I have a 2000 Explorer 6-cyl (SOHC?) with 340K miles-- I've had the car since 2003.. A few weeks ago the engine started running rough--"popping" like it was backfiring only AFTER the engine was well heated up. Then after a while I started getting "check engine" light-- I have a decoder and read P1401. The auto shop said bad EGR so I bought a new one. When I replaced it, the smaller sensing tube broke off with it-- upon looking closer apparently a hole had eroded in the smaller tube where it is threaded to the recirc pipe. So I put the new EGR in and glued/taped the hole in the small tube. The engine started running better, but I still got the P1401 code. It would come on only after driving 30-50 miles. I would reset the code but after 50 miles it would turn on again. So I thought it was the shoddy patched hole in the tube. I took the car to a repair shop and they put on a "new" recirc pipe -- with new tubes of course-- and put it all back together. I STILL GET THE CODE AFTER 30-50 MILES (approximating). The engine is running great, but the code is driving me nuts!! Q1: Is it the EGR? Could it be faulty? Should I put the old EGR back on and see if that is the issue? Q2: The "new" recirc pipe does NOT look like the same size (diameter) and shape (not circular but a bit elliptical?!?). Were there different size and shape recirc pipes for the various years of that 6-cyl engine?!? And if so, could that be affecting the EGR sensor? Q3: Could there be something else that is affecting the system to give it the P1401 Code? Q4: If the car is running great, even with the code on, will the car be OK to drive? I haven't driven it enough to check the gas mileage, i.e., a measure of good performance-- since all this work, but I check the mpg at each fill-up. I STILL get 18-19 mpg on highway. [before all this EGR stuff]

Thanx

 

There is a part called , "Pressure Differential Feedback Sensor" located behind the EGR valve that detects EGR differential pressure and from the code , it is not working correctly. You could replace this yourself, but Suggest you purchase one and know what it looks like so you know where to go. Sometimes the connecting hoses get overheated and crack , so it might be a good idea to pick up a one foot length of that size hose at the same time.

If you punch in ford pressure differential feedback sensor , there are images for you to see also.
They are year specific so you would need to take that info in with you.

 

Thanx, hanky!!!