EGR sensor issue...?

[The Seer]

Firstly the car is 1.2 TDi Bluemotion, a 12 plate with most likely an emissions update done by the previous owner.

I wondered if anyone might be able to shed some light on the following issue...

Engine check light illuminated, so a trip to the local independent garage. A diagnostic reveals an error code of P0402, the mechanic tells me it's a problem with EGR Temperature Sensor.

However, and here's the problem, apparently there's four EGR sensors and the error code doesn't denote exactly what one it is!!

This means I could end up replacing multiple sensors until the faulty culprit is revealed?!?

Any suggestions greatly appreciated

[iichel]

9 out of 10 times it's the EGR valve/cooler itself.
If you've done the emissions update. here in Switzerland we get the repair reimbursed by VW since it's covered by warranty of the SW update for the emissions.

[The Seer]

9 out of 10 times it's the EGR valve/cooler itself.
If you've done the emissions update. here in Switzerland we get the repair reimbursed by VW since it's covered by warranty of the SW update for the emissions.

Ah, so the emissions update somehow effects the EGR valve and or cooler?

I've no idea when the emissions update was carried out but the car was bought with 42k and is now on 62k, the fault has just occurred.

[iichel]

Yes, to reduce the emissions of fine particles like nitrous oxide, the EGR is opening more and longer.
This already brittle part of the 1.2 and 1.6TDI engine is now stressed even more and more prone to failure.
You can probably inform at VW and quote the chassis number (WVWZZZ6RZ... etc) to see if it had the update and what possibilities there are.

If the update has been done, and they refuse to reimburse the repair, you could try some more legals steps if you have legal insurance.
VW Germany, Switzerland and Netherlands (possibly more) recognise the issue on this engine after the SW update, although not publicly.
62k miles is not as much as you can expect from this part, it should last the lifetime of a car....

[RUM4MO]

From what I have read on these VW Group forums, VW UK also gives some form of extra warranty after emissions updating has been done, so as iichel has suggested, contact even your local VW dealership and get them to check what emissions update work has been carried out on that car, if that does not help you get this fixed FOC, contact VW UK.

[The Seer]

Yes, to reduce the emissions of fine particles like nitrous oxide, the EGR is opening more and longer.
This already brittle part of the 1.2 and 1.6TDI engine is now stressed even more and more prone to failure.
You can probably inform at VW and quote the chassis number (WVWZZZ6RZ... etc) to see if it had the update and what possibilities there are.

If the update has been done, and they refuse to reimburse the repair, you could try some more legals steps if you have legal insurance.
VW Germany, Switzerland and Netherlands (possibly more) recognise the issue on this engine after the SW update, although not publicly.
62k miles is not as much as you can expect from this part, it should last the lifetime of a car....

Thanks for the info there I would like to be compensated but the car is due to be sold imminently. Also, since work has already begun via the independent garage I'm keen to get it fixed and move on.

I'm a little puzzled to why the mechanic seemed to think fault code was P0402 supposedly relating to EGR temperature sensor and not EGR valve/cooler?