EGR valve - crudded up inlet manifold

[aceparts_com]

Well I think i've found the cause of the lack of power with my 1.9dci Vivaro - the inlet manifold is rather crudded up with crap due to the EGR valve and short journeys.

Any idea of how to remove all of this goop?

[busa_rush]

Take it off and use a degeaser.

[aceparts_com]

I knew you'd say that. My knuckles are red raw!

[aceparts_com]

Is it safe to blank it over - no EGR?

[Mr Whippy]

If you unplug the EGR actuating device (often a vacuum activated pushrod, switched with a solenoid) and run it for a few months it will help clean it all out.

I've unplugged the EGR from my car, and removed the CAT, and it's so much smoother and responsive now. EGR on VAG cars is probably OK, but such things on French cars is just asking for trouble

Dave

[jmcc500]

Would not recommend disconnecting/blocking the EGR - likely to have on-board diagnostics which will detect that the MAF being achieved doesn't match the required MAF (as there is no EGR going in) and will trigger a fault code. Standard feature on Bosch EDC16, not sure if your van will be on that or EFC 15, but probably going to happen on either.

[Mr Whippy]

jmcc500 said:

Would not recommend disconnecting/blocking the EGR - likely to have on-board diagnostics which will detect that the MAF being achieved doesn't match the required MAF (as there is no EGR going in) and will trigger a fault code. Standard feature on Bosch EDC16, not sure if your van will be on that or EFC 15, but probably going to happen on either.

EGR is post MAF and inert gas anyway, so how would it "detect" it not being there?

My car is EDC15 and has had the EGR off since I got it. Dyno'd well over stock torque and power and responds much quicker. No fault codes come up either.

PSA EGR needs binning. No experience of VAG/BMW diesel EGR which are probably better implemented and reliable... Causes more harm on PSA stuff than good, in my opinion and experience anyway!

Dave

[busa_rush]

Dave, did you notice a difference in MPG with the EGR disconnected ?

[Mr Whippy]

Not sure really, disconnected it the day after I bought it, and within a week the CAT union snapped so I fitted a straight through downpipe from an early Tdi 306 to save myself £100

Both those made a difference to response and I assume a slight alteration to the transient efficiency. It might add up to a significant amount, it might not... can't really help I'm afraid.


Main reason I took it off was seeing the inside of the manifold post EGR inlet (looks like a smokers lung in essence) and also you could really notice it working. Took it off and the lag from slight throttle to wide open throttle (overtaking from steady state say) just dissapeared!

Dave

[Howitzer]

When we had old engines in for working on we used to spray a very fine mist into the inlet in bursts and after a while huge clouds of crap would fly out of the exhaust.

I wouldn't reccomend it on a modern engine though, also you need the engine under high revs and load, not sure the wife would appreciate holding on while you were going 100mph down the motorway haha

Dave!

[busa_rush]

Removed and blocked the vacuum pipe today and throttle response is much improved, more torque below the boost threshold too. Much nicer.

Also cleaned out a load of dense, oily crud that was realy restricting the inlet tract, must have been costing power at higher speeds.