Air filters & egr kits

I'm pleased to be back in a Land Rover after a few years of company cars/vans. I've managed to get a 2003 Defender Td5 with only 26000 miles on it, something i should have had years ago!!! I keep seeing and reading about EGR valve removal kits and their benefits?? is it as good as i read?? Also, i want to change the air filter for a longer life/reuseable one, K&N, Pipercross, ITG............any recommendations???

K&n

Remove the EGR. The sooner the better.
As for air filters I have a K&N washable one.

When you take the egr off what do you do with the electrical and vacuum?

Thanks.

Simply unplug the electrics and tape them up to stop water ingress. Tuck them away some where safe. You could leave them connected to the actuators but the ECU still thinks they are working and messes about with other settings to try and compensate. By unplugging them the ECU assumes the EGR is not present and carries on as if it was not fitted. You will see an "EGR STUCK CLOSED/OPEN" fault logged in the ECU if you read them but its nothing to worry about.

Most peeps simply blank the vacuum pipe but I replaced the pipe from vac pump to brake servo so no need to plug anything. If you do blank them make sure the jobs a good 'un or you could loose brake servo vacuum.

Cant think the K and N ones are much cop - all the ones I have looked at you can see daylight through them.... The OE paper ones dont cost much and you cant see throught them.I know which I would have.

Shifty1962 said:

Simply unplug the electrics and tape them up to stop water ingress. Tuck them away some where safe. You could leave them connected to the actuators but the ECU still thinks they are working and messes about with other settings to try and compensate. By unplugging them the ECU assumes the EGR is not present and carries on as if it was not fitted. You will see an "EGR STUCK CLOSED/OPEN" fault logged in the ECU if you read them but its nothing to worry about.

Most peeps simply blank the vacuum pipe but I replaced the pipe from vac pump to brake servo so no need to plug anything. If you do blank them make sure the jobs a good 'un or you could loose brake servo vacuum.

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Much thanks!

eightinavee said:

Cant think the K and N ones are much cop - all the ones I have looked at you can see daylight through them.... The OE paper ones dont cost much and you cant see throught them.I know which I would have.

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But isn't that the point of the K&N ones as they allow greater airflow to the engine whereas the cheaper paper ones restrict the flow of air and effectively suffocate the engine, thereby limiting performance??? Or am I being thick??

Thanks to all of you for your help. I've ordered the removal kit this evening and just sniffing around for a K&N to fit at the same time. Good to be back in a Land Rover

DTd5 said:

But isn't that the point of the K&N ones as they allow greater airflow to the engine whereas the cheaper paper ones restrict the flow of air and effectively suffocate the engine, thereby limiting performance??? Or am I being thick??

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Yes.

eightinavee said:

Yes.

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You calling me thick!

K&N filters work by the oil coating on the filter trapping the dirt rather than having tiny holes like the paper filters. This makes the airflow greater than the paper filters.

If you look at how much dust and crap a standard paper type filter catches in 12,000m - then compare the small amount stuck to the oily goo on a K+N - you have to wonder where the dust went with the K+N. It went through the filter,turbo then combustion chambers. The fine dust that will sail through the daylight gaps in a K+N is going to do long term damage.Plus the chance of the oil contaminating the Maf and wrecking it...
TD5's can start to waste boost at as little as 1800rpm,so they are hardly starved of air as standard.
Cant see the point of changing something that works very well as standard for something that gives less protection.The K+N oil would be better employed daubed over the chassis/underbody to help slow the rust !

EGR valve now retired to the corner of the garage and nice new shiny replacement pipe installed. The difference is superb, more mpg and a little more performance. Thanks for all your replies.