Failure

I gave up...hate to do that, but I did.

As you know I replaced the EGR a few weeks back with the correct Roadmaster unit. Check Engine light came back on. Replaced it again with a 96 LT1 6-spd F-body unit. Light came back on. Replaced the EGR selenoid, and went to the GM dealer and got new vacumn lines and hoses ($) for both sides of the intake, installed those and took it to the parts store and had the codes cleared.

Light came on today. Was off for 43 miles.

I just sucked it up and dropped the car at a buddy's repair shop. Hope it's something simple. My mileage on the highway also dropped from from 24 to 18. The car still runs great, but I want it RIGHT.

Fingers are crossed it's a cheap fix.

-Mike

Did you clean out the passage?

Yes, and I made sure all the old gasket was off. We'll see what the shop says. Maybe it's something totally seperate from this. I got tired of trying to fix it myself and seeing the light come back on.

You don't have a bad cat do you? Hopefully they will get it fixed! I know the pain of trying to find something little and frustrating. I am taking a break from mine until I reset my mind
lol

brokecello wrote:

I am taking a break from mine until I reset my mind
lol

Is that even possible??

Hope it's not a cat. It SOUNDS fine and has good power. Does not feel restricted.

81X11 wrote:

Hope it's not a cat. It SOUNDS fine and has good power. Does not feel restricted.

Well since we're comparing situations... I know mine isn't a cat. I don't have any.

Well there ya go!

Sadly near the major cities in Texas we have emissions testing now. Only around Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio....so I'm stuck.

Apparently Florida USED to have vehicle inspections, but as my dad told me they were really corrupt or something and eventually just did away with it.

Very cool! We just got the emissions tests two years ago. Before that it was "show me your lights and beep your horn" and $10. Now it's stick a sniffer up the tail pipe and $27!

Damn tree-huggers.....

Sorry...

Vehicle inspections are ineffective.

See here:http://www.allbusiness.com/specialty-businesses/155310-1.html
And here:http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2009/08/10/102884.htm
And here:http://www.jstor.org/pss/1061500

AGREED!

Since the emissions in FL were stopped, there has been no change in the air quality.

I take care of my boys at the shop with a few cases of Labatt's, and they take care of me. It's my way of fighting back against the institution that regulate and tax us to death!

LONG LIVE CAPITALISM!

Amen brother!

My 96 RMW is STILL in the shop. I miss it! I've been commuting in our trip vehicle, the '03 Suburban, and I'm here to tell you the Roadmaster sure drinks less gas than the Burb!

He's done the EGR again (#3) and gone over all the hoses and wiring. Can't find anything wrong, but the code keeps coming back.

So QUESTIONS:

#1 - Being that it's a '96 OBD II car, do I need to go back to a Roadmaster EGR? It's got a 96 Camaro 5-spd EGR on it now, per what I read online. I'm brainstorming that OBD II might be more sensative to changes like this.

#2 - All this came about after I did my Vette fuel rail install. Actually the EGR failed on an Arkansas trip right after I removed the Home Plate baffle. It was really shot, was corroded and looked bad.

I was VERY careful with the wiring when I moved everything down into the area between the valve covers and intake, but could having all those wires and hoses right next to each other be the issue? I know others have done this mod, and I LOVE it, but my poor wagon was reliable as the sun before I messed with it. Again....I miss it.

Any ideas?

Could the computer itself be failing?

You could certainly try changing the computer. The other option is having a good tuner like PCMPerformance change the error thresholds so the code doesn't trip. I did this on my '94 after I was semi-regularly getting a DTC 32 despite a perfectly good EGR system. I think I bumped the threshold like 10% and then never got the code again.

Was your mileage effected? When I got the car I could get almost 24mpg. On the last trip, with the light on, it dropped to 18-19. That's a big drop.

-Mike

Hi all. So Friday afternoon I finally got my 96 wagon fixed. If you remember I'd had to replace my EGR valve back in June. Well I've had issues with the light coming back on, bad mileage, and had replaced the EGR valve again, done the EGR selenoid, and replaced ALL the hoses around the intake. Light still coming on, still poor mileage.

I'd taken it to a mechanic buddy of mine when I gave up, and he was stumped too. To the point that he'd had it sitting there three weeks.

SO I Googled the problem. Found the answer right away. YOU SHOULD NOT USE THE CAMARO 6-SPD EGR VALVE ON A '96 ROADMASTER. I'd done this mod after reading about it, and it turns out 1996 was the first year for the OBD II diagnostics, and the OBD II system is a lot more sensative to mods like this.

SO I exchanged the Camaro EGR for a Roadmaster EGR valve and put it on myself at my buddies shop. I cleared the code, and then just took the car on a 500-miles fishing trip to East Texas. It ran perfect, no check engine, and it got 23mpg at 80mph with the AC on!!! Woo-Hoo!

I took a LOT of Roadmaster pics on my road trip and posted them in the Photos section. It was an AWESOME weekend and a great drive. If you have a chance, check the pics out.

And if you have a 1996 car LEARN FROM MY MISTAKES! ; )

-Mike

I feel bad... I think it was me that suggested the F EGR. I only have OBD 1 cars... and it fixed my CEL on my 95...

Sorry,
Jason.

Naw, I read it more than one place, don't blame you at all Bud!