Superb 2012 2.0 tdi 90k miles

 

Flashing glow plug light came on driving the other day and then reduced power mode

Plugged in to see code  P0403

 

Turn engine off and it's then been OK for many miles , it's a bit concerning as I use car to tow a light caravan and limp mode on a motorway wont be fun

 

So it points towards EGR issue, yet the car drives perfectly, no idle issues , no flat spots , no hesitation , engine temps all look normal 

So for reliability do I start to consider changing the EGR ? Might be cheaper to change to EGR vacuum solenoid first as that's only £45 ?

 

Could it be an electrical issue / poor connection causing this fault code? 

 

Any advice please, thanks

What is the engine code ?

Are you sure it has a vacuum solenoid on the EGR ?

 

Code in post P0403

Yes it has a vacuum solenoid

One part of the EGR is motor operated , there is also a other part vacuum operated 

Engine code is not the same thing as fault code. Your engine code is the letters in front of the engine number on your V5c ownership certificate, also often on a barcode sticker on the upper cambelt cover.

 

Is the vacuum solenoid you mean maybe item 26 here: exhaust gas recirculation - Superb(SUP) [EUROPA 2012 year] (7zap.com) ?

 

Not heard of trouble with that, and heard about lots of trouble with the EGR itself, but you never know..

Edited 11 December, 20214 yr by Wino

Have a look at the EGR topics recently running in the Superb2 section, probably be the same engine as yours.

 

It sound as though your EGR is starting to fail & will only get worse.

 

An EGR Simulator is a much cheaper & permanent solution.

Hi

 

By engine code I mean fault code as in post above P0403 = EGR circuit fault

 

Strangely enough I have done 2 long journeys and all OK at present

 

I have purchased an emulator EGR delete and will keep this in reserve , at present I am running fuel cleaner in the tank now and will also try an EGR spray cleaner for what it's worth 

 

If EGR completely fails I can then delete it , however the car is running so well and never showed any physical signs of hesitation / poor idle etc that I will carry on as I am at present and see how things go 

Yes but when PipH asked you what your engine code is he meant 'engine code'; the only precise way of knowing which engine type we are talking about.

Different engine types may have different EGR set-ups, so finding out what we/you are dealing with is quite handy information. 

 

I fear that fuel cleaners and other varieties of snake oil will not unblock a sooted-up valve.

I spoke with Skoda parts quoting car info for a price on new EGR ( £340 plus vat )

 

They confirmed there is a vacuum solenoid which does something to the EGR, about £45 plus vat

 

I note your comments re Engine Code , I also agree to a degree about EGR cleaners and injector cleaners in the fuel tank

 

The only real way to clean an EGR is strip / soak and clean it

 

It would be interesting to fully understand how the EGR opens , when / how long / what temperature / stays open / open & closes / how frequent 

 

Anyway, my emulator delete arrives in post today, so if my EGR continues to play up in the future I can fit it 

 

 

Not the same engine, and I'm not sure if the EGR valve is exactly the same or not, but I found this link educational, especially with regard to what the pneumatic side of these valves appears to control:

EURO ACADEMY Blog: Volkswagen Group, 1.6 CAYC diesel engine, exhaust gas recirculation system - EGR. (carworkshopblog.blogspot.com)

 

"A pneumatic valve actuates the gas bypass flap. When the coolant temperature is lower than 30 °C, the gas does not pass through the [EGR cooler heat] exchanger. When the coolant reaches 30°C, the gas is allowed to flow to the exchanger."