Back again with another question. I have a 94 Blazer 4.3 Vortec 4WD. It's had a miss at idle since I bought it, don't notice it at all when I'm driving. Started getting a code 32 last week, the truck would start surging and almost cut out. I cleared the codes from the computer and it ran great for another week. Same thing happened again, this time I bought a new EGR valve. Ran great (no missing) for a day then got another code 32 along with the surging, and a bad smell. Cleared the codes again and it ran great until I got another EGR code. Took the valve off to see if maybe a piece of carbon had clogged it but nothing found. Put it back on this morning and now it's starting to miss, which is what it does a few hours before I get another code 32. Anyone ever heard of this?

 

What does it smell like?

 

Smells like sulfer, or rotten eggs.

 

Usually indicates catalytic converter with a rotten egg smell. I think you should bang on it and see if you have some loose stuff inside.
Do you have a scan tool? This is what the factory book calls for with a code 32. If you can get one let me know and I can give you the troubleshooting procedure for it if you don't have it. Sounds like you have a manual of some kind though.

 

Just the info Ive been looking for... Ill go see if I can erase my post now.

Gimpy and Swartkk, you two are mighty helpful around here thank you both.

 

I have a Haynes manual. Thanks for the advise, as of today it hasn't acted up sp maybe the problem is fixed.

 

Well, it threw another code 32 this morning. I think I'll go ahead and change the cat conv just because it's still on the original. Would it be logical to run a straight pipe and do away with the conv? I have a friend that inspects vehicles so that's not the problem, just didn't know if it would bother the computer somehow. I've heard of a few people on here making a plate to block off the EGR valve, can anyone explain this to me? And I have access to a scan tool but not for another week at the least. Thanks for all the input...

 

X2 on the plate to block off the EGR valve! Understandably it's to isolate the EGR valve from the engine but doesn't that effect engine performance from the get go? After all the engine was designed to run with that valve in place, right? Isolating the valve in that way would seem to have an effect on other engine functions and performance.

 

Damage to your engine can occur if you run too long with out the EGR valve in operation without having the ECU programmed to make up for it. The block of plate is just a diagnostic tool used to determine if the EGR valve is at fault.

This problem sounds like a failed catalytic converter. Replace it and see where that gets you.

 

Would the cat conv make the engine surge really bad at idle? I was reading the manual and it says a code 32 means either a bad EGR solenoid, bad vacuum, or a bad EGR temp sensor. I assumed the temp sensor they are talking about is the one just below the EGR valve, I've read the one near the passenger side plugs just sends signal to the guage. Anyway... for $13 I replaced the sensor, cleared the computer and ran it up the road. It's surging worse than before. I've heard the computer needs 30 minutes of running sometimes to re-adjust itself, any truth to that? I'm low on cash right now so I can't afford a conv for it. Thanks for the help.