EGR Exhaust Band Clamps - EGR Valve/Cooler Cleaning Re-Install Torque Specs

[TKeeler]

Just finished up doing the EGR Valve and Cooler cleaning but suspect I now have an exhaust connection leak. What is the torque supposed to be on the band clamps? I assume they are re-usable and don't need to be replaced? Not familiar with that type, any special re-install tips for that type clamp? Not totally clear on how the entire EGR system works but it seemed that I didn't smell the exhaust in the cab until it went into a regen but maybe it was just my imagination. None of the instructions I have found for doing this service called out any of the torque specs. What about the two 15mm nuts at the back of the cooler, what should they be torqued to? The four bolts that hold the EGR valve down?

 

[tommyturbo]

Hello TKeeler. I don't know if you solved the problem by now but if not, I can tell you what happened with mine.
One time I needed to remove the EGR crossover pipe to get at something and when after I reinstalled then sooty exhaust
came out around the clamps and smoke came out from under the hood. That startled me. I found that the
solid metal gaskets between the joining pipe flanges were incredibly sensitive to alignment. Not clamping torque.
Just leave the joints loose enough to wiggle and then tighten a little more as you go while still wiggling until
the flanges and gaskets finally settle in and make even contact, still tightening until done. I have a service
manual but did not look up the torque. Just used common sense feel for "how tight is tight?". Everything
went back to normal. As a matter of fact, after leaving the dealer for a free EGR service a year later, smoke
was coming from under the hood. The next day I went back to the mechanic to show the leaking and the
mechanic said he test drove it and that it was fine before release. I told him that the smoke came out during
regen and using the exhaust brake. And of course I told him about the gasket alignment sensitivity.
He redid the clamps again and that fixed that. Hope that does the trick for you.
Tom

 

[dsalonen]

Genos supplies two of those silver tapered fiber gaskets for each end of the crossover tube for my '08 6.7. One works for the EGR end of it but I had to order the right flat metal one from the local Chrysler dealer for the other end. It leaked immediately with the Geno's supplied gasket.

 

[Loren]

TKeeler,

Sorry, I can't help you with the torque specs.

I have found the same thing as Tom about aligning the tubes as you snug the clamps down in steps. I think it's the only way to get them to seal properly.

I have not had the problem that dsalonen had with leaks once I discovered that you have to wiggle the tubes as the clamps are tightened. I've used the Geno's kit and have been very happy with all the provided parts. They all worked for me.

This is an annoying job, but it saves you a lot of money if you do it yourself. I've heard that some dealers charge a huge fee for this work.

Good luck with it the next time too.
-- Loren

 

[RDick]

Wow, I have the same problem, the smell in the cab is bad with the AC & EB on. Will try the wiggle thing and get back.

Thanks, ron

 

[RVTRKN]

Mine seemed to not want to align properly and it took a little wiggling to get the proper alignment. But I noticed it when I started to tighten the V-clamp, it just didn't seem right.

 

[RDick]

Tryed the wiggle thing plus loosen the EGR valve to line up the crossover tube. With the outside air coming in at idle do not smell exhaust, hope this fixed it, only time will tell.

Thanks for all reply's, ron