions without it.

Have you had any luck finding one?

 

[SevastianJ]

My volt is sadly past it's warranty to get the EGR valve replaced with the dealer. I purchased one through eBay though and hoping that one was also redesigned. Fortunately I don't have emissions test where I'm from. Thanks for the response.

I haven’t had any luck finding one, do you know if anymore are available where you got yours from?