Owners of other Acura or Honda vehicles such as the RDX, ILX, TLX, RLX, TL, CL, RSX, RL, TSX, ZDX, NSX, Integra, Pilot, Accord, Civic, Fit, Clarity, CR-V, CR-Z, HR-V, Odyssey, Element  and Ridgeline may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

A few compatible replacement EGR valves with their part numbers are as follows: Standard Motor Products EGV658, EvanFischer EVA122828256, Wells EGR4175, PT Auto Warehouse EGRV658, OEM 9164, Airtex 4F1001 and the OEM Acura 18011-RCA-A00.

The tools needed to complete this procedure include a small plastic pry bar tool, a 10mm socket with a 1/4" drive ratchet, a flathead screwdriver, a spray can of penetrating oil, a 12mm socket with an extension bar and a 3/8" drive ratchet.

Use a small plastic pry bar tool to gently pop out the four round black plastic bolt covers at the corners of the engine cover.

(The two middle covers are decorative only and do not need to be removed.)

Set the four bolt caps aside in a safe place.

Set the four bolts aside in a safe place.

Rotate the fasteners 1/4 turn counterclockwise to unlock them.

Lift off the plastic cover to reveal the front three ignition coils.

Set the cover aside in a safe place.

Gently push in the release button on the grey plastic electrical connector before sliding it straight off.

There have been reports of the EGR valve mounting studs breaking off due to the nuts being corroded (rusted) in place.

Wait at least a few minutes for the penetrating oil to work.

Attach the 12mm socket to a long extension bar. You could also just use a standard 12mm wrench.

Spin off the nuts by hand to prevent from having them fall down into the engine bay.

Set the two 12mm nuts aside in a safe place.

Inspect the EGR valve and also the ports on the engine.

I recommend buying the Standard Motor Products EGV658 EGR valve since it has excellent reviews on Amazon.

If you would like to try cleaning the old EGR valve to see if that clears your CEL (SES) light and P1491 or P0401 error codes, use some Throttle Body Cleaner spray or carburetor ("carb") cleaner.

Be sure to cover the diaphragm and electronics on the top part of the old EGR valve with a plastic bag to protect them from the cleaning spray.

Allow the cleaner spray to dissolve the carbon deposits and flush them away. You could also gently use a wire brush to clean the carbon from the EGR valve and the ports (holes / openings) on the engine.

Another method is to use a wet/dry shop vacuum and a small flathead screwdriver to carefully scrape away the built up carbon deposits on the valve and ports while removing them with the suction from the vacuum.

Two compatible replacement gaskets for the EGR are part number Standard Motor Products VG6 or Fel-Pro 70978.

If you are re-installing the cleaned old valve, make sure that the metal gasket is properly positioned on the engine.

If you purchased a new valve, it should have included a new gasket.

Lower the new (or cleaned) EGR valve down into place.

Spin on the two 12mm nuts a few turns by hand in the clockwise direction to prevent them from becoming cross threaded.

If you have a torque wrench, the service manual specification for the 12mm nuts is 16 lb-ft.

Push the electrical connector straight on to the valve until it clicks securely into place.

Push the two fasteners back into their holes on the mounting bar.

Rotate the two fasteners 1/4 turn clockwise to secure them in place.

Lower the plastic engine cover back into place.

Line up the bolt holes in the plastic cover with their corresponding holes in the manifold cover.

Spin in the four 10mm bolts a few turns in the clockwise direction by hand to prevent them from becoming cross threaded.

Try to avoid over tightening the bolts to prevent from cracking the plastic cover.

Start the engine and listen closely for any strange sounds.

If you need to clear the DTC (diagnostic trouble codes), use an OBD2 scanner or you can try disconnecting the 12V automotive battery for at least 15 minutes.

Be sure to record the EGR valve cleaning or replacement in your SUV's service records.

For more, please check out all of my 2001-2006 Acura MDX DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.