Cars gone t*ts up and can't afford to get it fixed, Help??

Jamie1981

Borrow the £60 off of someone you know has it and would not miss if for a week or 2 then stick the EGR valve on ebay stating it was initially fitted but was not the offending part so was removed.

Even if you get £100 back, it's still £100 that you need and that you would not get back by letting the part sit at home.

Paperbird

New EGR valves for the 150bhp engine are only £90 on ebay so you won't get £100+ for one.
If the engine is running ok ignore the light, if it's running rough but better with one of the sensors disconnected then you should be ok to run with it disconnected for a while ( the computer will use default values for the sensor ).
Go on the owners forum and ask for advice, it could be the sensor just needs cleaning.
Most garages will just plug in a code reader and replace the part the computer says it needs and as you have found they don't care if they get it wrong because it's you footing the bill not them.

jaydeeuk1

sun-n-moon wrote: »

How about fixing it and then flog it so you can buy an older, reliable motor, then you won't have to worry so much about repair costs, and you can pay some of your debt back.

And how do you know the older motor will be reliable and not need similar costs? The OP isn't a mech, and by the sounds of it doesn't have any mech mates, or able to afford an inspection.

sun-n-moon

And how do you know the older motor will be reliable and not need similar costs? The OP isn't a mech, and by the sounds of it doesn't have any mech mates, or able to afford an inspection.

Nobody know for sure but a bit of investigation beforehand will give a good indication. and some models much better than others. Definately not similar costs [nowhere near] as there is less to go wrong and less technical stuff to replace. You don't have to be a mechanic. A lot of mechanical jobs are common sense and the internet is loaded with advice and explanations for simple fixes on older motors. The OP has a problem with an emission part. Modern cars are loaded with these things and they are constantly causing problems and expensive fixes. Good advice above to try running without it. Can't see how doing this will put his kids at risk. People on here are just trying to give helpful advice. Down to the OP whether to take it.

s_b

so in a nutshell
car cant be afforded to run
mechanic has an ebay code reader costing $15 telling him egr faulty
new component that would feed you for 2 weeks makes no difference
mechanic now says oh it must be the other thing thats dearer and i didnt want to fit that in case im wrong scenario (sound familiar?)
you meanwhile now have no money
mechanics sat on his jacksie drinking moonshine
someone else comes on says its ok to drive your car with light on and it wont go into limp mode and strand you somewhere or break down irretrievably because lets be honest here its only a bulb innit

to summarise
save up some money
find a tech who knows how to diagnose the problem properly rather than using a pointed stick and a $15 code toy
and pay for work to be done


hth

you couldntt make it all up could youmaybe it would make a book?

forgotmyname

OIH... my ebay box cost me £40 from china and its a genuine copy of a decent copy of a box that costs £80 - £100 from UK suppliers

But i agree and have said many many many times. Just because it throws up an EGR code doesnt mean its the EGR valve.

You then have to decide right we have an EGR code, What can cause or trigger that code? Then work from there.

This is where you find out how good your mechanic is. Most of the decent ones have retired. Gone are the days as you pull in the old guy shouts across its running a bit weak that mate. You think eh? must be talking to someone else. He comes across with a screwdriver and tweaks the carb. You drive off in a rocket which now uses less fuel also and doesnt overheat anymore.

hareng

Has anyone seen a recent ish Vauxhall without the EML light on?

Lets just say i junked the EGR and setup 6 years ago, had a cheater made up which plugs in where the EGR would. My old ZE22SE engine was riddled with EML later mostly on and off for about 80k, took no notice cleared it now and again, passed mot's year after year. The heater in the O2 sensor wasnt working which was only for cold starts any way.
The other time it came on was when downpipe kept cracking, check the flexi joint, mine lasted about 7 months each time and a widely common problem. First sign if get a whiff of petrol, the lambda is telling ECU to throw more fuel in.

The problem could be one of literally many other things but you wont know for sure until the ECU is read, part replaced and code cleared.

Apples2

You're on a DMP, you already have a guarantor loan out in some suckers name but you are thinking of taking out a pay day loan?

Quality financial management. I hope you discuss this with your guarantor.

mattyprice4004

So how would you continue to pay the 120 quid a month plus pay for a newer car?

Newer isn't always the answer, I'm pottering around in a £400 Rover 420 diesel as its probably the most reliable thing apart from a push bike you can get for the money. 55mpg, parts are pennies as its a Honda Civic underneath and the greasy bits under the bonnet are from an age where things were made to last.

Keep your modern cars, give me an old diesel with mechanical injection every day.

Loanranger

When I had debt and and old car that needed money throwing at it I took on a part time job in the evenings. That was in addition to the full time job I had Monday to Friday.