Parts for your 2017 Subaru Forester-Egr valve

2017 Subaru Forester EGR valve: fitted or not?

Based on Subaru technical literature, the 2017 Subaru Forester may or may not have an EGR valve, depending on the engine. Technical sources referenced: Subaru Factory Service Manual (2017 Forester, Engine and Emissions sections for FB25, FA20DIT and EE20), Subaru Global/Regional Parts Catalogues for SJ-series Forester (showing EGR components by engine), and Subaru Technical Training materials (STIS) noting cooled EGR on FA20DIT and EE20, and no external EGR on the 2015–2018 FB25 generation.

• 2.5i petrol (FB25B): No external EGR valve used (internal EGR via cam timing/AVCS).
• 2.0XT petrol turbo (FA20DIT): Yes, fitted with an electronically controlled, cooled EGR valve and cooler.
• 2.0D diesel (EE20): Yes, fitted with EGR valve and cooler as part of its emissions system.

On 2017 Forester models that do use an EGR valve (2.0XT FA20DIT and 2.0D EE20), the part’s job is to meter a small amount of exhaust gas back into the intake under light to medium load. That cools combustion, trims NOx emissions and, on the turbo petrol, helps knock resistance and part‑throttle efficiency. The hardware includes an electronically actuated EGR valve and a cooled EGR circuit with a compact heat exchanger, the diesel layers in additional control around DPF management.

EGR isn’t a scheduled replacement item, but on Aussie and Kiwi fuel and driving cycles, soot and oil mist can build up in the valve, pipework and cooler by roughly 80,000–150,000 km. Tell‑tales include a rough idle, flat spots, higher fuel use, pinging on the 2.0XT, excessive smoke on the diesel, or EGR‑related codes like P0400, P0401 or P0402. A check engine light with reduced performance is common when flow is restricted or the valve sticks.

As part of routine servicing, a technician can command the valve with a scan tool, verify flow data, and visually inspect for coking. Many workshops will remove and clean the valve and connecting pipes as preventive maintenance around the 100,000 km mark, especially if the car mostly does short trips. Use intake‑safe cleaner and gentle tools, avoid forcing the pintle. If the cooler is heavily restricted, ultrasonic cleaning or replacement is often quicker.

If replacement is needed, always fit new gaskets/seals, and on cooled systems be ready to catch and bleed coolant. Torque fasteners to FSM spec, tidy harness and hose routing, clear codes and complete an idle/drive relearn. On diesels, perform an EGR performance test and check DPF soot load afterwards. Costs vary: cleaning is usually an add‑on to a standard service, a new genuine valve (and cooler if required) adds parts cost and a few hours’ labour depending on access. Keeping the air filter fresh, using quality low‑ash oil on EE20 diesels, and giving the car a decent highway run now and then all help slow EGR soot build‑up. Owners of 2.5i FB25 models can relax—there’s no external EGR valve to service on those, the engine relies on cam timing for internal EGR behaviour.

FAQs

Which 2017 Forester models in Australia/NZ have an EGR valve?
The 2.0XT turbo petrol (FA20DIT) and the 2.0D diesel (EE20) have a cooled EGR valve and cooler. The 2.5i petrol (FB25B) does not use an external EGR valve, it relies on cam timing for internal EGR effects.

How often should the EGR valve be cleaned or replaced?
There’s no fixed interval. Inspection from about 80,000–150,000 km is sensible, especially if most trips are short. Clean when performance drops or EGR flow codes appear, replace if the valve or cooler is beyond cleaning or the actuator fails.

Is it legal to delete or blank the EGR on a 2017 Forester?
No. EGR tampering is illegal in Australia and New Zealand, can trigger check engine lights, increase emissions, risk fines, and may cause WOF/rego issues. It can also affect engine longevity on the FA20DIT by increasing knock tendency and EGTs.