If you're thinking about an egr delete 2015 6.7 powerstroke, you've probably spent some time staring at a check engine light or worrying about soot buildup clogging up your intake. It's one of those topics that comes up at every diesel meet and in every forum thread because, let's be honest, the EGR system on these trucks can be a massive headache. While the 2015 model year was a great year for the Powerstroke—mostly because Ford finally ditched that tiny GT32 turbo for the more reliable GT37—the emissions equipment stayed pretty much the same, and so did the problems that come with it.
Why People Even Talk About Deleting
The whole idea behind Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) is to lower NOx emissions by shoving cooled exhaust gases back into the combustion chamber. In theory, it sounds fine for the environment. In practice? It's basically like asking your engine to breathe its own farts. When you're recirculating dirty, hot exhaust air back into a clean intake, you're eventually going to run into some mess.
Over time, that soot mixes with oil vapor from the crankcase ventilation, and it creates this thick, black sludge that coats your intake manifold. It chokes the engine out. You lose fuel economy, your throttle response starts to feel like you're stepping on a wet sponge, and eventually, the EGR cooler itself can fail. When that cooler cracks, you're looking at coolant leaking into the exhaust or, even worse, into the cylinders. That's a bad day for anyone's wallet.
The Biggest Perks of Getting Rid of It
If you decide to go through with an egr delete 2015 6.7 powerstroke, the first thing you're going to notice is how much cleaner the engine runs. It's not just about "mo powah," though you do get a bit of that too. It's about the longevity of the oil and the internals.
Lower Engine Temperatures
One of the main jobs of the EGR cooler is to, well, cool the exhaust. But the cooling system is already working hard to keep the engine and the oil at the right temps. When you remove that extra heat load from the cooling loop, your overall engine temperatures tend to stabilize. You're not dumping 1,000-degree air back into the mix, so your EGTs (Exhaust Gas Temperatures) stay lower, especially when you're towing a heavy trailer up a grade.
Better Fuel Economy
It's no secret that emissions-equipped trucks drink a bit more fuel. When the engine is struggling to breathe through a layer of soot, it has to work harder to maintain speed. By letting the 6.7 breathe nothing but fresh, cold air, it becomes way more efficient. Most guys see a jump of 2 to 4 miles per gallon after a delete and a proper tune. It might not sound like a lot, but over a few years of driving, that's thousands of dollars back in your pocket.
No More "Limp Mode"
There's nothing worse than being halfway through a road trip and having your truck drop into limp mode because an EGR sensor decided to quit. Deleting the system removes those failure points entirely. You don't have to worry about the EGR valve getting stuck open or closed, which is a common gremlin on the 2015 trucks once they hit that 100,000-mile mark.
What Do You Actually Need for the Job?
Doing an egr delete 2015 6.7 powerstroke isn't just about ripping out parts and calling it a day. You need a specific set of hardware and, more importantly, software.
- The Delete Plate: This is basically a heavy-duty piece of metal that blocks off the exhaust manifold where the EGR would normally connect.
- Coolant Re-route Hoses: Since the EGR cooler is part of the cooling system, you can't just leave those lines hanging. You'll need a kit that includes hoses to bypass the cooler so the coolant keeps flowing where it needs to go.
- Intake Plug: You'll need to cap off the intake side so you don't have a massive boost leak.
- A Tuner: This is the non-negotiable part. If you pull the EGR off without a "delete-capable" tune, your truck's computer is going to freak out. It'll throw a dozen codes and probably refuse to move. You need a tuner (like an EZ LYNK or an SCT with custom files) to tell the ECM that the EGR isn't there anymore and that everything is okay.
The Installation Process
I'm not going to lie to you—working on a 6.7 Powerstroke is a bit of a tight squeeze. Ford packed a lot of engine into that engine bay. The EGR cooler sits right on top of the passenger side valve cover, and it's buried under a web of wires, hoses, and heat shields.
It's a "knuckle-buster" of a job. You're going to need a good set of deep sockets and probably some swivel extensions. The hardest part for most people is getting to the bolts on the back of the manifold. They like to get seized up from all that heat, so soaking them in PB Blaster the night before is a pro move. Once the cooler is out, though, you'll be amazed at how much room you have in the engine bay. It actually makes other repairs, like changing your glow plugs or working on the injectors, way easier.
The Legal Side of Things
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. Deleting a truck isn't exactly "above board" when it comes to the EPA. In the last few years, the government has really cracked down on shops and companies selling delete kits. It's technically for "off-road use only," which means if you live in a state with strict emissions testing (looking at you, California), you're probably not going to pass your annual inspection.
Before you go pulling parts off, you've got to check your local laws. Some places don't care, but others will fine you or refuse to register your truck. Also, if your 2015 is somehow still under any kind of warranty (maybe an extended one), a delete is going to void that faster than you can say "6.7."
Is It Worth the Hassle?
So, should you actually do an egr delete 2015 6.7 powerstroke? It really depends on what you use the truck for. If you're just a mall crawler who never hauls anything and you're worried about the law, maybe stick to the stock setup and just clean your EGR valve every now and then.
But, if you're using that truck for work, towing heavy loads, or you plan on keeping it until the wheels fall off, deleting is almost a necessity for long-term reliability. The 2015 6.7 is a fantastic engine—it's got plenty of torque and the turbo is solid. Getting rid of the EGR just lets that engine live its best life without choking on its own exhaust.
At the end of the day, most owners who make the jump don't regret it. The truck sounds better, it runs smoother, and you don't have that nagging fear of a "Reduced Engine Power" message popping up on the dash in the middle of a job. Just make sure you get a quality kit and a reputable tune, and you'll be set for a long, long time.