What is an EGR Cooler

For the good part of the last half-century, automotive engineers have worked hard to reduce emissions and make cars more environmentally friendly. They found several solutions, in that regard, like using unleaded fuel, introducing catalytic converters, opting for electronic fuel injection and adding an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system to the mix.

The EGR system is the least understood by the masses out of all these solutions. We are about to change that with this article.  

Here we will talk about the EGR system and one of its important components, the EGR cooler. So, without further ado, let’s dig in!

The EGR System

Before we start talking about the EGR Cooler, it is important to first explain the workings of the EGR system. The Exhaust Gas Recirculation system sucks in the byproduct of combustion and sends it back into the air intake system, practically reducing the amount of oxygen going into the cylinders. Less oxygen leads to incomplete combustion, lower combustion temperatures, and as a result - lower Nitrous oxide NOx production.  

It is a fact that higher combustion temperatures promote the production of harmful nitrous gases, and the EGR system prevents that from happening. According to research, the EGR system reduced NOx production by about 70%, which is a lot in the grand scheme of things.

However, lowering the amount of oxygen in the cylinders leads to incomplete combustion and ultimately higher levels of carbon monoxide. Moreover, the engine also produces less power. That’s why many performance enthusiasts look for EGR delete methods to try and increase horsepower.

Manufacturers, on the other hand, found an easier alternative. They added an EGR cooler to the mix to reduce exhaust gas temperatures and increase its density.  

EGR Cooler

The exhaust gases excreted by the engine are hot and unstable. Also, those gases are less dense, allowing only a small amount of the power-producing particles to enter the combustion chamber.

That’s where an EGR Cooler comes in to save the day. The system uses the engine coolant to lower the exhaust gas temperatures before they re-enter the combustion chamber. As a result, the gases are denser, and they allow the engine to maintain lower combustion temperatures. Ultimately, the engine produces less Nitrous oxide, allowing your car to be more environmentally friendly.  

You could go for an EGR cooler delete and enjoy higher combustion temperatures, but that is only viable if you have a diesel-powered vehicle.

Diesel engines love hot and unstable temperatures inside the cylinders to work better and create power. So, if you install an EGR delete kit, you could enhance the performance of your diesel car and extract a lot more horsepower and torque out of the engine.

The only downside to this would be more pollution. So, before you go this route, it is better to check the regulations in your country or state. After all, you wouldn’t want to fail the emissions test and risk getting a fine.