Typical DPFE Sensors

Are you noticing stumble or hesitation when driving? Check the DPFE Sensor!

The DPFE (delta pressure feedback EGR) Sensor measures the amount of pressure difference in the EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) system and reports back to the ECM (engine control module), which controls how much the EGR Valve opens. When the DPFE starts going bad, the ECM opens up the EGR Valve too much, which leans out the fuel mixture and can lead to the engine stumble or hesitation that you feel when driving.

The DPFE Sensor commonly fails on late 1990s and early 2000s Fords, Lincolns and Mercurys. It also often fails on some Toyota and Volkswagen models and less frequently on other makes/models. (The newest engines typically do not have EGR valve systems.)

The DPFE Sensor will often start going bad long before the Check Engine light comes on. If the Check Engine light does come on, and gives a P0401 code for insufficient EGR flow, the EGR Pressure Feedback (DPFE) Sensor should be tested and if necessary replaced along with the EGR Pressure Feedback (DPFE) Hose / Pipes.

RockAuto carries a wide selection of DPFE parts from respected brands like Standard Motor Products, Motorcraft, Delphi and ACDelco. EGR Pressure Feedback (DPFE) Sensors and EGR Pressure Feedback (DPFE) Hose / Pipes can be found in the "Exhaust & Emission" category of the RockAuto catalog. Procedures for testing and replacing EGR system parts can be found in Repair Manuals available under the "Literature" category for specific vehicles.

There is no RockAuto app. That means there is nothing taking up space on your phone!

It is easy to add a shortcut to RockAuto.com’s mobile-friendly site to the home screen on your phone or tablet. Typically, to add a shortcut to your home screen, go to RockAuto.com on your Internet browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.). Then, from the browser’s menu, select "Add to Home Screen." You will now be able to tap the RockAuto logo on your home screen to quickly access our catalog and reliably low prices!

Visit Help for more information on adding shortcuts to some of the most popular mobile browsers.

Whether you are a current BMW owner, shopping for a new or used BMW or just interested in cars, Bimmerfest is a friendly and informative forum you should visit. From the 1 Series through the 8 Series, M, X, Z, I...all of the BMW models have active topics full of discussions that cover every conceivable subject. There are even sections covering vintage/classic BMWs and motorcycles.

If you are the administrator or member of a forum and you would like to see your website featured in an upcoming newsletter and receive a discount code to share with your members, contact megant@rockauto.com

A couple years ago, I had the cylinder head out of my 1983 BMW 320i to replace a head gasket that was causing an overheating issue. I had done a few head gaskets before, so I did not think it was necessary to have the repair manual for anything more than the torque specs.

I was very careful about torque specs on the aluminum head and valve cover. Everything seemed to go together really well until I took the car for a test drive. At about 3500 RPM, I heard a clunk and completely lost all engine power. As I coasted to the side of the road to call my wife to bring the trailer, it dawned on me. I forgot to torque the cam gear bolts... in my interference engine. The cam gear came completely off, the chain guide and tensioner were destroyed, and half of the valves contacted the pistons.

Luckily, RockAuto stocked the valve and timing parts I needed to get the car back on the road. And now I have a completely rebuilt cylinder head. Those three cam gear bolts were a costly reminder that even if you think you know what you are doing, following a book or a guide can be a friendly reminder of what not to forget!

Peter in Washington

Tell us about your most infamous auto repair blunder or unconventional fix. Use your woe to help others avoid similar mistakes or share off-the-wall solutions that worked (at least for a while!). Please email your story to flamur@rockauto.com. Include your mailing address and if you would like a RockAuto T-Shirt (please let us know your shirt size) or Hat if we publish your story. See the T-Shirts and Hats under Tools & Universal Parts in the catalog. The story will be credited using only your first name and your vague geographic location (state, province, country, continent, etc.) so you can remain semi-anonymous!

The 1930 Nash inline eight cylinder engine shares what ignition design feature with the 2018 Dodge "Hellcat" V8?

A. Coil on plug (COP) ignition
B. Distributorless ignition
C. Two spark plugs per cylinder
D. All of the above

Answer below

Testing struts/shocks by pushing down on the fenders and watching to see how much the vehicle bounces stopped working decades ago. Struts and shocks typically have three stage valves to handle small, medium and large bumps. The valves for small bumps typically wear out first because they cycle most frequently. If pushing down on a fender generates bouncing, then all three valves are worn out and the struts/shocks probably should have been replaced tens of thousands of miles ago. Good news, my daughter and I have discovered the speed-bump-test as a replacement for the defunct fender shove!

Strut/Coil Spring/Mount Assembly installation

The offending speed bump post repair

She replaced the rear shocks on her 2005 Mustang last year as preventative maintenance, and we assumed it was time to put on new front struts as well. The old struts had more than 50,000 miles (80,000 km) on them. New struts/shocks restore handling, stability and braking, as well as improve the ride and protect other parts from unnecessary wear. All those benefits were of exceptional importance to me because my daughter gets her drivers license this month!

Plus, her Mustang crashed over speed bumps. The tires would ascend the speed bump without much drama, but the rocker panels would hit the speed bump as the tire descended on the other side. The alarming rocker panel crashes happened with either teenager or dad behind the wheel. We had to carefully use the brakes to slowly ease her stock, V6 Mustang down off of speed bumps that my smaller and lower 1986 Mustang could easily cross at a canter.

The old struts were not adequately resisting compression during the ascent of the speed bumps. They also were too slow to re-expand as the tires crested the speed bump and started to go down the other side. The rocker panels on SUVs and other vehicles with high ground clearance may never hit speed bumps, even with completely worn out struts/shocks, but that exaggerated sensation of crashing into and then falling off of speed bumps might still be there. Besides the rocker panel crashes, speed bumps just made my daughter's Mustang feel junky and as if its tires were always under-inflated.

My daughter was happy that new struts fixed the speed bump problem. I was happy that she also noticed an improvement in the Mustang's handling. She installed completely new Strut/Coil Spring/Mount Assemblies rather than just the struts. I thought it would not hurt to put fresh springs, mounts, bellows, etc. on a thirteen year old car. The new coil springs may have helped it earn an A+ on the speed-bump-test. Keeping the repair relatively quick and simple with complete Strut/Coil Spring/Mount Assemblies also helped maintain and build a young person's enthusiasm about cars and car maintenance!

Tom Taylor,
RockAuto.com

To read more of Tom's articles, click this link and choose from story titles on the Newsletter Archives page.

This is my 2010 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited that I drive every day with a lot of parts from RockAuto. I am a retired veteran and spend a lot of my time playing with my family and this Jeep that RockAuto helps keep on the road. I have this thing with the kids where I ask them if they want to go "wash the Jeep" (that is our code to go off-roading and get the Jeep dirty). It is a blast watching their faces light up with excitement as they plead with me to "wash" it.

Parts from RockAuto include the heavy-duty front and rear bumpers, winch, heater core, trailer connector, clutch kit, brake pedal pads, lift supports, stabilizer bar bushings, ball joints, steering damper, tie rod ends, stabilizer bar links and brakes. Now that I cleaned it up for a picture its time to go "wash the Jeep."

Thanks RockAuto!
Michael in New Jersey

Share Your Hard Work
Do you purchase parts from RockAuto? If so, RockAuto would like to give you the opportunity to have your car or truck possibly featured in one (or occasionally more) of our publications such as the monthly newsletter, collector magnets or RockAuto social media. New, old, import, domestic, daily driver, trailer queen, classic, antique, we want to see them all! Please email flamur@RockAuto.com with your vehicle's history, interesting details, your favorite images (tips for taking pictures of your car) and what parts from RockAuto you have used.

The 1930 Nash inline eight cylinder engine shares what ignition design feature with the 2018 Dodge "Hellcat" V8?

A. Coil on plug (COP) ignition
B. Distributorless ignition
Answer: C. Two spark plugs per cylinder
D. All of the above

Back up to trivia question