Thanks for the info. I may just try unplugging the EGR one of these days. Here's a further question I don't think has been addressed yet:

When the CEL is on all the time (such as when the EGR is unplugged) how do you know there aren't further codes being recorded without plugging in a code reader? What I'm trying to say is there may be more than one code recorded due to another fault in the emissions system yet you wouldn't know it without using a code reader regularly because the CEL would always be on. Hope I made this question clear enough....

 

Every once in a while you can plug the EGR back in. After about 4 start cycles, if all is well, the light will go out. If not, then there are further codes to investigate. I've never worried about any extra codes and haven't had any. If the truck ever starts acting up, then I'll disconnect the batteries to clear all codes, plug in the EGR and restart it to check the codes. Or use a scanner. But as I said, this has not been a problem. I just put diesel in the tank, hook up to the trailer, let the truck do its thing and service it every 10,000 kms. It is a beautiful thing!

 

I appreciate your assistance. A final question: have you noticed any power loss, slow warm-ups or any other abnormality I should be aware of when unplugging the EGR? Thanks again....

 

No power loss, no warm up problems and no other abnormalities. After using the grid heater, I fire up the engine, immediately turn on the engine brake and then the high idle. If it's cold I let it idle at 1,000 rpm for a couple of minutes and then boost the idle to 1,500 while I clean the windows or get the rest of my stuff from the house. I run the engine brake at all times.

 

OK, I received the report from Blackstone Labs yesterday. All parameters look very good with the possible exception of fuel percentage found in the oil (it was borderline...see below). A good point made in the report was that the oil should be sampled after at least 15 minutes of highway driving. I hadn't done that so perhaps the oil level would have read lower if done the proper way. Anyhow, the report was very good otherwise.

Portion of report from Blackstone:

OIL TYPE & GRADE: Shell Rotella T 15W/40
OIL USE INTERVAL: 3,384 Miles

ED: We found fuel, present at 2.5%, in the first sample from your Cummins. Fuel at this level is right over the line for being a problem amount, though we're not going to call it a problem just yet. The fuel didn't affect wear, which looks great and reads at or around averages for the 6.7L engine (see universal averages). You can get some fuel from city driving and idling, so be sure to take the truck out on the highway for about 15 minutes before taking your next sample. That should eliminate any normal fuel buildup. No antifreeze found.
Look for fuel to drop next time