Hello!

 

My EGR life is getting to the end.

It's not completely dead. It works 20day, and off 4 day. Than 1 months, and 5 day off... and so on. Warning comes on (and also lack of power) and than it works again in couple of days.

 

Has anyone experienced such a behavior; not dead, but getting sick)?

How did you solved the problem? By fixing, replacing or EGR deleting and remapping?

 

Thanks for answers.

I would suggest a good clean out - EGR valves don't generally get to their end of life...they just usually need cleaning out.  Do you mean DPF?  DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter's) do need occassionally replacing, but recommend getting it flushed out first.

Suggest running either a tank or two of Super Diesel or some Cetane improved through your car to improve the burn cycle and help clean out the EGR valve and try and keep the DPF cleaner. 

 

When was the last time the car did a FULL regen?  Can you take the car on a long - 100kms plus / fast run (130kph plus if possible).  Short journeys don't work well with the TDI engines.

Hi looks like i am having similar issues 

 

My car is a 2017my last of the pre-facelifts VRS 121k miles full dealer service history, I have had the DPF flushed last year along with all new heater plugs, My driving is normal a mix of 8 mile commute to a 250 miles a day motorway run i often use the paddles and drive using higher revs, my latest issues are under load in high gear the  heater plug light comes on and flashes, This limits power and removes the cruise control function this is cleared by turning off and turning back on again. I believe this could be the EGR being clogged not seating or an error. I will keep you updated on the progress, it is booked in for the EGR clean and dpf "clean" and map. after its MOT on the 30/01 I am definitely running reduced power and the car just doesn't want to pull through the gears like i did. My mpg on a 70mph run is roughly 37 mpg, I am also putting 5l of oil in it every 2.5k miles.

6 minutes ago, Droidy said:

I am also putting 5l of oil in it every 2.5k miles

Yes, that's excessive.  5Litres of oil every 2500 miles.  I think VAG state 0.5l of oil per 1000 miles as acceptable.  The issue is that excessive oil consumption has probably blocked the DPF.  Suggest getting the engine looked at / compression tested etc as your first priority.

thanks for the reply, i am looking into getting some TLC for it its not throwing codes which is just baffling. the egr and dpf work is booked in. forgot to mention its been running a stage 1 map for the last 60k miles 

Hello!

 

Tnx for answers. Well, My Octavia is 2014, CKFC engine. I have never done any major repairs and nor like cleaning EGR and DPF. And so far no extra oil consumption.

OBD reading says EGR problems. DPF regeneration occurs occasionally. Because problem is more on and off; i can assume EGR works and it's sticking Maybe it needs just cleaning... idk.

 

I might start with cleaning DPF and proceeding with EGR inspection (cleaning/replacing). Maybe DPF isn't cause of problem, but cleaning doesn't hurt

What do u think?

 

Anybody has different experience?

 

TNX

 

Perhaps start with the known problem, EGR.

 

And maybe let the DPF be if it does not give problems. You can get it cleaned when it is a problem.

VW Group/ Skoda says every engine for decades now 'May use 0.5 litres 1,000 km.)   621 miles / 1 litre 1,242 miles.

 

They do not say that is acceptable in normal use in the UK where there are no High Alpine Passes in High Summer and you are towing nothing.

& what ever a Dealership says about Within tolerances, ask them to show a document and not an owners manual. 

6 hours ago, varaderoguy said:

Yes, that's excessive.  5Litres of oil every 2500 miles.  I think VAG state 0.5l of oil per 1000 miles as acceptable.  The issue is that excessive oil consumption has probably blocked the DPF.  Suggest getting the engine looked at / compression tested etc as your first priority.

5 litres in 2500 is not good at all. is there any signs of an oil leak. It could be puddling on the engine undertray and dropping onto road when driving or it  may be failing turbo seals and burning it/valve stem seals etc . are you getting any blue smoke from exhaust? At 5 litres/2500 you would almost be able to just change the oil filter  as I reckon the oil would be almost new. Must be costing you a fair bit in oil.

Alasdair

On 27/01/2025 at 17:37, Alasdair1 said:

5 litres in 2500 is not good at all. is there any signs of an oil leak. It could be puddling on the engine undertray and dropping onto road when driving or it  may be failing turbo seals and burning it/valve stem seals etc . are you getting any blue smoke from exhaust? At 5 litres/2500 you would almost be able to just change the oil filter  as I reckon the oil would be almost new. Must be costing you a fair bit in oil.

Alasdair

Yes I agree the cost is getting silly its using 15l between services approx. I cant see any oil leaks and have checked the lower tray just in case it is pooling, I was advised it may be the motor dropping oil and fuel into the DPF to do a regen but i want sure if that was B/S or not, After 90 mins it often not always flashes up dpf see owner manual. not sure if the 2016 engine is any different to the 2014. I plan to have the EGR cleaned and the map reversed and DPF cleaned again I will keep the thread posted

Cant see engine oil being used for dpf regen. Its normally diesel only. It must be either being burnt or leaking. If you were burning that amount you would have I reckon a fair bit of blue/grey smoke unless the DPF is catching it and continuosly regenerating? Check that the intercooler pipes arent full of oil as well. Had an old volvo940 that was losing oil and turned out turbo seals had gone and it was being dumped into intercooler and pipes as well as burning it. No DPF on it so was fairly noticeable especially if at idle for a while then loads of blue smoke when taking off

Alasdair

20 hours ago, Alasdair1 said:

Cant see engine oil being used for dpf regen. Its normally diesel only. It must be either being burnt or leaking. If you were burning that amount you would have I reckon a fair bit of blue/grey smoke unless the DPF is catching it and continuosly regenerating? Check that the intercooler pipes arent full of oil as well. Had an old volvo940 that was losing oil and turned out turbo seals had gone and it was being dumped into intercooler and pipes as well as burning it. No DPF on it so was fairly noticeable especially if at idle for a while then loads of blue smoke when taking off

Alasdair

when its back from MOT today I will check it is running like a scabby dog at the minute

Short update

I decided to replace faulty EGR and clean DPF. Soon after begging of DPF cleaning, it shuttered into peaces. So decision was made; EGR replacement and DPF restoring  (new honeycomb).

But I ended up at remapping - of course, without EGR and DPF removal. Obviously both things had to be done.

 

Horses came out of stable in total legal way

On 11/02/2025 at 07:48, tetoon said:

Short update

I decided to replace faulty EGR and clean DPF. Soon after begging of DPF cleaning, it shuttered into peaces. So decision was made; EGR replacement and DPF restoring  (new honeycomb).

But I ended up at remapping - of course, without EGR and DPF removal. Obviously both things had to be done.

 

Horses came out of stable in total legal way

The egr and dpf issues are a nightmare, mine is reading 600mb at 50% throttle or 9psi I believe which is 3 times more than it should. dpf getting a soak clean turbo getting bench tested for oil seals, looks like ill be keeping the car for another 2 years. not sure of cost yet but it wont be cheap, might get it demapped back to stock

My late mk2 2013 octavia 2.0 16v 4x4 has some of the same problems occasionally such as poor acceleration clattering and occasional limp mode , and is throwing an EGR code. Unfortunately an EGR clean doesnt seem an option as Ive got underneath and as its the CFHC engine I cant see the EGR unit due to 4x4 prop shaft, transfer box etc. Looks more than a pig of a job. Why on earth would you put an EGR in that position?? The car is 192000 miles and uses no oil. Ive used cleaners in the diesel and sprayed numerous cans of wynns egr cleaner up the air intake . After doing that the last time, the car drove on full power..... for about 5 minutes, then went flat in note and power again........Anyone got any good ideas ?....dont want to scrap the car , as bags of life in it otherwise and I am quite attached to it!

9 hours ago, Grimalkin said:

My late mk2 2013 octavia 2.0 16v 4x4

Might be better if you post in the Mk2 Octavia forum?

17 hours ago, Grimalkin said:

My late mk2 2013 octavia 2.0 16v 4x4 has some of the same problems occasionally such as poor acceleration clattering and occasional limp mode , and is throwing an EGR code. Unfortunately an EGR clean doesnt seem an option as Ive got underneath and as its the CFHC engine I cant see the EGR unit due to 4x4 prop shaft, transfer box etc. Looks more than a pig of a job. Why on earth would you put an EGR in that position?? The car is 192000 miles and uses no oil. Ive used cleaners in the diesel and sprayed numerous cans of wynns egr cleaner up the air intake . After doing that the last time, the car drove on full power..... for about 5 minutes, then went flat in note and power again........Anyone got any good ideas ?....dont want to scrap the car , as bags of life in it otherwise and I am quite attached to it!

My 1.9tdi pd did the same. (It was actually a Seat altea 1.9tdi but same engine as my MK2 octavia) although the egr was a lot more accesible on it. I cleaned it checked and replaced but still same problem. Limp mode and egr insufficient flow code randomly. I replaced the vaccum control unit but still no joy. On the 1.9tdi pd there is an EGR cooler that can get clogged but in my case there is a vaccum valve on there as well that had failed and was sticking/not opening far enough. Replaced it and seems fine since then. It may be that you will have to remove egr valve and clean on bench but check there isn't another valve if you have the egr cooler on yours which is probably different to mine but may look similar to this part I had to replace.

On 17/02/2025 at 18:21, Droidy said:

The egr and dpf issues are a nightmare, mine is reading 600mb at 50% throttle or 9psi I believe which is 3 times more than it should. dpf getting a soak clean turbo getting bench tested for oil seals, looks like ill be keeping the car for another 2 years. not sure of cost yet but it wont be cheap, might get it demapped back to stock

quick update:- Turbo failed when bench tested and was replaced, DPF was removed soaked and cleaned at the same time. ive done 1000 miles since, engine light has been on twice both times for high DPF pressure. currently in to have map checked, see when boost/fuel etc are timing in. total cost so far £1900 on a 5k car 😫

Hello!

I decided to chat, ask opinions or experiences before I take my car back to workshop.

In late Jan 2025 I replaced EGR and DPF. And now, after abt 4 mounts check engine light lit on. Diagnostic shows:

P0401 [0x0401]
Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system - insufficient flow detected
Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Flow Insufficient
Status: Confirmed

After all coolant is disappearing in a rate 1dcL/1000km. Anyone experienced something similar? What was the cause in your case or in case you know?

Thank you for your answers!

Regards

It sounds like you had a cylinder head gasket failure (if there is a reasonable amount of coolant going AWOL). Can you put in some more coolant, and then do a pressure test on the coolant system and/or a coolant gas analysis test on the coolant.

You can also find more information on this fault at https://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/16785/P0401/001025

One other area of checking: Some TDI-CR engines have a filter for the EGR that can become restricted and cause a "Insufficient Flow" code.

Don't know if you have a TDI or TSI engine though.

Is yours fitted with an EGR cooler? They can fail and leak coolant as well as get blocked. I know its on the 1.9tdi engine as both of mine Octy and Seat have them. Its right at the back of the engine beneath the EGR valve on mine. If its leaking coolant I would expect a white smokey exhaust.

Alasdair

Hello!

Thank you for answers.

Cylinder head gasket was replaced abt 2y. According to mechanic's words also leveling with milling machine was done and also hi-pressure test was performed.

@varaderoguy thank you for the link. My car is forcing me to become mechanic :)

Engine type is CKFC - so TDi.

@Alasdair1 as far as I know; this EGR and kind of temperature exchange element (maybe EGR cooling) is incorporated.

I strongly hope that coolant leakage is happening there and not in engine.

Car is responsive like 150HP car can be; no lagging, no loss of power, no white smoke, no other-color smoke.

So, in moment of speaking, car is at mechanics.

I'll wait for his comment.

TNX for answers and debate.

Update.... I know that few are following debates.

Motor was disassembled and checked. Head is cracked. Yeeeeey. My car will get new parts 😡

Anyway... I'll fix it.

Let's think how to seize the opportunity. Car has abt 220.000 km. I thought about mounting new valve rings.

Anything else?

Thank you for answers.

On the egr cooler fail. I was told my leak was that by local mech...who wouldnt touch it, I took to Skoda, was the inlet manifold [mine used egg cup every 100 miles or so] Thats 5k miles since, no leak.