Barack Obama wants to buy my '89 240DL, but only if it has EGR . . .

I have an 240DL Wagon that is on its last legs. I'd like to take advantage of the federal governments CARS ("cash for clunkers") program, which would give me $4,500 credit toward a more fuel efficient vehicle.

To qualify for the program, a vehicle must have a fuel economy of 18mpg or lower. The '89 240DL wagon w/ auto trans gets 18mpg if it has EGR, and 19mpg if it doesn't. So mine qualifies only if it has EGR, which is doesn't!

Can I add an EGR using used parts from a junked 240? What parts would be needed and how much work would be involved?

 

Sorry brother but they're going by the MPG on the sticker. No matter what you do to your car if the sticker said "19 MPG E.P.A. Combined" when it was purchased in 1989 then they ain't gonna take it. Besides, to get the $4,500 your next car has to average 28 miles per gallon.

Originally I was worried for my beloved clunkers, I'd hate to see America's roads absent of jalopies. But apparently it's pretty hard to qualify anyway, and the age cut-off is 1984, which rules out most of the awesome old cars on the road.

EDIT: Also, your next car has to be brand new, and the $4,500 is taken off of the MSRP, so if you're a tricky dicker your bargaining won't get you anywhere, netting you less hypothetical dollars.

 

Sofar is correct. The cash for clunkers program is designed to help the dealer moreso than it is the consumer. The dealers in my area have already started going to a "no-haggle" "no-bargain" pricing scheme to prevent price savvy consumers from using the program to any real benefit.

 

I'm in the same boat...

However, I don't know whether my car has EGR or not! How can I find out?!