"exhaust gas recirculation flow insufficent"

[rrose]

Is anyone else getting this "exhaust gas recirculation flow insufficent" code on a regular basis? I'm getting it like every 20 miles..... usually at idle. Is there anything I can do to make it stop? Maybe a EGR delet kit? Any help would be appreciated.

[Slick Willie]

I'm getting it now too. Have been for the last 8,000 miles or so. I haven't changed anything with the truck since I got the 250 tune many many miles ago, yet that P0401 just started popping up all the time.

I have EGR delete plates in my hand now, and I'm going to put them on this weekend, hopefully. The code will continue to show up from what I'm told, but I'll get lower EGT's and quicker turbo spool. We'll see.

Spartan said they could re-issue tunes with a EGR-delete file incorporated that will make the code quit throwing, but I can't get much info about it. The EGR valve is disabled in their race tunes, but apparently it still cycles or something to make the code throw. I don't get it.

[rrose]

Thanks for the reply Slick.... please let me know what results you see from installing the the EGR delete pipes. I'm also interested in how hard they are to install. I am going to try and get ahold of Spartan for the EGR delete files.... i'm SICK of check engine lights!

[64forsure]

Wow this is getting interesting. It seems that many of us are getting the EGR code. But I was told it means that the EGR valve is bad. I too am tired of clearing the code, and getting the damn CEL.

[rrose]

I hope one of the Spartan guys jumps on this thread and can tell us the right course of action.....

[64forsure]

I hope one of the Spartan guys jumps on this thread and can tell us the right course of action.....

Yep for sure. We just need to keep the thread alive I guess.

[rrose]

Mick just replied to me that it is the EGR going bad and that I will have to take the truck in for service to get the EGR replaced.

[Slick Willie]

I'm tired of the CEL too. And the low tire pressure light. I guess you have to pay to play. I'll do a write up when I install the block off plates. I'm getting the CEL and P0401 code about 3 times a day now, so we'll see what, if anything, changes after the install.

[64forsure]

I'm tired of the CEL too. And the low tire pressure light. I guess you have to pay to play. I'll do a write up when I install the block off plates. I'm getting the CEL and P0401 code about 3 times a day now, so we'll see what, if anything, changes after the install.

All I really care about is whether or not this will hurt the truck in any way running it with the valve messed up.

I did have an idea though. I was running the truck for awhile in the stockNR tune to try and cycle the valve after I got the EGR code. I am monitoring the EGR PCT% to see if it is working, and it appears to be cycling just fine in that tune. Any thoughts?

[rrose]

only thoughts I have on that are..... I don't think it is possiable to damage the truck by having a bad valve..... the 250+ tunes have the valve in the closed position any time they are off idle (so I am told)..... and they cycle the valve at idle.... which is when I get my code thrown.

[rrose]

Slick Willie.... I'm really looking forward to your write up on the subject. Are you going to request different tunes to disable the CEL PO401 from being thrown?

[mudslinger08]

Have heard that you just need to clean the backpressure sensor. I guess it gets clogged runinng tunes.

[rrose]

How do you clean that sensor and where is it located?

[08stroker250]

This is the same code that you get when you do the EGR blocker plates. It is most likely due to the EGR valve being stuck closed. I reccomend getting the Cobb's EGR blocker plates, and then paying Spartan to have all of your tunes fixed for the code. That is what I did when I got my blocker plates. They are great insurance. Just my $.02

[rrose]

They are great insurance. Just my $.02

Stroker..... what do you mean by this? Why are they great insurance? And Spartan was able to set you up with a tune specifically for this application.

What other benefits do you see from blocking the EGR off?

[texguy75]

I get the same code daily, just chiming in with everyone else. I'm considering taking off the EGR valve and cleaning it. What do you think Spartan; clean it? or block it off?

[rrose]

What do you think Spartan; clean it? or block it off?

YES.... PLEASE Spartan guys..... give us some information on YOUR product that we all seem to be having the same issue with!

[Slick Willie]

Slick Willie.... I'm really looking forward to your write up on the subject. Are you going to request different tunes to disable the CEL PO401 from being thrown?

I'm not going to change the tunes in the beginning. I'm just going to block them off and see the differences. If I keep getting tired of the code, I'll request new tunes. I'm too excited about getting the 310 in 7 days to worry about the CEL right now.

[rrose]

I didn't know the 310 was official in 7 days!

[08stroker250]

Stroker..... what do you mean by this? Why are they great insurance? And Spartan was able to set you up with a tune specifically for this application.

What other benefits do you see from blocking the EGR off?

I mean that the Cobb's EGR blocker plates not only block off the EGR valve (like Spartan's 210 and up tunes), but they block off the cooler as well. This prevents the engine from filling up with water if the EGR cooler were to bust....like I said, great insurance. Yes, Matt and Nutty can write tunes for the EGR blocker plates so that there is no code from them. You also have to get your lower tunes made with the EGR valve shut off because the plates will not work with a tune that does not close the EGR valve. They also lower EGT's slightly. So all in all, they are well worth it if your willing to spend the money to get your tunes changed. The plates themselves are only $30

[64forsure]

YES.... PLEASE Spartan guys..... give us some information on YOUR product that we all seem to be having the same issue with!

Yes, guys we need to keep this thread alive and we need some answers from Matt, or Nutty perhaps. Many of us are starting to have this code show up, and are having the same problems. Please let us know what we should do to keep our trucks running properly. We are all diehard Spartan customers, so please, show us some insight.

[mick1955]

Guys you have 21 post here. If one of you will get all the questions in one post, then I'll try to get you an answer while I'm visiting Spartan this week.

[Slick Willie]

Mick, all we want to know is why we're getting P0401 codes without changing anything. We drove with the same tunes for miles and miles, with no codes, and now all of the sudden, we're getting the P0401 code daily. We're wondering why, and what to do about it.

Yes, rrose, the 310 will be released September 7th, 6 days from today. If you pre-order, you'll get it on the 7th, hopefully.

Like 08Stroker250 said, the plates block the valve and the cooler, so if the cooler would bust, for whatever reason, your motor won't be hurt if the plates are installed. The new tunes cost some $$ per tune, but that's a personal preference decision. The new tunes aren't required if you get the plates, but the code will keep throwing with the plates installed. If you want to go back to stock, for whatever reason, you'd have to take the plates back out.

[64forsure]

Mick, all we want to know is why we're getting P0401 codes without changing anything. We drove with the same tunes for miles and miles, with no codes, and now all of the sudden, we're getting the P0401 code daily. We're wondering why, and what to do about it.

Yes, rrose, the 310 will be released September 7th, 6 days from today. If you pre-order, you'll get it on the 7th, hopefully.

Like 08Stroker250 said, the plates block the valve and the cooler, so if the cooler would bust, for whatever reason, your motor won't be hurt if the plates are installed. The new tunes cost some $$ per tune, but that's a personal preference decision. The new tunes aren't required if you get the plates, but the code will keep throwing with the plates installed. If you want to go back to stock, for whatever reason, you'd have to take the plates back out.


Exactly, we are just trying to figure out the best way to deal with these codes.

[mick1955]

I did get a little time to talk with Matt about this tonight. I figure all of you are at least running the 210 and above tunes since the egr valve is kept closed with those tunes. Post up which tunes you are running, and we'll get you some info on it and what were going to do to help solve this problem.

[rrose]

Thank You very much..... AGAIN..... Mick. I am running the 250 tune. But I am interested in getting the 310 tune if it will get better fuel economy.

Ryan

[64forsure]

I get the code running any of the tunes now. I run it stock occasionally to free it up, and I think that works a little. But I mainly see the code on the 210 and up tunes. I usually run the 210, but I do run the 275 just for fun sometimes :D

[mick1955]

You have to remember that on any tune below the 210 the egr valve works just like a stock file. With tunes from the 210 and up, the egr valve is kept closed with the tune. The reason the code is coming up is because the truck is trying to do the functionality test of the EGR valve and it doesn't move at all or not enough. In other words, the EGR valve is bad. As soon as I get more info from Matt, I'll let you know..

[Slick Willie]

Thanks Mick.

Mine is on the 250 tune and it throws the code three times a day. On the way to work, on the way to lunch, and on the way home. They're normally about 5 minutes after start up, depending on how many times I hit red lights.

64forsure, you run it stock occasionally? With the DPF delete still on? That's asking for it...

[texguy75]

You have to remember that on any tune below the 210 the egr valve works just like a stock file. With tunes from the 210 and up, the egr valve is kept closed with the tune. The reason the code is coming up is because the truck is trying to do the functionality test of the EGR valve and it doesn't move at all or not enough. In other words, the EGR valve is bad. As soon as I get more info from Matt, I'll let you know..

Thanks Mick. I look forward to hearing what Spartan has to say on all this.

[Slick Willie]

For what it's worth, I just ran around town on my 75 tune in hopes of the EGR valve cycling a few times, and it didn't throw a code. I drove it hard, drove it soft, let it idle a lot, turned it off/on, etc. Never did get a code. I'll drive it home with the 75 and see if I get a CEL, and then try the 250 again and see if it helped any. I'll tell you one thing, the 75 tune SUCKS!!! I'm going to die if I have to go back to stock if I get a new truck...

[mick1955]

I think all you guys should just return the truck to stock for about 3-4 months, then you'll be happy to have that cel and the power........

[64forsure]

No I run it stockNR. So stock tune, no regen. I do it in hopes of cycling the egr enough to clean it out some.

[djen223]

when monitering the egr valve when it is showing 25% is that open or closed, so in other words 100% is 100% open or closed.. etc.

[08stroker250]

when monitering the egr valve when it is showing 25% is that open or closed, so in other words 100% is 100% open or closed.. etc.

If it says 25%, that means it is 25% open. If you are running a EGR off tune (210, 250, 275), you will see it open slightly at idle, but only at idle.

[64forsure]

If it says 25%, that means it is 25% open. If you are running a EGR off tune (210, 250, 275), you will see it open slightly at idle, but only at idle.

So then why would the valve be bad? Mine still works, and cycles at idle. I just always end up getting the code and CEL :confused:

[mmayo]

i just got the code as well today for the first time. I normally run the 310 or the 275V4. Today I ran the 210 while towing ~300 miles. After I got home I started my truck to move it & it made a really weird sound like a belt was squeaking or burning up & I had the CEL.......

[Slick Willie]

Here's an update from what I said earlier. I drove the 150 tune for a couple hundred miles over a few days, and my code quit popping up. I switched back to the 250 tune, and after 5 days, I haven't thrown a code yet. I guess that helped! Well, it worked for me anyway.

[rmitch5]

Try reloading the tune..i had the same problem, it was throwing the cel 4-5 times a day. I relaoded the tune and have not seen it in 3000 miles.

[drservo]

If it says 25%, that means it is 25% open. If you are running a EGR off tune (210, 250, 275), you will see it open slightly at idle, but only at idle.

Does anyone here it cycle at idle with the 275V4 or the 310? I don't hear it like I did on the 275V3.