problems with egr valve and catalytic converter for suzuki esteem 98

adiedi2 · 01-05-2009, 02:38 PM

I have a suzuki esteem 98 with 145.000 miles on it . Some days ago something was kind of shaking under the car. But yesterday check engine light showed in the panel. I took the car to mechanic . After the engine test I was told that egr valve need to be replaced and catalytic converter also, because is broken( that causes the shake). I was asked to buy them for $369.00(egr valve) and $180.00( catalytic converter), plus the labor cost of about $250.00. A total of about $800.00. Is it any connection between both parts ? Do I need to replace both of them ? The car is working fine , But it looks that catalytic converter is broken. Please help me , I don`t know what to do.

jim_naisium · 01-05-2009, 04:47 PM

A cracked catalyic converter there is nothing you can do but replace it, I believe it is welded on, you will have to have a shop replace it or find someone you know that is a very good welder.

The EGR valve you may be able to do something about, go to my website http://home.comcast.net/~lj_robins/99suzuki/ and click on EMISSIONS then EGR VALVE, there is a procedure there on how to clean it out and how to test the electrical connector.

What trouble codes did the engine record?

Isuzuzuki man · 01-05-2009, 07:45 PM

Both of those items are emissions control devices, your car does not need them to run properly, except if the Cat clogs the exhaust up.

The EGR valve runs

$401 at Parts America.com. YIKES!

Do you have an Auto-Zone or Advance, go there and they can pull the code for you, you can see for yourself. I'm sorry, when it comes to that kind of money I trust no one.

Get the Cat replaced, hold off on the EGR, it will only hurt you if you have to pass emissions testing. You can look into it later, maybe get a good used one.

jim_naisium · 01-05-2009, 09:33 PM

The codes that have recently been coming up with my car (99 Suzuki 1.6, 131k miles) have been "Insufficient EGR flow" (or something to that effect), cleaning it out as described on my website usually makes the code go away.

adiedi2 · 01-06-2009, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim_naisium

The codes that have recently been coming up with my car (99 Suzuki 1.6, 131k miles) have been "Insufficient EGR flow" (or something to that effect), cleaning it out as described on my website usually makes the code go away.

Firstly. thanks for your help
Secondly , the code that came up with my car is DTC PO 400 - EGR Flow Malfunction. I tried to clean it today but I can not disconnect the elecrical connection, Also I do not understand what is a "carb. and choke cleaning".
Anyway I opened the 2 bolts and tried to clean the 2 holes of the EGR. One of them was half blocked and the other one not to bad, After the cleaning I put it back but the check engine ligt didn`t disappered. I disconnected the battery for a few minutes and connected it again. Now the check engine light is gone and I will wait if it will appear again. Here is one more question: Does the cracked catalytic converter affects the engine light? I am trying to find one of them on ebay

Thanks again for your help guys

jim_naisium · 01-06-2009, 10:26 PM

"Carb and choke cleaner" comes in spray cans to clean out the inside of carburetors and choke assemblies on vehicles with carburetors, carbs tend of get varnish down the throat and the chokes would end up full of rust and carbon which should eventually cause the choke to seize in place.

Fast-forward a decade and the same stuff is good for cleaning out the insides of EGR valve assemblies, on the Esteem take the EGR valve off and heavily spray out in inside of both holes then scrub it out with a bottle (test tube) brush and then spray it out some more until you have removed as much carbon as you can.

RebelPC` · 01-07-2009, 01:23 AM

The EGR threw a hard code in the computer and now it must be reset now to make the check engine light go out.......But if that doesnt work theres a place up here in the NW...Spokane, WA that has quite a bit of Suzuki Esteem stuff I needed to get a throttlebody for my 99 1.6.....Dealer Cost 800+ they hooked me up with one for 50 bucks all sensors tested and ready to go, and they even ship UPS right to your door.

Welcome to Whitey's Wrecking, Inc.

PS The catalitic converter and the EGR are indeed both part of the exaust system.

gabepirie · 06-29-2009, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim_naisium

A cracked catalyic converter there is nothing you can do but replace it, I believe it is welded on, you will have to have a shop replace it or find someone you know that is a very good welder.

The EGR valve you may be able to do something about, go to my website Temporarily Disabled and click on EMISSIONS then EGR VALVE, there is a procedure there on how to clean it out and how to test the electrical connector.

What trouble codes did the engine record?

I have the same problem with my 99 esteem. The check engine light came on for a 400 code EGR Flow problem and I'm looking to clean it out. I was wondering why the website above is unavailable and if there was a different location where I could find the procedure you were talking about to clean it out. Thanks

jim_naisium · 06-29-2009, 08:57 PM

Sorry about that, my ISP screwed things up when I asked them to do something and they couldn't un-do it which caused an FTP site and two websites to go offline permanently.

But anyway, it is here now: http://home.comcast.net/~retrocruiser/99suzuki/