Hello, My engine light has came on in my 1997 Ford F150 with a 4.6 V-8 engine. I borrowed my friends OBDII checker and the code was "EGR, NO FLOW DETECTED". What should I try first. Any help would be appreciated.

Steve

 

Steve,

Do you happen to have the code number itself ?

I tried a search on the term EGR, NO FLOW DETECTED in the DTC section and came up with nothing. There is a EGR Insufficient Flow ?? ( P0401 )

If it is the P0401 code that might show up on the 4.6, then is could be clogged EGR ports in the Throttle body.

Or

it could be a DPFE gone south ( which has been reported to change between P0401 and P0402 codes after a few days )

If you have the actual number, I'd feel better about sending you around looking for a soultion, right now these are guesses.

My SWAG would go on the DPFE, but the 4.6 is more prone to clogging the EGR ports.

A few read on the 4.6 and the EGR ports:
https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...hreadid=102422
https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...threadid=95863

If you have the DTC for the problem, it would help be in figuring out a little mroe then the above SWAGs.

Steve

 

Thanks Steve, the code was P0401. I got it confused with my Cougar error code P1407. It's funny because they both have the same exact engines and both have 86,000 miles on them and both engine lights came on within a week of each other with EGR problems. I'm going to try that stuff you suggested and hope I can fix it. If you can think of anything else be sure to let me know.

Thanks,
Steve

 

Steve,

So far it seems to be that the DPFE is the most common cure for the Code P0401, when looked at over all engines ( 4.2, 4.6, and 5.4 ) but the 4.6 has the clogging of the EGR ports to contend with.

Some have said if you tap on T/B and reset the CEL by disconnecting the battery ( or via a scanner if it has that feature ), and if you drive it for a few days without the CEL comming back on, it is the EGR ports are clogged.

I have never had to try this myself, but it might be worth a try, maybe ??

Right now it is about neck and neck between the clog ports and the DPFE, so I guess you can try cleaning the EGR ports and clear the DTC, to see if that is it.
It only costs time, no money for parts, maybe that is the way to go. ?? Toss a coin, and post back which you tried forst to let other know what you did.

Strange I just looked at the DTC ccodes, and could nto find the P1407 in the 2001 version ?? hummm....

Good luck with it

Steve

 

Thanks again.......my Cougar is a 1995 with a V-8 4.6 but not the Tritan. It's been a great car. This is the first engine error code I've gotten. I'm going to try the stuff you told me tonight, I've bought a Haynes manual to help me a little. I'm not much of a mechanic but I'm going to learn.

Thanks
Steve

 

Steve,

I think newok meant 0407 for the Cougar.

JMC

 

I thought I was the one that cornered the market on typos. If nothing else I have the highest count of them

Steve

 

Steve,

I suffer from mlid Dyslexia.

JMC

 

What can I use to clean the TB and the DPFE and the TB sensor? There is a sticker on top of the TB that tells me not to clean it. It is pretty dirty.

Thanks,
Steve

 

Steve,

Good old liquid soap and an old tooth brush.

I stay away from carb cleaner, and the likes, but that might be quicker then soap and water.

Dry them good before putting them back on, you can use a canned air ( used for cleaning camera lenses ) to blow them out first before checking through them.

If you use an air compressor make sure you have a dryer on it ( as in the type used for paint guns ) and set the regulator on 5 PSI. Don't want to embed stuff in the T/B shaft ends or in the DPFE so it sticks open.

Steve

 

I use dish soap on mine too. I actually remove it and clean it in the sink. I am always careful not to soak the TPS. One of these days I will replace that stripped torx screw. I use a dish towel to dry it and it sits on the counter for ½ hour.

JMC