EGR coolers are meant to last the life of the truck, but depending on duty cycle and maintenance habits, customers may occasionally find themselves facing a failing part. When they come to you for help, here’s what you need to know.
Nitrogen oxide forms when the extreme heat generated by the engine combines nitrogen and oxygen. If the combustion chamber gets too hot, the chemical bond breaks down, releasing nitrogen oxide.
[RELATED: EPA proposes new rules for particulate pollution]
EGR coolers are heat exchangers — EGR stands for exhaust gas recirculation. They take the hot exhaust gas, pass it over engine coolant, reducing nitrogen oxide emissions. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, NOx emissions accounted for about 6.2% of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. in 2021. Under pressure to reduce emissions, engine manufacturers looking for a way to reduce NOx landed on EGR coolers.
[RELATED: Biden vetoes resolution to kill emission regs]
“It’s relatively new to diesel engine technology,” says Len Copeland, product marketing manager for Detroit Diesel, which added EGR coolers to its engines in 2002.
