Hi guys, I'm a new user here looking for a tip.

 

Alright so bear with me, I'm a bit of a noob when it comes to cars.

 

So I've got an engine warning light on, and the culprit seems to be the EGR valve (I'm sorry, I don't have the code for it)

 

Since replacing the EGR is an expense I'd really like to avoid, I'm looking to try a can of Wynn's EGR cleaner first to see if it helps.

 

Thing is... I'm not sure exactly where to spray the damn stuff. The instructions say to remove the filter and spray into the intake manifold - which seems simple to me, but I want to be certain so I don't end up breaking something.

 

Now I can get so far as to take off the plastic engine cover with the in-built filter. To the rear of the engine I can see the manifold, with a very big circular opening with a valve just inside it.

 

This seems to me to be the place to spray - but I'd very much appreciate it if someone can confirm or deny this for me. For instance, I know you're not supposed to get this stuff in your MAF. Am I likely to even have a MAF beyond that point?

 

See, this is why I'm asking you.

 

I haven't got a photo of my engine compartment right now, I can update with one at a later point (ie, when it's not dark out) if that would help. Knowing you lot, you probably know the configuration I'm talking about anyway lol.

 

So... Yeah. That's my question I suppose. Try as I might, I just can't seem to find a definitive answer on the Google - all the engine bay configurations I can find seem to be completely different to mine. If someone here can kindly tell me "go for it" or "Jesus Christ don't do that you complete plonker" then it'd be very much appreciated! I just wanna see if this stuff can help out before shelling out £££ on a replacement.

 

Thanks!

You have a 1.4 16V petrol engine so the EGR valve won't be dirty, it has probably stopped working completely.

Forget the spray jizz, it won't do anything.

21 minutes ago, Steele said:

and the culprit seems to be the EGR valve

According to what information?

 

You should consider investing in a cheap cable and downloading the freeware version of VCDS onto a laptop.  Then you'll have the capability to read the error codes yourself.

Probably nearly as cheap as the waste of money EGR spray, which you should return if possible.

Edited 14 February, 20215 yr by Wino

Happy to oblige knowing that you will appreciate it:

 

go for it" or "Jesus Christ don't do that you complete plonker"

Edited 14 February, 20215 yr by J.R.

Thanks for the input guys, maybe I’ll take a look at a cable to try and get the code and see what’s up.

 

All I know is that it’s a problem with the EGR valve, but not *specifically* what’s up.
 

Figured that an attempt at cleaning could be worth a shot before committing to having the EGR replaced.

How do you know it's EGR related, presumably not just a guess?

 

It's going to be an EGR valve near the exhaust manifold rather than one near the intake manifold on your engine; whether that is 1.2/12 valve or 1.4/16 valve.

The stainless steel pipe around the nearside end of the engine head conveys the recirculated gases from EGR at the front, to intake manifold just under the throttle valve. 

This pipe sometimes gets blocked at the intake manifold end, but mechanical rather than chemical unblocking is the way to go with that.

 

 

4 hours ago, Wino said:

How do you know it's EGR related, presumably not just a guess?

 

It's going to be an EGR valve near the exhaust manifold rather than one near the intake manifold on your engine; whether that is 1.2/12 valve or 1.4/16 valve.

The stainless steel pipe around the nearside end of the engine head conveys the recirculated gases from EGR at the front, to intake manifold just under the throttle valve. 

This pipe sometimes gets blocked at the intake manifold end, but mechanical rather than chemical unblocking is the way to go with that.

 

 

It’s been through the garage and the fault cleared before, back when there was no  chance of me being able to afford to have it worked on properly.

 

So that’s how I know there’s an EGR fault though any more detail than that - not sure.

 

was hoping for it to be a “clean or replace this one part” sorta thing but if there’s a chance it could be to do with something attached to it then I’m gonna have to get myself a definite error code methinks.

 

thanks for your time though guys!

Please confirm engine type; the typical  EGR-related faults aren't the same on 1.2 and 1.4, according to my impressions.

 

Cleaning the throttle-body end of the EGR pipe, or at least looking at it to see if it's occluded with oily soot should be a first step; and asking the garage what the fault code is/was, they should have a record.

15 minutes ago, Wino said:

Please confirm engine type; the typical  EGR-related faults aren't the same on 1.2 and 1.4, according to my impressions.

 

Cleaning the throttle-body end of the EGR pipe, or at least looking at it to see if it's occluded with oily soot should be a first step; and asking the garage what the fault code is/was, they should have a record.

It’s a 1.2

 

(Yes I had to look that up on the DVLA I can never bloody remember lol)

 

A friend of a friend might be able to read the code so I’ll try and hit them up before I go paying the garage just to plug it in.
 

So here’s a question about the VCDS cables. I definitely can’t afford to be buying the expensive units that can do all the reprogramming stuff, I don’t think it would see enough use to justify the price. Are the cheap units that just read and clear codes worth it in your opinion?

VCDS Lite, freeware, plus an FTDI cable (OBD2 plug to USB converter) is all you need. The latter should be under £20 even from highly reputable sources such as Gendan.  (I have this one: VW Audi Seat Skoda USB Interface for VAG-COM 409.1 or VCDS Lite - most VAG 1996-2003 (gendan.co.uk))  You can safely ignore the bit where it suggests compatibility up to 2003 only, all mk1 Fabias are OK with it.

 

How many miles has the car done?

Edited 15 February, 20215 yr by Wino

1 hour ago, Wino said:

VCDS Lite, freeware, plus an FTDI cable (OBD2 plug to USB converter) is all you need. The latter should be under £20 even from highly reputable sources such as Gendan.  (I have this one: VW Audi Seat Skoda USB Interface for VAG-COM 409.1 or VCDS Lite - most VAG 1996-2003 (gendan.co.uk))  You can safely ignore the bit where it suggests compatibility up to 2003 only, all mk1 Fabias are OK with it.

 

How many miles has the car done?

it’s done 97.5k

 

I’ll check out that cable, thanks. If my laptop will let me move it without being plugged into the mains then it might be useful!

The fault we had on our 1.2 was 17811 'EGR control difference'; which I believe means basically that it was sticking in some positions rather than closing properly when not energised.

 

There is a recognised, fairly dramatic failure mode of the valve on the 1.2/12v engines, detailed here, but don't assume that has happened to yours without looking at it.  Ours also showed some early signs of starting to leak at this core-plug, with the plug and orifice having become just-noticeably oval and slight signs of soot leakage: 

 

 

pg-si-0084-en-web.pdf

Of course the other thing to consider is that if the only symptom of the fault is that the CEL comes on then you can safely ignore it and just continue using the car.

Thanks guys, you’re being very patient while dealing with a complete moron haha.

 

So this light has been on for a fair old while now, but the car does run. Didn’t really have a choice in the matter, paying for the work to be done wasn’t possible at the time; it was either stop driving it or drive it and cross fingers.

 

The car runs, and to be honest that’s pretty much all I need, though it’s a little grumpy when it first starts but once it has warmed up it seems to be, well, alright. Nothing special but it goes from A to B.

 

Someone is coming this evening to plug it in so we can get a proper code out of it.