EGR Cleanout

After reading around on various BMW forums, it became apparent that cleaning out the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) valve should be high priority. Over time it becomes clogged with soot and can effect the running of the car.

I set to work on removing the EGR, which was actually rather painless, just remove a few plastic trim panels and hoses.

Once off the extent of the clogging could be quite clearly seen. Mine was pretty clogged, not the worst example I had seen though.

Using a bath of petrol, some white spirits, some Autoglym Engine Cleaner and a tooth brush I set to work cleaning it up. Some of the soot came off fairly easily, but a lot of it was properly caked on there.

After quite some time, it was looking pretty respectable, as you can see below, quite an improvement.