Exhaust Gas Recirculation Systems
EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION SYSTEMSOverview
The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system controls the oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions. Small amounts of exhaust gases are recirculated back into the combustion chamber to mix with the air/fuel charge. The combustion chamber temperature is reduced, lowering NOx emissions.
Differential Pressure Feedback EGR (DPFE) System - Overview
The DPFE system consists of a differential pressure feedback EGR sensor, EGR vacuum regulator solenoid, EGR valve, orifice tube assembly, powertrain control module (PCM) and connecting wires and vacuum hoses. Operation of the system is as follows:
1. The DPFE system receives signals from the ECT sensor or CHT sensor, IAT sensor, TP sensor, MAF sensor and CKP sensor to provide information on engine operating conditions to the PCM. The engine must be warm, stable and running at a moderate load and rpm before the EGR system is activated. The PCM deactivates EGR during idle, extended wide open throttle or whenever a failure is detected in an EGR component or EGR required input.
2. The PCM calculates the desired amount of EGR flow for a given engine condition. It then determines the desired pressure drop across the metering orifice required to achieve that flow and outputs the corresponding signal to the EGR vacuum regulator solenoid.
3. The EGR vacuum regulator solenoid receives a variable duty cycle signal (0 to 100%). The higher the duty cycle the more vacuum the solenoid diverts to the EGR valve
4. The increase in vacuum acting on the EGR valve diaphragm overcomes the valve spring and begins to lift the EGR valve pintle off its seat, causing exhaust gas to flow into the intake manifold.
5. Exhaust gas flowing through the EGR valve must first pass through the EGR metering orifice. With one side of the orifice exposed to exhaust backpressure and the other to the intake manifold, a pressure drop is created across the orifice whenever there is EGR flow. When the EGR valve closes, there is no longer flow across the metering orifice and pressure on both sides of the orifice is the same. The PCM constantly targets a desired pressure drop across the metering orifice to achieve the desired EGR flow.
6. The differential pressure feedback EGR sensor measures the actual pressure drop across the metering orifice and relays a proportional voltage signal (0 to 5 volts) to the PCM. The PCM uses this feedback signal to correct for any errors in achieving the desired EGR flow.
Electric EGR System (EEGR) - Overview
The EEGR system uses exhaust gas recirculation to control the oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions just like vacuum operated systems. The only difference is the way in which the exhaust gas is controlled. The EEGR system consists of an electric motor/EGR valve integrated assembly, a PCM and connecting wiring. Additionally a MAP sensor is also required (2.3L engine only). Operation of the system is as follows:
1. The EEGR system receives signals from the ECT sensor or CHT sensor, TP sensor, MAF sensor, CKP sensor and the MAP sensor (2.3L) to provide information on engine operating conditions to the PCM. The engine must be warm, stable and running at a moderate load and rpm before the EEGR system is activated. The PCM will deactivate EEGR during idle, extended wide open throttle or whenever a failure is detected in an EEGR component or EGR required input.
2. The PCM calculates the desired amount of EGR for a given set of engine operating conditions.
3. The PCM in turn will output signals to the EEGR motor to move (advance or retract) a calibrated number of discrete steps. The electric stepper motor will directly actuate the EEGR valve, independent of engine vacuum. The EEGR valve is commanded from 0 to 52 discrete steps to get the EGR valve from a fully closed to fully open position. The position of the EGR valve determines the EGR flow.
4. (2.3L engine only) A MAP sensor is used to measure variations in manifold pressure as exhaust gas recirculation is introduced into the intake manifold. Variations in EGR being used will correlate to the MAP signal (increasing EGR will increase manifold pressure values).