[country_road]

Hi everyone,

Hoping to get some advice on how to handle a reoccurring EGR problem.

My BS6 D-Max S-Cab has clocked around 15,500KM (a little more than a year since I purchased it) but in that time my EGR has required cleaning (following a check engine light and scanning) at least 7 times! And the EGR valve has even been replaced thrice in addition! So at least 10 trips to the service centre here in Thimphu. And at almost every one of these trips I've met others who require frequent, but not as mine, EGR cleanings. However, it has been done at no charge to me which is appreciated, although obviously, the hours I've lost at the workshop have been adding up with each visit averaging 3-4 hours.

For a long time here, BS6 owners and mechanics have and continue to remain confused and frustrated at the lack of a long-term solution.

Isuzu India has apparently done some research on the issue, according to Isuzu Bhutan, and claimed albeit not publicly, or informed us owners, that the culprit could be diesel with higher sulphur content. As far as I know, the fuel at the pumps here are already BS6.

Occasionally, we're also advised to drive at higher RPMs and go for long fast cruises but in a mountainous country with winding roads and a 50km speed limit, this is both illegal and suicide.

My question is if any fellow Isuzu owners in India are facing the same problem and how you might be handling it. Or if anyone with knowledge on the issue could please advise.

My thanks in advance.

[SH1N1G4MI]

So, this is going to be quite the controversial opinion but see a tuner and get an EGR delete. Can't have EGR issues if its turned off. Its a feasible solution and will keep the engine healthier in the long term.

[country_road]

Yes, the mechanics here did tell me that blanking or installation of an EGR delete kit would make me fail the emissions test. But it is starting to sound like a viable option compared to having to visit the workshop every 1,000km or so for a time-consuming cleaning.

[svsantosh]

The moment I saw Thimpu as your location (country_road) i felt that the slow mountain roads is the main culprit here.

Delete EGR, De-Cat and DPF-straight pipe, your engine will thank you.

[sagarpadaki]

I would not advise for EGR delete.

Try driving at higher RPM(2.5k to 3.5k) for 5-10 kms. This will keep the RPM's high and throttle input will be high hence the EGR will not be enabled. If you have a conservative driving style where you upshift at the first possible chance in view of getting high fuel economy, it will most definitely clog up the EGR.

Try this driving before EGR delete. Your is a new car. It should not have this problem.
Check this very informative video on EGR

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bnpj4eIo6nI

[scorpian]

Originally Posted by country_road

Yes, the mechanics here did tell me that blanking or installation of an EGR delete kit would make me fail the emissions test. But it is starting to sound like a viable option compared to having to visit the workshop every 1,000km or so for a time-consuming cleaning.

Nothing will happen, you won't fail your emission tests. Just go for a remap,have the EGR delete done in the remap.
This is a better and long term solution to your problems.

[Tourer]

Better to not touch the EGR as your truck would be in warranty. Automatics usually fare well in such conditions as the transmission maintains high rpm. Try to limit your drives to 2nd and 3rd gear.

[howler]

Originally Posted by svsantosh

The moment I saw Thimpu as your location (country_road) i felt that the slow mountain roads is the main culprit here.

Delete EGR, De-Cat and DPF-straight pipe, your engine will thank you.

@OP , this 👆🏻. EGR is a gimmick, your friendly govt bus is busy spewing more noxious fumes every second while the govt is busy screwing over the common man with these ‘ emission controls’ . Plant a tree every month to compensate and the environment will thank you too.

[country_road]

Originally Posted by SH1N1G4MI

So, this is going to be quite the controversial opinion but see a tuner and get an EGR delete. Can't have EGR issues if its turned off. Its a feasible solution and will keep the engine healthier in the long term.

Originally Posted by sagarpadaki

I would not advise for EGR delete.

Try driving at higher RPM(2.5k to 3.5k) for 5-10 kms. This will keep the RPM's high and throttle input will be high hence the EGR will not be enabled. If you have a conservative driving style where you upshift at the first possible chance in view of getting high fuel economy, it will most definitely clog up the EGR.

Try this driving before EGR delete. Your is a new car. It should not have this problem.
Check this very informative video on EGR

Thanks very much for this video. I've watched a whole bunch online but this was both a clearer and simpler but detailed deep dive into the EGR. I completely agreed with him when he blamed the manufacturers for not making the EGR more accessible to the end user. I would not mind cleaning the EGR periodically myself if it could be easily removed and reinstalled but this is not so. The mechanics here dread the task and I've heard much profanity and curses directed at the, what I now understand from the video, an actually blameless EGR system. The EGR in the Isuzu D-Max is a pain to remove and reinstall.

I really would like to see governments require manufacturers to make the EGR become more end-user accessible. We would see far fewer EGR deletes.

I do have a conservative driving style. Changing that to a lower gear higher RPM style. Hopefully that should help.

Many thanks.

[country_road]

The cat's out of the bag for Isuzu in Bhutan. Looks like our national TV station has caught onto the plight facing us B6 Isuzu owners here. A team from Isuzu India is finally coming here to investigate. Will update on their findings for anyone interested.

https://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=201654&fb...3xKHA56-7255kA

[country_road]

The update, for those interested, is that the culprit is most likely adulterated fuel. For me, after I started refueling only at the government owned fuel station here in Thimphu, the EGR has not clogged up even once. Here's a link to the latest news story on the problem.

https://thebhutanese.bt/bhutanese-fu...g-the-country/

[country_road]

Hi all,

Would anyone know why this soot buildup is happening? The mechanic said it is a common fault related to the Isuzu BS6 EGR and could offer no further explanation.



Writing from the windy country roads of Thimphu, Bhutan.

[x-o-b]

That doesn't look like soot to me. Isn't it "oil" leaking?

Loose hose clamp? Loose nuts on the manifold? Worn out gasket/oil seal?

Was the area in the photograph serviced for any reason?

[country_road]

Originally Posted by x-o-b

That doesn't look like soot to me. Isn't it "oil" leaking?

Loose hose clamp? Loose nuts on the manifold? Worn out gasket/oil seal?

Was the area in the photograph serviced for any reason?

Yup, it is an oil leak. Thanks for pointing out. The clamp is good but I'll have to get the nuts and gasket checked out. The thing that bugged me was the Isuzu mechanic telling me that this was a widespread issue common to the D-max BS6 and not able to offer a solution. This area was not serviced directly but the EGR was serviced multiple times.