Here is an interesting issue that I thought I would share with the wider Odyssey community. A while ago I got an Check Engine Light (CEL) or Message Indicator Light (MIL). I went over to Autozone and got the code pulled. If you didn’t know you could do that, now you do. Autozone will pull those codes out of the on board computer for free.
They simply connect a device to the On-Board Diagnostic computer (OBD II) connector and it reads the codes in that computer. This can tell you a lot about what is wrong with your vehicle. So, next time you get a check engine light on, go to autozone and ask them to pull the codes for the check engine light. It’s that simple. Anyway, mine returned a P0401 error. At the time, I thought this was an EGR valve issue and replaced the EGR valve. That cost me around $100. It turns out that it probably was not the EGR valve at all as it would have thrown a different code for a stuck door on the valve. Anyway, let me back up a little.
EGR stands for Exhaust Gas Recirculation. It’s just a way to lower NOx (Nitrogen Oxide) emissions. What the EGR valve does is recirculate this harmful emission back into the air intake to be reburnt. That’s the high level explanation. Well, in Honda Odysseys, the EGR port from the intake manifold seems to be prone to getting clogged.
This exhibited itself in some very interesting symptoms which threw me at first because of a recall on transmissions on some Odysseys. That’s because a clogged EGR port on the manifold (the intake manifold simply takes the air from the air intake and allows it to enter the cylinders to aid in the burning of the fuel) can cause your engine to race or jump into gear at very odd times. So, it will exhibit symptoms that are very close to transmission symptoms. Just remember to pull all codes to rule out the transmission. If it all points to the EGR port/valve, then it probably is.
In the above picture, the intake manifold is below the engine cover. That’s the black plastic pictured there that looks like some kind of army vest with a 6 pack! Anyway, all you really have to do is take that intake manifold out, clear out the EGR port and reinstall. You will need to replace the upper intake manifold gasket that goes to the throttle body. There is also a throttle body gasket. You don’t have to replace both. To reset the engine code, simply disconnect the positive battery terminal for a few seconds.
I am attaching a document that outlines and diagrams disassembly. Some of it wasn’t right for me, but the gist is. Just use common sense to disconnect the electrical connections, bolts, etc. And make sure you keep track of what goes where for reassembly. The cost for this job: under $30 if you replace all gaskets up there. If you only do a few or one, it could cost you under $5. Btw, the bolt/screw removal on the throttle body is a pain because of the position. Have fun!
Also, the pdf doc I’m about to point you to is for an EGR kit where you drill a bigger hole for the EGR port in the manifold. I wouldn’t recommend it because it will simply clog again anyway. Save time, money, and frustration and just clear it out and reassemble. Here’s the Honda Odyssey EGR port cleaning tutorial. You can view that in your browser or right click on it and select “Save link as…”
Hi my name is Romy just wanna thank you for the information that your shared about the engine light and TCS coming all the time.I have this problem on my 2001 odyssey, Honda dealer got the and it is P0401. Your service bulletin makes it simple to do.Now I dont have to freak out how I’m gonna do this.THANK YOU VERY MUCH……GOD BLESS
Great post! I’ve got the same problem. This will be a big help. I will probably try to clear the EGR port without removing the intake manifold.
I need to replace the EGR and clean out the intake manifold. How can I remove the throttle body from the manifold? According to the intruction, I had removed 2 crews and 2 bolts between the anifold and the Throttle body, but I but the Throttle body still not come out. Please help.
I just want to thank you for the info.The port was clogged just like you said.I did not need to replaced any gaskets so the job cost me only about 2 hours of my time.
I had the same problem on my 1999 Odyssey and put a brand new EGR valve, but the engine check light still does not go away. The mechanic checked, and the error codes again points to EGR valve. Don’t know what to do now. Please point to what else I should check to solve this issue.
Thanks
Srini
I want to thank you for posting this helpful info, just to understand well. At the end you change the EGR Valve or jut clean the ports and reasemble the old one.
Sincerely
If you have less than 80,000 miles and it’s newer than 8 years old…there’s a TSB that gets it fixed for free at your Honda dealer. I just had mine done on 2002 w/77,000 miles
Thanks a TON. I just did this fix and saved myself approximately $385 that the dealer wanted to charge. After I was done (after disconnecting the battery for a few minutes), the “Check Engine Light” went off immediately. The port was COMPLETELY clogged……Thanks again.
Great procedure, but be sure to have the throttle body gasket on hand before you do the work. My gasket ripped in several places during disassembly. This is the gasket between the spacer and the intake manifold. $1.99 from Honda. My port was down to perhaps 30% after 145k on the 2000 LX Odyssey.
I purchased a self-diagnosis devise from carmd.com and it showed the P0401 trouble code. I was able to fix the problem by simply cleaning out the clogged EGR port with a can of carb and choke cleaner. I did NOTHING to the EGR valve.
After disconnecting the battery for 10 minutes, the check engine light went off and STAYED OFF! For anyone experiencing this problem with the P0401 code, go to YouTube and watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC6FkziI1ds
John Lee commented on his problem removing the throttle body from the manifold. This was the only part of the repair I had trouble with too. You need to use a hammer and a screwdriver to GENTLY tap the throttle body off the manifold. After that, the rest is relatively easy for an amateur mechanic.
code PO401. Bought “CodeKey” from Costco for $17.00 to check code and reset.
The fix is easier than described in the tutorial, but you need to download it to get the torque spec’s and get a general idea of what you need to do. Min Odyssey is a 2000, now 10 years old and 143,000 mile. So I did not think it was worth the tube kit. If clean last another 50-75K I’ll just clean it again, but I doubt I”l have the van that long.
Short cut you can take.
1st. Don’t remove the throttle body from the manifold. Just undo the 3 hoses, 3 electrical plugs and the cables. That part takes about 10 minutes. And no need to replace the gasket and re-torque.
2nd. Before taking off manifold bolts, air dust to get rid of loose debris that might contaminate engine. Take off the back plate with vacuum hose and leave on engine- 2 10m nuts.
3rd. Once manifold is off, stuff clean paper towel to head ports to keep dirt out. Do the same to the manifold ports.
4th. Just use drill bits by hand to clean out the clogged port. Then stand manifold up with throttle body up. Spray the clogged port with carb cleaner. Be generous with the cleaner. While still holding manifold upright, spray the cleaner up into the back access port (2 plates on right side of manifold opposite the throttle body.) Use the small tube that comes with the carb cleaner to get way up. Spray until fluid come out clear. Inspect with flashlight. Air dust all ports. Inspect again with flashlight to make sure inside of manifold is clean. Do not spray cleaner into throttle body. That it – reassemble. Mine did not need a new EGR. So no parts cost. Takes about 45-60 minutes. Jaye
Essentially did what Jaye did–a few hundred miles later, engine light back on (although performance much better than before clean out). Thinking replacing valve is next step–are aftermarkets any good?
Check that, valve is probably ok–opens when voltage is applied; looks clean. Have to double check wiring, but fell that’s an unlikely problem–any other suggestions?
Hey Guys…….to know how to clean the EGR port on the Odyssey there are many videos on youtube, this link is one of them………thanks much for posting this article and the videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC6FkziI1ds
Since EGR valve gets clogged, you may clean it with fuel system cleaner.
I used Chevron Fuel system cleaner twice within 1K miles & poof, the CEL & TCS issues are gone(2002 Honda Odyssey).
http://www.amazon.com/Chevron-Techron-Fuel-System-Cleaner/dp/B00092893O
I’ve got a 2001 Odyssey with 160,000 miles. My “check” light would come on and off for about a year. When I took the intake manifold apart to clean the port, I could not get the throttle off to fully remove the manifold, so I had to lift it up far enough to spray carb cleaner and use a drill bit, while not letting the carbon fall into the manifold, to clean it out.