Hi, I've got a 2010 Fabia 1.9TDI. Had it since Christmas. I don't think it's been serviced since 2017. My knowledge of all things auto is rubbish - so bear with me!!

So about 2 weeks ago the 'coil engine light' came on (flashing). As per the forums here I changed my brake light bulbs. No change. A day or so later the 'Engine management' light came on and it's been in limp mode ever since. I put in some Wynns particulate filter. No change.  I took it to a garage who said it needed a new EGR (£500 for replacing it with a Skoda one from new).

 

As the £500 is not a option at the moment I thought I'd try a few things first. As per the forum here, I bought an EGR spray (£17).  I took off the air filter and sprayed half a can in the pipe there and took it for a long run. No change. One guy on a forum said it should be sprayed in the fatter tube below the one that I did it in, but I was not happy to do this as 1. I couldn't get the sort fat pipe off  with the jubilee clips loose and 2. I bottled it as a novice in worrying territory!!. So then I spryed the other half of the can in the same place the next day. No change.

 

So next I bought a OBD 2 meter for £20 and got 2 fault codes. P0406 c or P0407  I think (can't remember now!) I re-set the codes so that I could drive it normally & not in limp mode. Then I put in a bottle of 'Cataclean' with 1/4 of a tank left and gave it an Italian service of doing 70mph in 4th gear for 15-20 mins once the fault code re-set had worked.

 

The 'engine management light went out!!! (the one shaped like an engine block) But the coil light has returned an hour later and flashes still - but randomly. ie it  is not there when I start and comes on after 15 mins and stays on.

Any suggestions - should I throw in a bottle of BG244 for example??  Should I buy a new brake light switch - or do the codes mean that it is the EGR? Any advice is much appreciated. 

one code means it’s sticking open, the other code means it’s sticking closed.  Either way, it’s not cycling the same as what the ECU is commanding (or the wires/plug is suddenly duff).  As it’s 15mins in, I’d suggest it’s sticking closed and not opening when it should.
 

Fortunately the 1.9 is accessible to clean up.  Give this a whirl

 

https://youtu.be/bbUNGjY3T9s

Edited 2 September, 20205 yr by globalste

Hi Globalste, unfortunately it's not that layout, or I would have tried. It's tucked at the back and down a level! As per these pics... 

it looks like either your dampener is cracked like mine was, or the O ring is worn out as well. That's a separate thing from your EGR issue. 

also am I right in thinking that looks like a 1.6 tdi?

Doh! Yes!! Not a 1.9 - it's a 1.6.!! 

So, just imagine that the person you are helping hasn't got a clue what a dampener or an O-ring is...!! 

I mean, I'd never even heard of an EGR until Friday. 

What's my next step? 

 

alright, Ignoring the blue paint marks all over the engine bay and the oil on those injectors.

 

There isn't much yourself can do if you're not car DIYing. To remove and replace this EGR valve its and intensive half the car in bits job. You're only have 3 options here

 

1. Take it to a garage for them to replace the valve at an extensive cost.

2. take it to a tuning company where they can cancel out the error and remap your engine. It has it's consequences down the line.

3.  one of these. But you need someone to install it as it can be difficult to access the EGR

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/09-EGR-AGR-Valve-Simulator-Emulator-Plates-for-VW-Audi-Skoda-Seat-1-6-TDI-CR/183869312895?hash=item2acf770f7f:g:A9gAAOSwqPFdHF~4

 

I'm sure others will advise further. Good luck.

 

P.s. that dampener is the least of your worries. Ignore that

if it’s a 1.6 then it requires the subframe dropping at the front to replace the EGR as quickly and easily as possible; the egr is an all in one unit with a cooler attached and you can’t really do much with it mechanically except remove it and replace it, or blank it.  I’ve heard of much worse quotes to get it done than £500 that’s for sure...  

 

You could try some Archoil 6400dmax, it’s pretty potent stuff but it has been known to free up EGR valves from stories on the EA189 groups.  What can follow sticky EGR valves is DPF problems, what is the mileage on your car?

 

i know a man in Basingstoke who may be able to code out the EGR moving and leave it closed, and mechanically, Autowork in Salisbury are pretty amazing at anything with a VAG label on it.

 

i do have VagDPf which we can have a quick look at what is actually happening for certain, it will also tell us if you’ve had the EA189 emissions update (if you aren’t the first owner), which would cause EGR issues.  Which side of Romsey are you?

 

did you buy it from a dealer by the way?  It’s a bit of a stretch at 8mths for consumer law mind.

Also, what is that box nonchalantly cable-tied to your bonnet release cable??

I bought it privately from an old guy who I think only did the shopping in it. I'm in N Baddesley. Milage is 136K. I've been really happy with it up until last week. 

South Romsey, so you possibly won’t make it to me in Salisbury without a limp mode happening then.
 

if it were me, this is what I would do:

 

check on the status of the car using VagDPf or VCDS for egr movement and dpf ash residue (it may not have much life left at that mileage)

check on EA189 emissions update and any other error codes (the garage you went to probably wiped them all sadly).  
If it has an ea189 update then get it rolled back and this will reduce EGR cycles.  Code out EGR is also possible.

remove that tuning box from the common rail.

run some 6400dmax through it.

change the oil and the filter (your engine looks like someone forgot to put the dipstick back in it)

This would give your engine And EGR the best chance of running normally.  Then see what happens.  Worst case, you would have wanted to do the above anyway.

 

i could probably come and help you with the above (except rollback and coding), a filter is a few ££ from euro car parts and oil is £34 trade from Halfrauds if you use Castrol Edge

Edited 2 September, 20205 yr by globalste

I use wynns dpf cleaner regularly in mine mileage on mine is 261k kms 

thats 162k miles on original dpf and egr although it’s remapped

Edited 2 September, 20205 yr by joedemp

2 hours ago, globalste said:

South Romsey, so you possibly won’t make it to me in Salisbury without a limp mode happening then.
 

if it were me, this is what I would do:

 

check on the status of the car using VagDPf or VCDS for egr movement and dpf ash residue (it may not have much life left at that mileage)

check on EA189 emissions update and any other error codes (the garage you went to probably wiped them all sadly).  
If it has an ea189 update then get it rolled back and this will reduce EGR cycles.  Code out EGR is also possible.

remove that tuning box from the common rail.

run some 6400dmax through it.

change the oil and the filter (your engine looks like someone forgot to put the dipstick back in it)

This would give your engine And EGR the best chance of running normally.  Then see what happens.  Worst case, you would have wanted to do the above anyway.

 

i could probably come and help you with the above (except rollback and coding), a filter is a few ££ from euro car parts and oil is £34 trade from Halfrauds if you use Castrol Edge

That's a very generous offer. I would be happy to drive it over to you. (As long as its not putting you out)..The only thing on that list that I could do is pour the 6400! 

Hi so you can get the egr delete pipe for the fabia vrs 1.9tdi but I’ve seen the shorter delete pipe so you can keep the anti shudder valve, people say you will still get a engine management even with the shudder valve still plugged in then the egr vac pipe would still be connected to the delete pipe. Can some help as really you shouldn’t as everything still connected cheers John 

I know it’s probably been repeated but can’t find it cheers 

he's got a 1.6TDI not a PD. He made a mistake at the beginning.