Vauxhall 1.3cdti diesel-new EGR valve-spanner warning STILL on???!

DEBTMONKEY1A

Hi,

Was wondering if any knowledgable people could advise? I have a y reg 1.3cdti 4 door car-970000 miles-fully serviced. Also it has had a re-map for economy-which by the way makes it a fab car to drive-loads more torque (!).

I've had intermittent starting issues with it since I bought it-obviously more so when cold. It would always start after 7/8 tries (black smoke when fired up!). Occaisionally the engine seemed to 'stick' (ie put foot down-no increase in revs)-this usually freed itself up in a minute or so & was very occaisional. However-last week on a short run it was VERY 'chuggy', lumpy-barely managed to get it home & also would not go fast at all. Next am.-would not start at all. AA guy came out & diagnosed a faulty/sticky EGR valve-which he disconnected to allow me to get it to the garage.

New EGR valve fitted (was apparently really clogged up!)-luckliy have AA parts/labour insurance & they coughed up-so I only pay £35 (result!).

Car now starts miles better but still never on 1st attempt-usually 2nd/third & drives MUCH better. However...the 'spanner' light comes on -but ONLY when its fully warmed up. Trying to reset the ECU by turning engine off for 2 minutes doesn't make any difference-still comes on. Took it to a diagnostics splace-with spanner lit-NOTHING-no codes at all???! Guy at the garage thinks it might be a faulty fuel filter casing-allowing a bit of air in-he said there was evidence of a very small leak from under the fuel filter housing?

A bit more info-4 new glo-plugs put in this March-full service (the vauxhall big one) in February (all filters changed etc etc), battery fine-alternator fine. I do however do short journeys which I know is bad for a diesel. Also when spanner on car is not put to 'slow' mode-its just as quick.

Tried doing the 'pedal' trick-but did not seem to cause flashing of spanner light ??! (& anyway-no codes stored!).

Anyone got any ideas? Also considering buying some wynns EGR cleaner-as I always seem to do short runs-worth getting garage to spray it through (as its for trade use only I think) at service times?

P.S. The spanner light would come on intermittently when EGR valve was faulty-almost always went out if turned engine off for 2 mins-now on all the time-but only when fully warmed up.

PPS-As only do shortish runs-water in the fuel filter?:beer:

worried_jim

cdti and short runs. Disaster looming.

DEBTMONKEY1A

Thanks Jim-cheered me up no end (!!). I do take it for a weekly 'throat clear' on the m62 once a week !

red_eye

you need new glow plugs that or you are not waiting for the glow plug light to go out when starting hence the 4/5 attempts to start

DEBTMONKEY1A

red eye-they are new-put in a few months ago! It only takes 1-3 turns to fire now-its the spanner message I'm confused over!

Paperbird

Take it to a Vaux dealer or specialist with Tech 2 for the code reading.
If they find no codes it could be due to the remap you had but as it's not putting it into limp home I wouldn't worry too much.

DEBTMONKEY1A

Thanks! It did come on 'very rarely' after re-map was done-but since EGR valve fixed it now comoes on all the time-as soon as car is warm. car starts much better-either 1st/2nd/max 3rd time. Do you guys think it could be the the fuel filter housing issue that I mentioned? Also...sorry...what is 'tech 2'??! The garage I went to plugged it in & pressed lots of buttons...no codes??!

motorguy

We had a similar problem with a Meriva 1.3 CDTi just last week.

Turned out to be the Glow plug solenoid faulty.

Your common or garden code reader will rarely read all vauxhall codes. You'll need a dealer one or a specialist one. We've had to use a Snap-On one at times to get a code, when a standard code reader shows up nothing.

DEBTMONKEY1A

hi! Thanks again! So...need to make sure it's a 'tech 2'-& it'll deffo show the faults? The garage I went to to get a 2nd opinion (my guy wasn't in that day)-plugged something in...no code recorded-even though it was showing? So...guessing this was NOT a tech2-or is it possible for the spanner to be on & NO codes are shown/recorded??

DEBTMONKEY1A

Ok........thanks so far for the advice (!). Went to another garage today (one that did EGR is booked out!)-PO400 Egr System flow malfunction & PO168 -Fuel temp too high???!
Oddly as well-when the mechanic was looking at wiring connections, etc & i went to start the engine-it just 'sounded loud' ...shuddered a lot & the exhaust circulation warning light came on? But -on next firing up it 'freed' itself-went back to normal-no warning lights? Loose wire/electric issues? Any thoughts?

forgotmyname

You need a proper diesel specialist, Not just an everyday garage.

Nearly 1 millions miles of mostly short journeys wont help Has it really got 970,000 miles?

Short runs does not put water into the fuel. Condensation ate the filling station and in your own tank does that.

Does your fuel filter have a water drain valve? These used to needs doing every few weeks. But worth it once a month to see if there is any water in the fuel.
I only fill up at stations that get deliveries almost daily. Less chance of having water in the fuel then.
My local Sainsbury's have a delivery at least once a day.