Hi,

I have a 1.9 pd tdi octavia,with 195000 miles on the clock,and I had noticed the EGR light on recently. I took the car down to the local VW dealer who kindly run a diagnostic check (free of charge !!!),but who unfortunately could not tell me exactly what was wrong with it, since apparently, their software is different then skoda's and that I shold take it to a skoda dealer. However, they were able to pull out an error code while running their diagnostic check, which is as follows: Radiator exhaust....gas recirculators switch valve...open circuit.

If anyone could make sense of this,could you please illuminate me with what could it be wrong with my car? I have tried with my independent mechanic,but he is picking up same error and doesn't know where to go next!

Your reply is very much appreciated!

Thank you

Faulty EGR valve it sounds like. Had to do ours recently, and cost me £350.

Just get a EGR Delete kit for it, will cost like £70

Just get a EGR Delete kit for it, will cost like £70

Where from and is there a how to???

Faulty EGR valve it sounds like. Had to do ours recently, and cost me £350.

Thanks guys, EGR valve is what I suspected too. I wasn't aware that this could cause serious further damage and recently my turbo blew up, I haven't open it yet but I suspect it could only be due to blown up seals under extreme pressure caused by a malfunctioned EGR valve.

Just get a EGR Delete kit for it, will cost like £70

The new mot test will likely fail deleted cars

Thanks guys, EGR valve is what I suspected too. I wasn't aware that this could cause serious further damage and recently my turbo blew up, I haven't open it yet but I suspect it could only be due to blown up seals under extreme pressure caused by a malfunctioned EGR valve.

Turbo failure on some engines is common. Skoda may offer a decent discount if outside warranty if pressed so long as its always been serviced at a dealer.

The new mot test will likely fail deleted cars

Turbo failure on some engines is common. Skoda may offer a decent discount if outside warranty if pressed so long as its always been serviced at a dealer.

New Emissions laws are for 58 Plated + Cars (Which Should *Cough Cough* have a DPF Fitted), 1.5 was previously the fast pass for older Diesels, 1.5 is now the max for newer ones

Ive also read that they are bringing in a CAT Check for Older Diesels, EGR is part of the CAT Check so it wont affect it, EGR Delete Also wont push your emissions up that bad that it fails the old emissions rate (3.0 max 1.5 fast pass)

Since Deleting my EGR the car is smoking less actually

New Emissions laws are for 58 Plated + Cars (Which Should *Cough Cough* have a DPF Fitted), 1.5 was previously the fast pass for older Diesels, 1.5 is now the max for newer ones

It was still legal for manufacturers to sell new Euro 4 cars until autumn 2010 so there will be quite a few 58 plate and onwards diesel cars that quite legitimately aren't fitted with a DPF - PD105 and many PD140 Octavias for example.

Even 1.5 isn't very stringent though. My old 150k R-reg Xantia TD used to get readings of only around 1.0 - 1.2 on the diesel MOT emissions test!

An EGR delete would be virtually impossible for an MOT tester to detect if its done in a fairly subtle way, and as you say, removing the EGR actually reduces particulate emissions on many diesels.

I plan on an EGR delete on swmbo's oil burner, been advised that this is the one to get.

I went for one made by a company ive been dealing with called Darkside Developments

Pagey - yes, the Roadsport one is the right one to go for. Might as well go direct to Allard though. Painful as it is for me to say that, with their appalling customer service - but they make them and FR&R sell them on, so you might as well cut a bit of margin!

Tell me more about this Darkside one Andrew! Sounds interesting. Still trying to get my Motorsport one swapped for a Roadsport by Allard, but would be inclined to tell them where to go and get one from them!

Cheers,

Steve

Pagey - yes, the Roadsport one is the right one to go for. Might as well go direct to Allard though. Painful as it is for me to say that, with their appalling customer service - but they make them and FR&R sell them on, so you might as well cut a bit of margin!

Tell me more about this Darkside one Andrew! Sounds interesting. Still trying to get my Motorsport one swapped for a Roadsport by Allard, but would be inclined to tell them where to go and get one from them!

Cheers,

Steve

+1

I think I would sooner pay a mark up if it means piece of mind.

Darkside Developments are a Diesel tuning company from Yorkshire, run by Enthusiasts

Ive got one of there brand new (ive had the first one)EGR Delete kits for the 2.0 16v Engine

EGR Before (Had EGR Reducer gasket fitted)

EGR off (36k on clock)

Darkside Developments Kit fitted

I havent had the EGR Delete via mapping so the light does come on and go off alot but doesn't bother me!Also the pipe that is blocked up is supposed to be removed and blocked at the exhaust end of it, but its abit of a pain to get to so i havent bothered yet

Cheers for the info. So you retain the flap motor etc?

The Allard Motorsport version removes that you see....

And what about cost?

70 off the top of my head that includes vat and postage

you got pics of your motorsport one fitted?

OK, cheers. Reckon I'll go for that then and throw this one back to Allard. They are so far refusing to send me out a Roadsport one so I can swap them directly over. They want the Motorsport one back first and I'm damned if I'm putting everything back to standard again, THEN fitting the Roadsport

Will get you a few photos later.

Cheers,

Steve

I had the EGR delete done on my old audi and it made a massive difference

K:)

Have been in touch with the Darkside (great name!) and will order one from them today. Thanks for the heads-up Andrew

Cheers for the info. So you retain the flap motor etc?

The Allard Motorsport version removes that you see....

And what about cost?

Which part is the flap motor? Diseaseal novice here!

I havent had the EGR Delete via mapping so the light does come on and go off alot but doesn't bother me! Also the pipe that is blocked up is supposed to be removed and blocked at the exhaust end of it, but its abit of a pain to get to so i havent bothered yet.

Is this something that must be done, or is it ok to just block the pipe at the top (as you have) and leave it at that?

Have been in touch with the Darkside (great name!) and will order one from them today. Thanks for the heads-up Andrew

GROUP BUY????

tell them Andrew from TDIsport sent you

Which part is the flap motor? Diseaseal novice here!

Is this something that must be done, or is it ok to just block the pipe at the top (as you have) and leave it at that?

GROUP BUY????

No worries, It's the bit you can see at the side, with the electrical connector into it. I'll post some pics of the Allard Motorsport later and you'll see the difference quite clearly!

On the GB, I did mention that I'd be discussing this on Briskoda, especially given the shortage of available options in this area, and the general rubbishness of the competition

tell them Andrew from TDIsport sent you

I did do, thanks Price was £70 posted.

Darkside are good lads i run TDIsport aswell so having a dedicated Diesel tuner cone talk to us at Inters was great! There very much up and coming but im willing to help them build their business

Hopefully these might help as well.

OEM setup:

Darkside EGR (photo supplied to me by them, earlier today):

Then the Allard 'Motorsport' EGR pipe. Note the straight pipe and no allowance for the connection of the flap motor mechanism. This is the one I have currently fitted, after them telling me all that would happen is the engine management light would come on. Apparently I didn't ask them the right questions before ordering. They only give out the full info about their products on request. Unfortunately for me I didn't have a full and complete understanding of PD140/170 EGR operation at the time, so I relied on them. My mistake...

why you got problems with the motorsport one?

Because I don't want to loose the flap motor. It's used for other things, outwith of EGR operation. As I found out, when I visited Ben for map adjustment....