Saturn SL1 94 Possible EGR Valve or Vacuum Leak

Tiny
JONMAN80
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 SATURN SL1
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 170,000 MILES
My car has a check engine light that comes on intermittently. I took it in to get it checked and it was a code 32 and 49. 32 is an egr problem while 49 is a possible vacuum leak according to the shop. Any ideas of what it could be? And what could be done to fix it?
Friday, August 5th, 2011 AT 7:23 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Yes the 32 is egr and is most likely the egr solenoid and or the egr valve not holding vacuum. As far as the 49 that is probably a vacuum leak the most common places on the car is the pcv hose that runs down to the intake. Also the vaccum plate on the throttle body where all the vacuum lines go I have even seen the map hose get leaks on the elbow where it attaches.
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Friday, August 5th, 2011 AT 9:01 PM
Tiny
JONMAN80
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Okay what steps do you think I should take to fix this? Obviously check for a leak first, but would possibly cleaning the valve do any good? Or should I just replace the part with a new one? And if I do have a leak whats the best way to fix it?
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Saturday, August 6th, 2011 AT 5:16 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
The vacuum leak isnt going to cause the code 26 and it will all depend on whats leaking on how you go about fixing it. As far as the egr valve if you can rent or buy a vacuum hand pump you would hook that up to your egr valve and pump it up too about 18 inch pounds of vacuum if the valve is bad then when you change it you would want to start the car with the egr valve off for a few seconds and see if you can hear a loud exhaust leak and if the car races you know both ports to it are clear. As far as testing the egr solenoid you would need to get the engine hot and the code active then check the ohms reading across the solenoid terminals with it unplugged when they go bad they read as a open instead of a ohms reading. Let me know what you find.
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Saturday, August 6th, 2011 AT 5:41 AM
Tiny
JONMAN80
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Okay thanks ill work on it some more this weekend and see what turns out. Thanks so much for your input.
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Saturday, August 6th, 2011 AT 6:45 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Your welcome keep me posted.
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Saturday, August 6th, 2011 AT 2:28 PM
Tiny
JONMAN80
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Turns out my pcv valves tube was completely shot. It has basically blown in half. So I replaced that along with a new pcv valve and its definitely running much better. Not sure if that was the issue but im sure it had a big part to do with something. So im hoping my egr is fine and I believe it should be. But thanks for the tips
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Monday, August 8th, 2011 AT 11:26 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Your welcome its really common for a vacuum leak there.I have never seen a vacuum leak cause a code 32 so atleast you have my tips for that.
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Tuesday, August 9th, 2011 AT 1:05 AM
Tiny
JONMAN80
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thanks. Turns out it didnt fix it. My check engine came back on today. Its running better so not sure if its a electrical issue or not. But I never did get my egr valve out. Its held on by it seems like a safety cover that wont allow it to come out. It looks like my egr seems to be missing the gasket though, do you think this could be the cause?
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Wednesday, August 10th, 2011 AT 12:53 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
No its not the cause but should have the gasket its most likely the egr solenoid that failed but better to check the port like I said and test to see if the egr valve holds vacuum. To remove that bracket take that 10mm bolt that holds the fuel lines to the bracet then follow the bracket down you will also find a 13mm bolt holding the bracket take that out and the bracket will come off.
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Wednesday, August 10th, 2011 AT 8:53 AM

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