I have a 5 year old Skoda Yeti 2.0 Diesel (170) which has done nearly 110K miles (mostly driven hard / motorways).

 

Last week the dreaded Glow Plug light came on on the dashboard and the limp mode kicked in when travelling at 70mph on a motorway.  Not fun as trying to overtake a lorry at the time when lost all power!

 

The diagnostics said EGR valve fault.  :(

 

I've had a Terraclean and no joy - the light came back on a day or two later.  (But was worth a try!)

 

Have had various quotes from Skoda (£1000+VAT) to local garages quoting a little less due to the large number of hours to perform the work (propshaft needs to come out apparently!).

Limped it to a performance car garage to have a proper look at the valve and mechanism to see exactly what the issue is and what really needs to be done (mechanical or electrically).

 

Stunned that I've had this issue as rarely buy "cheap" fuel, have had the car serviced exactly as per requirements/suggestions by Skoda, motorway driving mostly and not much local short trips and so on.

 

With the recall for the 'dodgy VW emissions issue' still not been made (more than the letter saying it will need to be at some point...)  I am not impressed with the costs of replacing this part :(

 

Has anyone had similar issues?  

 

Pros/Cons of having it blanked off?

Pros/Coms of a remap to switch off the EGR in the ECU (Evolution chip/remap as Bluefin doesnt switch it off)?

 

Thanks in advance of any help / information!

My understanding is that at motorway speeds oily blowby gases are a factor and some suggest the installation of a 'catch can' which acts as an oil/air separator, the oil being the biggest factor in fouling the EGR valve.

It might be worth considering the fitment during the work involved and access if it's a 'keeper'.

Blanking plate for under a tenner, easy fit on front of engine, then get someone to map out the EGR.

Plenty of tuning companies will be able to disable the EGR (with or without a performance map).

If you use a company such as Shark, they can sell you a device that lets you switch between your original map and the new map - so you could apply/remove at will without having to physically travel to the tuner.

Shark have 25% off during March - you could blank your EGR, map it out, and go Stage 1 to ~205bhp if you wished, all for less than half the price Skoda want for replacing the EGR...something to think about.

My understanding is that at motorway speeds oily blowby gases are a factor

If that is the case running in too gently leading to high oil consumption is probably the worst you can do for EGR long life.

It would be useful for those that have an EGR fail to post their oil consumption as well.

Oil consumption doesn't seem to have been a problem for me.   Had oil changes every service, and never needed to top up in between (regularly checked I add).

If your keeping it a while i would go for an EGR delete, it will get rid your current issues and you'll see an improvement in running, smoother engine

 

You could go for a dpf delete at the same time and future proof any further issues. 

Edited 22 March, 201610 yr by DarrellGB

If that is the case running in too gently leading to high oil consumption is probably the worst you can do for EGR long life.

I always drove mine like a nanny and never added any oil between services......the reason why some get the oil consumption problem is still a mystery AFAIC.

It would be useful for those that have an EGR fail to post their oil consumption as well.

Thanks for the advice!  

 

Blanking it would mean that the Bluefin/Superchip gadget wouldn't do much good as they don't remove the EGR from the ECU?  If I wanted one of these would I have to replace the EGR Valve first? Is that correct understanding? 

 

Shark or Evolution chipping seems to remove the EGR from the ECU after blanking it off.  The Blanking off ... is that hugely labour intensive (like the EGR replace as it is a sod to get to!) or is it a quick job to do for a knowledgable garage?

I'd check out the VWWatercooled Australia (Diesel) Forum ......search EGR valve.

From what I've read it's going to require at least as much labour to access the valve to modify it........much to think about

Thanks for the advice!  

 

Blanking it would mean that the Bluefin/Superchip gadget wouldn't do much good as they don't remove the EGR from the ECU?  If I wanted one of these would I have to replace the EGR Valve first? Is that correct understanding? 

 

Shark or Evolution chipping seems to remove the EGR from the ECU after blanking it off.  The Blanking off ... is that hugely labour intensive (like the EGR replace as it is a sod to get to!) or is it a quick job to do for a knowledgable garage?

Not sure where you're based but ADE Tuning in Lancashire would be able to do all the work for you including a remap, very reasonable prices, they did my DPF delete and stage 2 remap.

Blanking off is easy. Although the EGR valve is hidden down the back of the engine, the outlet comes through the cylinder head and out the front.

So you just need to insert a blanking plate where I've circled below.

I've fitted a restrictor plate on mine (same thing, just with a small hole in) and it took me less than 10 mins to do. 

You loosen the two bolts holding the pipe on, drop the plate & gasket in, and then re-tighten.

 

 

This is the plate you want:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/91B-EGR-valve-blanking-plate-gasket-VW-AUDI-SEAT-SKODA-1-2-1-6-2-0-TDI-CR-2-Gen-/171535912704

 

I've bought from that seller, had no issues.

Once that's done, you'd need the EGR mapping out, otherwise you'll get an error light.

It might stop the limp mode in the meantime though, if you can live with the error till it's mapped out.

 

For under a tenner, I'd say it's worth a go...

Does fitting the restictor plate (*) also need recoding?

 

(*) I presume that is just this plate with a small hole drilled through it? What size hole?

 

I have a feeling mine is heading the same way as I have had the light come on twice now, both on the same bit of road, an approx 4 mile descent, where the engine is off-power the whole time. 

Yes the restrictor is just that -  a plate with a hole drilled in. Can't remember the diameter unfortunately, but I bought it from the same supplier linked to above, so they may list it and say what size it is.

No coding needed so long as the hole allows enough exhaust gas through.

 

However - I don't think it makes any difference. I bought it to see if reducing EGR rates would reduce the soot loading I get since the remap, as I've read that decreasing EGR decreases soot.

But I've not noticed any difference in distance between DPF regens; I reckon the hole would need to be smaller to have any effect, which would probably throw an error.

 

The blanking plate is cheap enough and easy to remove/fit, so you could always buy one, drill a small hole yourself (maybe just 3 or 4 mm) and then try it; increasing the hole size until no error is thrown.

 

Have you read off the fault codes, do you know it's EGR related ?

Thanks.

 

Not had the codes read as none of the garages around here say they have the equipment to do so! We're going down to Swansea one day next week to talk to one of the salesmen about a new one so I will get them to plug it in while I'm there.

Edited 23 March, 201610 yr by Llanigraham

I had a similar problem on my 140 4x4 Yeti, it was the EGR cooler that was at fault rather than the valve itself, unfortunately replacement was the only option of the whole unit, i paid £680ish at an independant vw/Audi specialist, I would normally do all of my own repairs but could barely touch the part due to the diff etc, it took 2 days to repair and they had to have the steering rack and a load more gubbins off it to fit, I'm glad i didn't tackle it!!

I believe it is a fairly common failure and the only failure on the car with 100k on it so i still consider it to be a very reliable motor

Recoding/remapping relates to the fact that the ECU needs to be told not to expect readings from the EGR valve.

 

If it's just simply removed, and a blanking plate or other restrictor is fitted, the EGR values the ECU sees will then be out of scope, to those the ECU is expecting - and the result is a dash warning light.

Does fitting the restictor plate (*) also need recoding?

 

(*) I presume that is just this plate with a small hole drilled through it? What size hole?

 

I have a feeling mine is heading the same way as I have had the light come on twice now, both on the same bit of road, an approx 4 mile descent, where the engine is off-power the whole time. 

Its an 8mm hole thats needed

Llanigraham......"Not had the codes read as none of the garages around here say they have the equipment to do so! We're going down to Swansea one day next week to talk to one of the salesmen about a new one so I will get them to plug it in while I'm there."....................why get it tested if you are thinking of changing it ,they may try to knock more of its value.?

True! Hadn't thought of that.

Changed probably one a week when I worked at a Skoda dealer. Costs a lot of money and I know a few people who have experienced 2 or more failures of this egr solenoid and cooler assembly on their engine. Real pita if you have a 4x4 Yeti. So pay out or like other's say delete it. Bear in mind the removal of any emission control is illegal and should fail the mot (depending on the knowledge of the mot tester and integrity) most people will remove it and have the egr mapped out as money talks and it will undoubtedly run better. Who cares about lung cancer if it's going to cost people 4 figure sums.

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Edited 23 March, 201610 yr by FLAPPERJACK7

Update : just limped the car back home having had it sat at an Evolution chipping company as they say that they cannot remap with the EGR fault as the code will not clear in the ECU.  

 

The code I have is P0403 EGR Valve Malfunction.

 

Wasn't a fun drive back - motorways around Cheltenham/Swindon are hilly and so was doing a max of 55mph and overtaken by lorries in places (the shame!).... plus it scarcely got up the hills on the A417 out of Cheltenham itself.  Very shameful / embarrassing / bad publicity for Skoda I'd say!

 

 

However, have found a local independent garage to replace the EGR unit for £470 !   Deal !  Let's hope that a straight replacement is all it is

 

Then I will think about remapping it with Bluefin after (sadly they offer no EGR remove)...

Not sure where you're based but ADE Tuning in Lancashire would be able to do all the work for you including a remap, very reasonable prices, they did my DPF delete and stage 2 remap.

 

I wish I was!  I am down near Swindon (Wiltshire).   

I wish I was!  I am down near Swindon (Wiltshire).   

 

There must be some good tuners nearby, having said that, I'm doing a 5hr round trip for Shark Performance to work on mine

There must be some good tuners nearby, having said that, I'm doing a 5hr round trip for Shark Performance to work on mine

 

Yeah, but you only work on Sundays..................................

 

(joke by the way)