1) What is everyone's beef with EGR? I don't consider myself a "greenie", but there are serious environmental consequences associated with exhaust gases and EGR is such a simple way of reducing emissions.
2) Does my 1984 190D 2.2 diesel engine have an overhead cam? If not, does it have hydraulic lifters?

-Blake

EGR serves to reduce the combustion temperatures by cooling the charge with inert (exhaust) gas. This serves to reduce the available power from the engine and also results in decreased fuel consumption.

The use of EGR will usually cause significant accumulation of soot and carbon along the intake tract, therby adversely affecting the available horsepower.

It is a strictly personal choice whether you believe that the aforementioned consequences of using EGR is outweighed by the reduction in oxides of nitrogen put out by the engine.

Most of us do not.

As to your second question: Yes, your car has an overhead cam with hydraulic lifters (so you don't have to adjust the valves). I don't have a 190D (although I want one), but I looked this up in Performance Products catalogue.

__________________
1976 240D
1987 560SL
2007 E320 Bluetec
1998 C280 (now son’s car)
1982 240D Manual - Sold

EGR valves functioning perfectly work as advertised, but EGRs that don't work perfectly soot up intakes and rob power, this causes you to jam on the accelerator more, which causes rich running and increased fuel usage. I'm all for emissions controls that work properly, but when they don't (and on 20 year old cars, they usually don't), its better to just bypass them.

If you are concerned (like me) run on biodiesel or SVO that has decreased emissions naturally. There are even people working on retrofitting diesel catalytic converters onto older cars for biodiesel use (since there is no sulfur to destoy the cat).

Our cars aren't emissions gods, thats for sure, but they do have the potential to be better, if we apply ourselves in the right direction, and I'm not sure if enabling broken or poorly functioning EGR valves is the right direction.

Hope that helps.

peace,
sam

__________________
"That f***in' biodiesel is makin' me hungry."

1982 300TD Astral Silver w/ 250k (BIO BNZ)
2001 Aprilia SR50 Corsa Red w/ 5.5k (>100 MPG)

http://www.veggievan.org/biodiesel/articles/what_is_nox.php

More info about NOx output as it relates to combustion temperature, biodiesel usage, ignition timing and catalytic converters.

peace,
sam

__________________
"That f***in' biodiesel is makin' me hungry."

1982 300TD Astral Silver w/ 250k (BIO BNZ)
2001 Aprilia SR50 Corsa Red w/ 5.5k (>100 MPG)

They will find a way to overcome the ecodamage that has ocurred because some of us removed the EGR from our system.

They will overcome the effects of some of us removing the trap oxy from our cars.

They will find a way to chase down all the excess hydrocarbons that are released from our engines because some of us reprogram ECU chips.

And I'm hoping that they can remove the lead from the air because some of us use tetraethyl lead as an additive in our hot rod gassers.

I am hoping that I will be able to explain the reddish color in my fuel tank if the time comes. :p

I believe that this will happen within the next 50 years so lets all wait around and see if my predictions come true.

I see the beef now. Thank you for the insight...and the answer to my cam question.

-Blake