If the EGR tube or the silicone hoses have a leak that will throw the DPFE off, but yes I would never use an autozone sensor. Motorcraft is the only way to go.

 

alright just replaced the egr vaccum solenoid tonight... no code so far after driving it and starting it about 4 to 5 times ... but now when it idles in drive when im on the brake it idles real low and bogs down under 5 and sits at 5 ... any ideas would help... thanks so much for all the information so far

 

Sounds like either the egr valve is partially open, so at idle pull the vacuum line off it and see if it runs better or there is a vacuum leak so check all the vacuum lines and make sure they're not broken or disconnected. The vacuum line going to the EGR valve should be green so if you put a black or red one on by mistake it would have vacuum at idle which would let exhaust gas flow into the intake and bog the motor down. Usually applying EGR at idle basically stalls the motor out though so it might be something else.

 

the line going to it is green and when i stop the car in drive it almost stalls and has stalled before ... i just bought another egr valve im going to try that tonight and see if theres any improvement

 

They can stick open so maybe that is the problem. If pulling the vacuum line off at idle doesn't make the problem go away and it runs fine at higher rpms I would say go ahead and replace it.

 

just replaced it runs a little better ... no code yet but havent driven it long enough to find that out