EGR Valve: mechanic assistance needed please

[jdrobbo]

Hi all.

In short, my glow plug warning light come on two weeks ago (VW Golf, Diesel, 2010) and the car went into ‘limp mode’ Took it to the garage where they hooked it up for testing.

The code came back as faulty EGR valve.

I don’t know much, but even I know that replacing these are very difficult and expensive. They suggested trying to run it once they’d cleared the lights. For a few days it ran fine, no problems at all. Occasionally the limp mode/warning light returned, but an engine re-start seemed to clear the problem.

Has anyone got any suggestions about anything I can try/do to rectify the problem -to clean the filters up a bit before I dish out a shed load of money for a new EGR valve and several hours of labour?

Thank you!


Ps-I’ve noticed that longer runs in the car have resulted in the light going off and the car seemingly performing fine. It’s setting off from home on side streets that seems to be the issue. The fact that the light does go off and thus, stop the car from ‘limping’ to me, suggests that the problem is perhaps curable without full new EGR replacement. Ta

[Bertiebeehead]

You need to thrash it like ****.

[ChrisG]

I had this exact same issue on my VW Golf MK6, 1.6tdi.

I tried all sorts of things, new filters, engine cleaner etc. Worked very short term, but eventually went back to constant limp mode which isn't ideal when driving on the M60...

Bit the bullet in the end, new EGR. Because of the awkward position in the engine, cost me £540 including VAT... VW wanted £850+VAT

[Damo]

Has it been for the software update at VW?
If so it's the update that has caused it. It will also shorten the life of your DPF.

[ChrisG]

Has it been for the software update at VW?
If so it's the update that has caused it. It will also shorten the life of your DPF.

VW wouldn't do mine until I got the EGR fixed. I'm not bothering with the update now.

[Damo]

VW wouldn't do mine until I got the EGR fixed. I'm not bothering with the update now.

Don't. It's them trying to clean their own backsides following the emissions scandal. It's ruining perfectly good vehicles and unless you live in the USA they won't fix your car when it ruins the EGR and DPF

[jdrobbo]

Didn’t get the update.

[jdrobbo]

Would prefer to use my local garage. Had two shocking experiences with VW garages and quite frankly, don’t trust their extortionate service.

[ChrisG]

Would prefer to use my local garage. Had two shocking experiences with VW garages and quite frankly, don’t trust their extortionate service.

I used an independent garage, much cheaper than VW and service was excellent. South Manchester though, so probably a bit far from you

[jdrobbo]

My local garage have been great for years: no issue with them. Just wondered if there was anything, anything at all that I could try/ do before succumbing. I’m reluctant to whilst the car works over 50% of the time.

[ChrisG]

Completely agree. Not ideal dropping best part of 600 notes on an issue that is a very common fault on that engine. Should be done as a recall in my opinion.

[Czech]

Try putting a container of Cataclean in your tank it cleans all the sensors I had the same problem with my Toyota Auris after treating it with Cataclean I had no more issues you can get it from Halfords.

[HollandsPies]

Hi jdrobbo, I had the same EGR issues with my Mondeo ST TDCI (Euro 3 engine).
Here's a few suggestions I did with my fault:
Use the more expensive diesel like Total Exellium
Buy some Forte diesel treatment from eBay
Give your engine a damn good thrashing with the above aready in the tank. I'm talking 70mph in 3rd gear for 10 miles on the motorway.

Can you buy a 'blanking plate' for said EGR valve? A VW forum will answer this. EGR valves aren't a necessity for a perfectly running engine - it's an emissions thing

You may have to fork out for a new valve as the internals of the valve may have stripped threads and won't open/shut.

Hope this is of some help.

HP

[jdrobbo]

Thanks all. Appreciate the replies so far, and so promptly.

[HollandsPies]

One more thing jd, EGR valves choke up with a tar-type residue and it doesn't allow the valve to open and close. Which in turn can flag up the error code on your dashboard.
My suggestions are for burning it away through extreme heat and exhaust gasses.

Looking into whether the valve can be blanked off would be a good idea as that would be labour only to pay for.

Plenty of images on Google. Bet you've got time on your hands so crack on ...

[sox8595]

best bet is going on the relevant forums, my terano had similar issues. Found the best and cheapest solution was the blanking plate.
with the Nissan engine it was very straightforward to do nyself(if a little awkward. )

[KLClaret]

Had similar problems with my last car. I took the valve off (4 bolts ) and blanked it off with a flattened and roughly shaped piece of coke can! Worked though.

[Ightenclaret]

Burn off the deposits or remove the valve - clean it and put it back.
Not too difficult a job.

[cockneyclaret]

Take it out and clean it in carb cleaner and get a blanking plate, also get a remap which would stop the EML coming on plus the car will run better.. look on the VW forums for a good remap

[Damo]

Blanking the EGR is an mot fail now

[Ooogeorgeorgeoghani]

Got exactly the same symptoms with my 05 plate audi 3.tdi been like that for over 12 months but gradually getting worse been quoted 1200 for new egr! It's a reet bugger , flies when not in limp but crawls at snails pace when coil spring light flashes grrrr

[Walton]

If you can access the EGR valve housing, see if you can take the top panel off it.

My VW had similar symptoms (low revs being more problematic, EML on) and after taking this little lid off I could see that the actuator cog to open up the valve had worn down, so the metal cog it was meeting was just whirring away. It cost me less than a tenner to fix.

It's worth a look before someone gives you an invoice for £500+ anyway

[ChrisG]

Take it out and clean it in carb cleaner and get a blanking plate, also get a remap which would stop the EML coming on plus the car will run better.. look on the VW forums for a good remap

All the forums reckon it's an absolute bugger to get to, full engine strip hence the cost. Part is only about a £200, it's the labour that bumps it up. I tried everything before parting with the cash, believe me, I'm tighter than Tam Mullen off Still Game.

[ontario claret]

Basically, they're telling you that there is a break in your vacuum. Very difficult to find. Could really be anywhere.

[jdrobbo]

Cheers folks. It appears that on older vehicles they are easy to access but on anything past 2010, they’re ridiculously difficult to find.

I’ve tried to put some higher grade diesel in and have bought some cataclean. Will give that a blast.