Hello!

 

I've been using this forum quite a bit since I purchased my 2000 Fabia at the end of last year, it's always been super helpful, but finally need to post my own question. Before I start I should mention I am a complete newbie - but an enthusiastic one!

 

I've been having issues with EGR valve giving CEL. I've taken it to a garage twice, the first time the guy cleaned the valve, the second (another garage) he suggested it be replaced. I had a look for as much info as I could and found this definitely isn't a rare occurrence on this engine (my engine is the AUB).

 

I am going to attempt to clean out the various parts that I've read to be particularly associate with causing these problems, namely the EGR valve and the throttle body and inlet manifold.

 

Furthermore, I've been noticing really high oil consumption - I have to top up with oil after several days of light use (most of my journeys are mostly short). I use 10w40 synthetic oil. I've read that cleaning the crankcase breather can help reduce oil consumption if a block is causing the excessive consumption, so I'm looking into cleaning that too.

 

I've searched this forum extensively, and found all the info I know through these (until yesterday, I had no idea what a throttle body is, and even struggled getting the engine cover off). But I need a few more personalised to my situation tips I think.

 

I made a start on it tonight - I gave the battery a good clean first as there was sticky white gunk all over the terminals.

 

When I removed the engine cover and took off the attached air filter I noticed there is oil coating the pipes there - is this normal? Even the air filter fins were a bit black on the first inch or so. Is it okay to clean these pipes to get rid of this grease/oil.

 

I located the the crankcase breather hose behind the dipstick and it seemed pretty clean to me - some grease, but no white 'mayo'. My problem is getting to the block to clean it out - it seems virtually unreachable from above. I can see where the hose attaches onto, but I can't even see any bolts when looking down there.

 

It's a similar story with the EGR valve - I can't reach in there to get at the nuts. What tool(s) do you guys recommend for getting into these tight/awkward spaces? As I said, I'm a newbie, so I only have basic screwdrivers/hex keys for general use - nothing motor specific.

 

I successfully removed the throttle body and it's pretty gross in there so will clean it out thoroughly. I notice, however, the wiring connecting the throttle body and egr valve. I understand removing this will mean it requires adapting when reinstalled and I have vag-com to do this. But I wanted to ask when I remove the multiplug, can I soak the whole throttle body unit to clean? It seems like there's still eletronics inside it.

 

Also with the throttle body - the butterfly valve on mine is really stiff - I gently prodded it and couldn't move it at all with all the carbon/crap. Is it supposed to be stiff on these electric valves? I've seen videos of people cleaning the valve and it seems to move freely, but not sure if they were mechanical or eletrical.

 

Finally, I guess, what do you guys recommend to clean? I wanted to try soaking/flushing the crankcase breather block, egr valve and throttle body. The majority of cleaners I see though are aerosols. What can be used to soak these components in or should I just stick with aerosols?

 

I believe that's all for now - sorry about the long post and many questions. I understand the general idea of what I need to do, it's mostly the specific things like is there electronics inside that make it not suitable for cleaning; what tools can I use to actually remove these components etc.

 

Thanks for the help in advance, guys.

A little oil in the neighbourhood of the air filter is not uncommon, and should be cleaned away as far as poss.

 

Greasy stuff on the battery terminals was probably a protective coating deliberately put there to prevent corrosion of the crucial contact areas.  Leaving it there may have been better than removing it.  Vaseline makes for a perfectly effective replacement though.

 

On a petrol car the EGR valve itself doesn't get too mucky, as they run very hot, it's usually the other end of the pipework, at the throttle body, that needs cleaning/clearing. If you are determined to take the valve off, here's my advice:

 

EGR valve won't need the ECU to be re-adapted to it unless the ignition is switched on while the valve is unplugged, so don't do this and you'll be OK.  Penetrating oil such as PlusGas (aerosol) recommended on the nuts before attempting to loosen.  A few applications an hour apart will give best chance.  6-sided socket of the correct size (can't remember if it's 12 or 13mm, but if a 13 seems a bit loose, try a 12 before you give the 13 any heave on your ratchet handle). Be careful of any other components/wiring that your hand and/or the ratchet handle may 'crash into' when the nuts first break loose.  If the nuts are rusted badly, acquire some replacements before undoing.  You really should replace the gaskets either side of the valve too if you take it off, but you can probably get away with re-using the old ones.

 

Throttle body: don't dunk the whole thing in a solvent, and don't try to force open the butterfly.  Clean from both sides using an old toothbrush and carburettor cleaner (aerosol) and lots of kitchen roll for wiping.  If you don't unplug the electrics, but just work with the thing more-or-less where it was, just rotating within reach of the loom, you won't need to re-adapt the ECU.  Just be careful not to strain any wiring.

Thanks for the advice, Wino 

 

I just finished working on it today. I cleaned out the air filter box as much as I could first.

 

I also cleaned up the throttle body and the intake manifold. I did as you suggested - just leaving it attached to eletrics so no need to adapt which is good as I'm not sure how reliable my cheapo VAG-com cable is.

I got the majority of the carbon off, so now it actually looks silver rather than black throughout. The little valve thing that protrudes from the intake manifold (no clue what it is called) was filled with carbon that I scraped out with a thin hex key.

 

I attempted to remove the egr valve, but promptly gave up. I found a ratchet that fit into the nooks and crannies, but none of the bolts budged a millimeter. I also wasn't 100% sure which bolts I was to loosen. The main one I could see was a normal six sided bolt. The other two I could see required a 6mm hex key. None of them loosened so I just gave up.

 

I also had another look for the crankcase breather but when I follow the hose down into the black block thats as far as I can see. I don't see any bolts at all from above. Has anyone had success removing this block from this engine without going underneath the car?

 

Well, I'm happy at least that the throttle body is clean along with the intake manifold. Let's see if that stops the pesky egr problems. As for excessive oil consumption, I guess I'll just monitor it and hope that if its something more serious like worn piston rings that the engine will last a little longer.

 

I also had another look for the crankcase breather but when I follow the hose down into the black block thats as far as I can see. I don't see any bolts at all from above. Has anyone had success removing this block from this engine without going underneath the car?

 

 

 

Replaced mine.......from under the car.............................and even then you need to be right under................

 

BUT it can be done from above......just put a cover over the engine and use a stepladder/step-up board to get yourself further over the engine............and only three torx or hex  bolts to undo.......................get a new one from the dealers chepish as well