Hi folks,

 

The question I'm looking for an answer on is, is it safe to run my 2009 Octavia VRS Diesel without the EGR cooler having coolant running through it for a few days?

 

So further to my previous post it would seem that the problem with my cars blowing rough start, initial smoke blowing and coolant loss is the EGR cooler.

 

On getting it up on the ramp my mechanic could see water coming from between the turbo and DPF.  He took the oulet and inlet pipes off the EGR cooler and joined them and it seems to be better now, though apparently the dial temp drops from 90 to 70 sometimes, though that might be another issue, the heating apparently works now as well.

 

So he has asked if I can drive it for a bit to see if excluding the EGR means the car loses no more coolant and always starts up, in which case we know the culprit and can change the EGR.  He just doesnt want to change the EGR without ensuring that it is the offending beastie because its so damn expensive.

 

Cheers folks!

 

Yes, it should be fine.  Your mechanic is wise to try to prove the fault is localised to that item. 

If the car seems to drive the same without cooled EGR, and no fault codes are generated, I would be tempted to leave it that way.  But probably not a great idea, as you'll then have an exhaust leak into the engine bay, unless you block off the coolant hose stubs robustly.

Edited 18 January, 20215 yr by Wino

May be just connect one EGR stub to the other with some rubber pipe & clips, that will stop any exhaust leak.

 

EGR is an expensive thing to change, & not the most reliable part on the car even from new.

 

 

 

Exhaust & rubber pipe aren't a good mix.

 

You can get blanking plates for the EGR flanges, I have some languishing in my kitchen, I think that you can block the flow to the EGR with them, they were supplied with my EGR emulator/simulator for that purpose, or maybe it was for if the actuator was stuck open, you had better check.

 

If they can be used the engine is likely then to show a fault code so a £99 emulator/simulator will finish the job and save a fortune on replacing a part which is likely to fail again especially if a pattern part, you will also benefit from better driveability, fuel economy and no more clogging of the throttle valve.

 

Editted, I think I understand what you mean about the stubs now, sounds like the EGR has a direct connection to the exhaust & the stubs are for the coolant, in which case a small leak probably wont produce enough gas to melt the rubber hose.

Edited 19 January, 20215 yr by J.R.