EGR valve problem
Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2023 2:29 pm
Hi guys - first post on this forum.
Hi guys
Recently bought my son his first car, its a 2004 VW Polo 1.4 petrol.
Bought from a friend at mates rates, Great condition, he was the first owner and has really looked after it.
The engine warning light on, and I spoke with him about this he was very open about it. His mechanic was reluctant to try to remove the EGR valve to replace / clean as the 2 studs & nuts (M8) that hold it to the manifold are very rusty.
Its been like this for 3 years and he never noticed any problems driving it so the mechanic advised him to leave it alone and just reset the light the morning of every MOT. It seems to come back on after 24-48 hours from my experience so far.
My suspicion is that the EGR is stuck open or partially open, fault code is "Exhaust gas recirculation flow excessive".
I've noticed that the car is a little sluggish when accelerating, particularly when pulling away in 1st gear (manual) - which I am managing OK, but my son is struggling a bit as he is still learning to drive.
1 - I'm wondering if the EGR problem could be causing this sluggishness?
2 - Today I reset the engine light again and disconnected the plug & socket to the EGR. I expected the engine light to remain on and not be able to reset - but it has stayed off, even with engine running. I have not taken it for a run as yet, just idled on the driveway.
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EDIT - the engine light came on after driving about 3 miles, with the plug completely disconnected from the EGR valve body. I don't know if that plug / socket just powers the EGR, or also sends a signal to the ECU which triggers the engine light - maybe the signal comes from a sensor elsewhere? Fault code is "P0402 Exhaust gas recirculation flow excessive detected."
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I have been soaking the rusty studs and nuts with WD40 since the car arrived, just in case at some point I do decide to try to remove it, but I must say I agree with the mechanic, they do look very corroded and I would have the exact same worry about breaking 1 or both off, which would open a whole can of worms as its not easy to get to to drill out and retap the manifold/replace the studs.
Any mechanically experienced people able to offer me any advice?
To me the car drives great and we are really happy with it, I just can't help feeling that it would run and respond better if this were sorted.
Thanks in advance.
Johnny.
Hi guys
Recently bought my son his first car, its a 2004 VW Polo 1.4 petrol.
Bought from a friend at mates rates, Great condition, he was the first owner and has really looked after it.
The engine warning light on, and I spoke with him about this he was very open about it. His mechanic was reluctant to try to remove the EGR valve to replace / clean as the 2 studs & nuts (M8) that hold it to the manifold are very rusty.
Its been like this for 3 years and he never noticed any problems driving it so the mechanic advised him to leave it alone and just reset the light the morning of every MOT. It seems to come back on after 24-48 hours from my experience so far.
My suspicion is that the EGR is stuck open or partially open, fault code is "Exhaust gas recirculation flow excessive".
I've noticed that the car is a little sluggish when accelerating, particularly when pulling away in 1st gear (manual) - which I am managing OK, but my son is struggling a bit as he is still learning to drive.
1 - I'm wondering if the EGR problem could be causing this sluggishness?
2 - Today I reset the engine light again and disconnected the plug & socket to the EGR. I expected the engine light to remain on and not be able to reset - but it has stayed off, even with engine running. I have not taken it for a run as yet, just idled on the driveway.
-----------------
EDIT - the engine light came on after driving about 3 miles, with the plug completely disconnected from the EGR valve body. I don't know if that plug / socket just powers the EGR, or also sends a signal to the ECU which triggers the engine light - maybe the signal comes from a sensor elsewhere? Fault code is "P0402 Exhaust gas recirculation flow excessive detected."
-----------------
I have been soaking the rusty studs and nuts with WD40 since the car arrived, just in case at some point I do decide to try to remove it, but I must say I agree with the mechanic, they do look very corroded and I would have the exact same worry about breaking 1 or both off, which would open a whole can of worms as its not easy to get to to drill out and retap the manifold/replace the studs.
Any mechanically experienced people able to offer me any advice?
To me the car drives great and we are really happy with it, I just can't help feeling that it would run and respond better if this were sorted.
Thanks in advance.
Johnny.