VW Transporter Engine management light (EGR Valve?)

[Doc Holliday]

One for the diesel/petrolheads on here. My EML has been messing about for the last couple of years or so. It hasn't affected the performance at all. It only seems to come on when the outside air temperature gets above 12 or 13C. I have done a bit of research and it seems the EGR valve is a known issue and is something relatively straightforward insomuch as cleaning the EGR valve or even having the system decarbonised. I've had a look at a few online videos and it does seem pretty straightforward but having a chat with a mechanic this morning was told that the turbo block may have a crack in it as this can cause the same issue, apparently. I would be grateful of some straightforward advice. Thanks.

[oldypigeonpopper]

Hello, have you thought to try an EGR valve cleaner first ? there are some good reviews on what products to look for and sure there are videos to help

[scarecrow243]

as above clean the egr first they do cause a lot of problems  ps they do get very dirty and sometimes stick

[Rob85]

If your turbo had a crack in it I would have expected it to have disassembled itself into an oily smokey mess before now. If you had an issue with the turbo you would be getting engine management codes to do with turbo boost pressure. Pull the EGR and any pipes that feed it and clean it, depending on how gacked up it is you may need a screwdriver, toothbrush and a can of Mr muscle oven cleaner to get the rubbish out.

[Lord O War]

Egr valves are a royal pain in the bum. My old mk3 mondeo sttdci would go through one every 40000ish miles there were several failure types. Sticks open, means car would be a pig to start and keep running at low speeds, stick closed you would not know there was a problem without the mil light.

[Doc Holliday]

I did have a look at the EGR Valve cleaners and, although I did consider using one, decided against it because it would still possibly be a pain. 

I called a mechanic I know and spoke to some time back about this. He is taking it in and will turn it off on the control module and then remap it. For what that costs, it still works out cheaper than paying someone who knows how to do these things properly to supply and fit a replacement and for that to go AWOL down the line. 

[robbiep]

Bear in mind that if the control module light doesn't light up with the ignition - and then go out - then it will now be an automatic MOT failure.

 

[Westward]

You could pick up a cheapo MIL code scanner for less the £15 on fleaBay. At least then you'd know what the fault is and if it's the egr use a fuel additive such as BG244 to clean it.

[London Best]

EGR valve was a pain on my 110. Local LR mechanic fitted a blanking plug kit and remapped the electronic wizardry bits so dash warning lights worked as normal. The job transformed the whole engine, particularly low revs flexibility.

[team tractor]

What engine and year ?

 

I had an egr replacement at £550 on my last t5.1 at 50,000 miles .

the 180 ps can cause engine failure with the egr broken .