Hey, guys. I have two brief questions about EGR unplugging. I unplugged mine today for the first time since I bought the truck and gave it a test run. I didn't feel any difference in performance but did note a small increase in mileage on the lie-o-meter. I didn't run the truck long enough for a conclusive test but may want to unplug the EGR on a more permanent basis in the future. Here are the questions:

1. What reasonably priced programmer would you recommend that would extinguish the CEL on start-up? I'm not interested in adding power but a programmer that displays various parameters, such as regeneration besides extinguishing the CEL, would be fine.

2. If I run with the EGR unplugged for a long period of time what happens to all that soot that is trapped behind the EGR if I were to plug it back in, say for a trip to the dealer? Will a huge amount be introduced into the turbo at one time? Will the dealer be able to tell that the EGR had been unplugged?

Thanks in advance.......Ed

 

Mr. Ed;
I cannot comment on your first question since I am deleted and have been for some time.
For question NO.2 this is my response from another gentleman that has asked the same question. Except what happens to the Soot.

"I cannot answer for 100%, sure on the Smarty Jr, but if it is like the standard Smarty. Then you can use the non-ME software, with just un-plugged the EGR valve on the (as facing the steering wheel looking forward) LH side of the truck. Tape these ends to keep out moisture.
Also you can un-plugged the EGR valve without installing the Smarty. You will get a CEL, but this will cause you no issues and will clear up after you plug in the EGR again.
Un-plugging the EGR will get about 1 to 2 MPH without the Smarty installed. With the Standard Smarty installed and using the 23M version CaTCHER level 3 of the software. I am seeing about a 4.3 MPG improvement over stock.
I see the biggest gain in MPG when towing my 5er with the Smarty."

My mileage when towing my Cougar 318SAB, has been between 12 and 13.5 MPG, since I deleted in Aug 09.
The reason I deleted was that I was worried about the soot and wanted better fuel mileage with the truck. I also realize that I am my own warranty station. But the only warranty issue I had was with the emission equipment. Since I deleted I have had no warranty issue.
Jim W.

 

Thanks, Jim. I see the Smarty caused quite an increase in mileage when towing. Does this device have some sort of "economy mode"? Remember, I'm not interested in power gains (my truck has plenty of oomph!). Thanks again for your input....

BTW, I'm going to experiment on a longer term basis by checking fuel mileage with the EGR unplugged the correct way (i.e., not relying on the overhead display). I visited a local diesel repair shop today and the owner indicated there would be no harmful effects to the engine with the EGR unplugged...just that dang CEL

 

Ed,
I think the Smarty Jr, would be best for you. You can download either the software for the emission equipped truck or the non-emission equipped truck. See the attached link .http://www.madselectronics.com/SmartyJ67ME.html
The Smarty Jr offers three levels of horsepower gains from 40HP to 100 HP. Which are CaTCHER levels 1,2,and 3. I believe a lot of users are reporting fuel mileage gains from either CaTCHER level 1 or 2.
The reason I have the Smarty S-67 was the JR was not available when I purchased my unit.
You have to remember just because the Smarty may offer more HP than stock, that does not mean you will not get more fuel economy. Also on CaTCHER level 1 and 3, these levels are safe for the transmission.
I have been towing my 5er since Aug 09 on CaTCHER level 3 and have improve fuel mileage over stock.
DO you have access to EXCEL spread sheets? If you do than PM with your e-mail address. I will furnish my spread sheets of my fuel mileage to you.
Maybe Bob Wagner or someone else can chime in with more information for you on the Smarty.
Good Luck

Jim W.

 

Thanks again for your input, Jim. I just unplugged my EGR this afternoon and taped up the ends to prevent any contamination. I'm leaving it unplugged for a while to investigate the results (fuel mileage, changes in operation, etc.). If all goes well I may look into the Smarty units you suggested. Hey, I might even get used to the CEL and the "ding" (but I doubt it ).

 

Here's a further question. On another forum it was stated that unplugging the EGR could eventually cause the EGR cooler to crack. Any thoughts on this? Mine's been unplugged about 4 days now and I'm liking the increase in mileage and engine performance.

I realize that a delete is the best way to go but I'm trying to keep things simple in case I have to return to a dealer for warranty service. I have about 1 year and 33,000 miles left on the warranty. By that time I'm sure some things will fall off the engine.

 

I know I've read somewhere on this forum that unplugging the egr valve will rob you of 40hp. My egr is deleted with the egr motor still plugged in. The cooler is still on.

 

Yes. I've read that, too. Interestingly my truck seems to have MORE power since unplugging the EGR. I do know it seems to run a little better and shows higher fuel mileage. I guess I won't really know until I tow my 12k lb fiver again in about a week. (I'm wondering, though, if I should reconnect the EGR only when towing because of the higher EGT's. Just guessing here).

 

If you have the EGR unplugged I would leave it that way. The 40 hp derate was founded by MADS during dyno testing but to me it seemed to be more about when the software was uploaded to the system that it was noticed. I don't know of any reduced power on the stock system being documented.

The increased power you feel is the lag that the EGR had on the engine at idle off throttle application. Snappy throttle and increased acceleration make the EGR unplug feel more powerful.

The S version (stock components in place) of the SMARTY software digitally disables the EGR function so no unplug or mechanical intervention is necessary. On the ME version you have to mechanically disable the EGR motor for the whole process to work properly. The EGR loop is part of another sensor loop that needs to be enabled for the software to work properly.

Again, towing or not, I would just leave the EGR unplugged and drive. The EGR will have little effect at all on EGT control, especially in a stock truck.

 

Thanks for the tutorial, Lil Dog. Day 4 since unplugging and the fuel mileage on the overhead is looking good indeed: 16.4 MPG around town. I've noticed the fuel gauge going down a lot slower, too. Of course, when I re-fuel I'll get a more accurate number.