Potential EGR valve fault

Jdm2803 · Post by **Jdm2803** » Thu Mar 17, 2022 11:17 am

Hi. My engine light came on about 6 weeks ago and I used a computer to get the fault code - P0401 which relates to the exhaust EGR valve. The internet suggests the EGR valve needed replacing or the sensor was faulty or there was a leaky pipe. I booked it into the garage for a diagnostic but the light went off the day before I took it in. The garage connected it to their computer and relaid the same fault code info to me and ran some other diagnostic stuff on the computer and found no problems. They returned the car to me and said if it happened again I would probably need the EGR valve replaced. The light has come on again, this time I cleared it and the light stayed of for 2 weeks and now the light is back on. The car feels no different to drive than normal and has none of the symptoms of a EGR valve problem as I have seen listed. So I have a few questions. Is it more likely that the sensor is faulty as the car feels no different. If the EGR valve was at fault shouldn’t the engine light come back on as soon as I try to clear it? The garage have quoted me £466 to replace the valve but I don’t want them to do this when I feel unsure this is the problem. Any advice much appreciated. Thanks

camallison · Post by **camallison** » Thu Mar 17, 2022 11:40 am

I write with my own experience similar to this with vauxhall engines. In each case, I removed the valve and found that the 'passageway' in which it sits was full of gunge. The valve and sensor were also covered in gunge. After cleaning it all out/off, replacing everything, the fault disappeared permanently.

Colin

arco_iris · Post by **arco_iris** » Thu Mar 17, 2022 12:03 pm

If you put "EGR valve" or "exhaust gas recirculation valve" into google, there's loads of information, pictures & videos on what to do to clean it.

For many cars (you don't say what yours is) you can get blanking plates/kits to block the valve off rendering it inoperable. Search fleabay for example for your car.

Jdm2803 · Post by **Jdm2803** » Thu Mar 17, 2022 5:43 pm

Thanks for your replies. I have googled the fault and also looked under the bonnet but it’s beyond my skills to remove the valve. I did ask the garage if it could just be cleaned and they said it takes ages to clean it and often the fault comes back again soon after - I was unsure if they were just fobbing me off. It’s a golf plus and pretty old 2007!

Argyll · Post by **Argyll** » Sat Mar 19, 2022 11:24 am

The EGR valve was dodgy on my 2011 Peugeot Partner van. I ignored it and it eventually went leaving me stranded in Glasgow. I had to get towed home.

I think you can get EGR valve cleaning fluid but if I were you I'd just get it changed. It saves you being stranded like a t*at like I was.

Jdm2803 · Post by **Jdm2803** » Mon Mar 21, 2022 10:41 am

Argyll wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 11:24 am The EGR valve was dodgy on my 2011 Peugeot Partner van. I ignored it and it eventually went leaving me stranded in Glasgow. I had to get towed home.

I think you can get EGR valve cleaning fluid but if I were you I'd just get it changed. It saves you being stranded like a t*at like I was.

Thanks. Did you have any symptoms from the fault? I would get it changed but because I am having no symptoms from the car I'm wondering if it's not the actual valve which is at fault but the sensor. When I clear the fault code it takes a few weeks for the light to come on again.

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Mon Mar 21, 2022 12:19 pm

I am not sure if this applies to your car but some have regeneration systems and you can get car mapping guy to trigger it by computer?

DWD

Argyll · Post by **Argyll** » Mon Mar 21, 2022 7:09 pm

Jdm2803 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 21, 2022 10:41 am Thanks. Did you have any symptoms from the fault?

It was about 4yrs ago mate but yes I was having symptoms although I can't remember what they were. But the garage told me and me being me left until I finally broke down

Jdm2803 · Post by **Jdm2803** » Mon Apr 11, 2022 4:54 pm

So last weekend I took the EGR valve off and cleaned it. It didn't seem too dirty but it also didn't look like the ones in all the EGR videos (it was definitely the right part as it the one that comes up to buy a new one). When I shook it then you could hear something move (which google suggest means its still working). The light went off after cleaning although the code still showed until I went for a test run and then it was gone. Car has driven fine for a week and the light is back on now. Before this then the light was coming on every day if the weather was warm. Today was the first warm day post cleaning and the light came back.

Now I know how to remove the valve then i think I could replace it but the valves are about £150 - £250 (or much cheaper on ebay but not sure I trust them). Does anyone know if it's normal for the weather to affect the EGR valve or does this point to something else being the problem. Thanks.