The exhaust pressure control valve is used in diesel vehicles as part of its EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) system. The EGR system is meant to bring down the amount of emissions that vehicles produce, as the gas that is recirculated is actually burned off as it passes through the combustion chamber. In order to keep the flow of this exhaust gas moving as it should, the exhaust pressure control valve is needed.
This valve can be found on the body of the turbo, and what it does is monitor the changes of exhaust pressure. It is then able to make the necessary changes to the vacuum. Without this part working properly, your engine will start to suffer as will the amount of exhaust your vehicle is producing.
The good thing about this exhaust pressure control valve is that it is meant to last the lifetime of your vehicle. With that said things can happen and the part may be faulty or just deteriorate prematurely. If this happens you'll need to have it replaced as soon as possible. Leaving it as it is means you risk causing serious damage to your EGR system or even the turbo.
Let’s take a look at some signs that could mean your exhaust pressure control valve is no longer working, and needs to be replaced.
You may start to notice a large amount of black smoke and even soot coming from your exhaust. This is not normal, and needs to be investigated immediately. This usually means you have unusually high amounts of fuel that is unburned being released from your tailpipe - which is obviously not a good thing.
Your Check Engine Light will come on as the part fails since your engine will no longer be working at its peak level. This symptom alone isn’t enough to diagnose the vehicle on your own, you’ll need to have a professional mechanic read the computer codes to gain more information.
You may also start to notice a loss of power as you drive your vehicle. This is both frustrating and dangerous, and not something you can just leave as it is.
The exhaust pressure control valve is an important part in the EGR system in your vehicle. If you’re experiencing any of the above mentioned symptoms and suspect your exhaust pressure control valve is in need of replacement, get a diagnostic or book an exhaust pressure control valve replacement service with a professional mechanic.
