2001 Mitsubishi Galant EGR Valve Issues after Spark Plug In

LIISAMARII

MEMBER
2001 MITSUBISHI GALANT
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
86,000 MILES

Hello, I recently took my car to a garage and they did Brakes, Rotors, Transmission Fluid Exchange, and finally a Tune Up which included changing the spark plugs and wires.

After leaving, I drove 5 miles and the "Check Engine" light came on so I took the car back to the garage, they re-set it and said noting was wrong and sent me on my way.

Again, after driving it off the lot - within 5 miles, the Check Engine light came on. I took the car back to the garage once again and this time they said the computer code was for a problem with the EGR Valve.
This has never happened before and I had no such problem prior to the tune up.

The mechanic says there is no way the tune up work disturbed the EGR Valve and that it will need to be replaced for $170. (Parts and labor).

They don't have the part so I have to wait for this repair -- but I am very skeptical and think that I am being scammed. Is it possible that replacing spark plugs and wires could upset the EGR Valve in a way that would trigger the Check Engine light?

Also, I am worried about driving the car with the Check Engine light on. Is it safe for me to be driving with this "EGR Valve problem"?

Would love an unbiased opinion please!
Thanks :)

1 Reply

PEAR69

MECHANIC
1,482 POSTS

There are millions of reasons for a check engine light to be triggered. When this does occur, your computer will store a code. This code will point you in the direction of the problem. Without this code nobody can tell you what may or may not be wrong. You do not have to bring your car to a mechanic to get this code. Autozone or a place like that will scan your computer for free and give you the code. It is called a Trouble Code.
An Exhaust Gas Recirculator (EGR) valve, re-introduces engine exhaust into the combustion chamber so it can be "reburned". This "reburning" can only occur when your engine is up to temperature -- about 5 miles or so. The computer opens a valve that allows exhaust gas into the air intake - thus "recirculating" the exhaust. In time, the exhaust gases cause carbon to build up on the valve -- thus not allowing it to close or open all the way. This causes almost all of the EGR valve related check engine lights. Sometimes this can be cleaned, but not always.
Changing the spark plugs and wires will not effect the EGR valve or its' function. If, in the process of this tune up, the wires that plug into the EGR valve were messed up, then this could cause a check engine light -- But I doubt this happened.
If you are skeptical of this mechanic, ask him or her for the actual trouble code of the check engine light and check back here. We will be glad to tell you what the code means. AND. Yes it is safe to drive with a faulty EGR valve, but it is not legal and you will not get good gas mileage.