spandit Posted November 1, 2018 Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 After writing off my Audi TT a few months ago, I needed something cheap to run (and insure) to get to work and back. Bought a tidy 12 plate VW Golf 1.6tdi with under 50,000 miles, despite a friend of mine warning me not to due to emissions problems. Drove it for just over 3 months and then the EGR valve failed. I did pay for an aftermarket warranty which should help a little towards the cost of replacement but despondent that I have sunk £7,000 into a car that I won't be able to sell and that will probably need a new DPF too. Not the original owner so can't pursue a claim against VW. Even when I get it fixed I'll have to drive it more aggressively to stop it coking up again which will wreck the very good MPG I was getting from it. Wondering what to get next, won't be another VW, I can assure you (wouldn't mine the EGR valve going if it wasn't such a horrendous job to replace on this engine - I'm quite handy with the spanners but not going to tackle this one myself). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
243deer Posted November 1, 2018 Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 Peugeot 308 2009 flavour just on 100k also with a 1.6 TDi with a DPF - 1 x bottle Forte DPF cleaner and regenerator every 4 tankfuls of fuel = no problems for us cruising up and down the A11 at 60mph / 1800rpm Without the Forte = engine management light every 2.5k miles or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westward Posted November 2, 2018 Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 22 hours ago, 243deer said: Without the Forte = engine management light every 2.5k miles or so. I know that one! The same engine is used in some Fords and Mazdas as well as Citroen/Peugeot. Chances are the EM error would decode to "DPF efficiency low". Mine would typically come on when climbing long hills - unless I drove like Miss Daisy and the VW diesels are noted for turbo failures caused by a coked up EGR valve. Unlike older ones, modern diesels seem to need a certain amount of nursing to keep them happy. The DPF additives enable burn down regeneration at lower temperatures which is handy if you don't do regular motorway runs and to keep things like the EGR clean I always found BG244K engine cleaner to be excellent. Also, and without wishing to start a flame up, I found that Ford/Peugeot/Citreon 1.6d engine ran quieter, smoother and with better mpg using Esso standard diesel than with BP. It certainly didn't run as well on Tesco diesel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferguson_tom Posted November 2, 2018 Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 Do you know if its had the "emission fix" as there are a number of reports of people complaining about the fix causing reliability issues like the EGR valve. If so have a read through this as may make no difference your not the original owner. https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/legal-motoring-advice/2017-08/volkswagen-group-to-give-two-year-warranty-on-emissions-recall-work/ There is always the other explanation it has nothing to do with VW problems but it was owned by someone who lived in a town and didnt do many long runs with the car which would cause DPF issues and potentially EGR issues as well. Also people have a fascination with changing gears so early and labouring car engines wrongly believing its more efficient to do so, all it does is clog the engine up as the fuel which cant burn fully/properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted November 2, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 Took it to my local garage yesterday. They checked then cleared the codes, put it up on the ramp and took the lower tray off. They then gave the EGR a bit of a thump with a hammer and it hasn't come back since. I've been driving a lot more aggressively, which will wreck my economy but hoping it will keep things a bit cleaner. It has had the emissions "fix", yes, which is part of the problem. Pity because otherwise it's a great car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted November 2, 2018 Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 5 hours ago, spandit said: Took it to my local garage yesterday. They checked then cleared the codes, put it up on the ramp and took the lower tray off. They then gave the EGR a bit of a thump with a hammer and it hasn't come back since. I've been driving a lot more aggressively, which will wreck my economy but hoping it will keep things a bit cleaner. It has had the emissions "fix", yes, which is part of the problem. Pity because otherwise it's a great car. I drove my last T5.1 really gently and it really doesn’t help. I had an egr at 50k and it cost me £450 . The van was 5 years old . i was talking to a mate about it and his Peugeot boxer had had 2 egr valves in 70k. Lad that worked for me had his go on his Astra van . my mates went on his mondeo not defending the Vw but I think they just seem to go on anything . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
db135 Posted November 3, 2018 Report Share Posted November 3, 2018 What I'd do would be ring the nearest vw dealer ask if it's had the nox update if they say YES ask when as from when the update gets downloaded you get two years warranty on all emission related components regardless off mileage service history If they say NO it hasent had the nox update date but it is outstanding book it in for that take car in delete any fault codes with a hand held code reader they will make sure there's no codes and the dpf hasn't been chopped then they down load the nox update when you get car back just ring up a fuw days later say the engine light been on and you've losing power book it back in and they will repair car for FREE it's been done loads times before and only know all this as friends work ato a vw dealer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triumphant59 Posted November 4, 2018 Report Share Posted November 4, 2018 I'm not a mechanic but in my experience with VW diesels they are totally reliant on the correct low ash oil. I bought a Tiguan from a non franchise dealer and they had serviced the car using their "all purpose" oil. Had loads of issues with various sensors/valves after changing to correct spec oil never another problem and it was driven mainly on short distances! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unico1 Posted November 4, 2018 Report Share Posted November 4, 2018 Just had egr done on 1.6 tdi polo last week, pig of a job £750. Its same engine as golf. Located at the rear of the block, driveshaft out just to get to it. Apparently there was a recall to do it but we bought it second hand. It’s 80k, garage said they normally give in around 40k so lucky to get that. I don’t think the engine is that strong, probably move it on shortly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westward Posted November 4, 2018 Report Share Posted November 4, 2018 EGR problems are common on diesels which meet Euro4 and above compliance, but they don't fail in the normal sense, they just get coked up with carbon deposited by the exhaust gases. Throw a can of engine cleaner such as BG244K into the fuel tank every 10K miles and the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recycling) valve will last way past 100K. The stuff costs about £20 but the improved fuel consumption more than pays that back over the next 10K. Modern diesels in cars are more of a nuisance than they're worth unless you buy new and upgrade every 3 years. Even then be prepared to take it in the nuts on depreciation as diesel sales are declining fast. Good riddance as far as I'm concerned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob-d Posted November 4, 2018 Report Share Posted November 4, 2018 modern diesels need to be driven properly which is totally different from driving a petrol car. drive them to slow and in to high a gear and they will clog up the dpf and egr. in to high a gear and all the low down torque of the engine will be passed through the dual mass fly wheel and shake that to bits. when i bought my mondeo it had 45k on the clock and it was owned by an old man before who drove very steady and it needed a new dual mass so that was done before i got it. it was only giving me low 40's mpg and after putting several cleaners through it and my 70 mile round trip to work it now gives me mid 50's. i cleaned the egr and intake manifold out when i got it and had over 100g of crud out of it! i have now blanked off the egr with no ill effects. it does throw up a engine management light but with a code reader this can be checked and cleared for the mot. but i do think the age of the diesels is numbered Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted November 5, 2018 Report Share Posted November 5, 2018 (edited) On 02/11/2018 at 17:50, spandit said: Took it to my local garage yesterday. They checked then cleared the codes, put it up on the ramp and took the lower tray off. They then gave the EGR a bit of a thump with a hammer and it hasn't come back since. I've been driving a lot more aggressively, which will wreck my economy but hoping it will keep things a bit cleaner. It has had the emissions "fix", yes, which is part of the problem. Pity because otherwise it's a great car. Take it to an independent performance chipping specialist, get "the Fix" taken out and have it upgraded to what it should always have been in the first place. Then all the problems will disappear and it will feel like a different car. Better performance and better MPG because the engine isn't being strangled Edited November 5, 2018 by Vince Green Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted November 5, 2018 Report Share Posted November 5, 2018 (edited) On 04/11/2018 at 14:41, Westward said: EGR problems are common on diesels which meet Euro4 and above compliance, but they don't fail in the normal sense, they just get coked up with carbon deposited by the exhaust gases. Throw a can of engine cleaner such as BG244K into the fuel tank every 10K miles and the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recycling) valve will last way past 100K. The stuff costs about £20 but the improved fuel consumption more than pays that back over the next 10K. Modern diesels in cars are more of a nuisance than they're worth unless you buy new and upgrade every 3 years. Even then be prepared to take it in the nuts on depreciation as diesel sales are declining fast. Good riddance as far as I'm concerned. I had mine rechipped and (touch wood) I haven't had a problem or an error message since in 70k miles . Still gives 60 mpg and goes like a rocket Edited November 6, 2018 by Vince Green Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenholland Posted November 5, 2018 Report Share Posted November 5, 2018 I always put a drop red x diesel cleaner in with every fill up short journey's stop and start was my problem on ford tranny , AA got fed up coming out to clear the sh## , so dropped it for a Vauxhall vivaro 5 years now not one call out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob-d Posted November 6, 2018 Report Share Posted November 6, 2018 As above, totally agree these diesels need to be driven with a certain amount of gusto to keep them clean and running properly. I might be over simplifying it but these diesel particulate filters could be a bit of a con. As any filter they clog up and it is recommended that you give them a blast up the motorway to clean them. But the carp they are meant to keep out of the atmosphere either stays in the filter or gets blasted out on the motorway?? In my opinion these filters keep the emissions down for an mot only. The rubbish has to come out sometime. Again only my view but these units should be replaceable when full up like ypur air filter?? Someone with more knowledge on this may be able to answer this better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted November 6, 2018 Report Share Posted November 6, 2018 As I understand it, the DPF fast hot cleaning run causes the particulates to get to a higher temperature and burn up to cause less of a problem. I am now driving a petrol engined car as the diesels will be less supported over the next few years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferguson_tom Posted November 6, 2018 Report Share Posted November 6, 2018 (edited) 2 hours ago, rob-d said: In my opinion these filters keep the emissions down for an mot only. The rubbish has to come out sometime. Again only my view but these units should be replaceable when full up like ypur air filter?? Someone with more knowledge on this may be able to answer this better. The engine will produce soot when running, the DPF stores this soot then burns it off and produces ash particles, the ash is less harmful to people. Think about a coal fire, when you burn coal you end up with a small amount of ash compared to the amount of coal you put on and if you burn coal efficiently it produces hardly any ash at all. Edited November 6, 2018 by ferguson_tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westward Posted November 6, 2018 Report Share Posted November 6, 2018 37 minutes ago, ferguson_tom said: The engine will produce soot when running, And that's really the foul stinking smoke that older diesels pump out. Bad stuff that's known to contribute to a range of nasty medical conditions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmytree Posted November 6, 2018 Report Share Posted November 6, 2018 My Golf is ancient and high mileage (2005 and 165,000 miles) and I wouldn't swap it for anything newer because of the reports I hear about modern diesel problems. The advice about giving the engine a good workout regularly holds true for most engines doesn't it? I've done it with every vehicle I've ever had over the last 40+ years and most of them have been high mileage but sweet running engines. The Golf I have now gets a blast every month, I usually get it up to temperature and give it 5 miles up the M5, 3rd gear at 4,000rpm. Best of all, old cars like mine are so cheap to maintain. I did the rear brakes last night, 2 new discs and pads set me back £33. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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