Mk6 Golf and EGR valve issues

cbcov1984

Hi all,

The wife's 59 plate Mk6 VW Golf 1.6TDI has recently developed the following issues;

- fluctuating revs whilst at idle
- lack of reviving / power when trying to accelerate
- engine cutting out almost immediately after starting
- engine going into limp mode with flashing coil light

The car itself works intermittently although since it developed these problems last week we have chosen not to use it. I booked it into my local VW dealer who had a waiting time of over a week before they could look at it. They ran their diagnostics yesterday and reported back with a faulty EGR valve / cooler that will need replacing. The cost they quoted for this was £1,248.80 (inc VAT).

I said this was extortionate and that they surely must be able to come down on price. After facing a lot of resistance they came down to £950 (inc VAT) after applying a discount to labour and parts. I told them this offer was still unacceptable and I am glad I did having read through this forum.

I am going to try the customer care line tomorrow to see if they can assist. I have had the car from new and it has been serviced at the service intervals by a VW dealer, in fact it was only serviced 2 weeks ago at a cost of nearly £300. I feel like I am being held to ransom!

I shall let you know how I get on in the hope to help others who may have this problem in the future.

Retrogamer

Just have it removed.

http://www.darksidedevelopments.co.uk/products/darkside-1-6-2-0-common-rail-egr-blanking-kit-and-egr-cooler-delete.html

Phil50

I own a 2009 Mk6 Golf TDI (110PS) which developed the EGR fault in 2012 at 54,000 miles. VW contributed 100% parts and 50% labour costs with no difficulty on my part. This month (Feb 2016) the same fault has been diagnosed at 91,000 miles, and both the main dealer and VW Customer Care have refused to negotiate on the £1,600 repair bill. VW Customer Care have apologised that the same problem has recurred but confirm that the dealership have followed the correct 'protocol'. It is clear from this thread that this is not an isolated case of a problem vehicle, and I have 20 years experience driving diesel cars so I do not think that driving style is the issue in this case. As a MoneySaving "tip" I would advise against buying a used VW TDi as there is a fundamental design/maintenance issue.

Hirstys_12th_Pint

I have now encountered the same issue with my 11 Plate Golf 1.6 Blue Motion.

Initially Monday morning I had a warning that coolant was low, and then the warning disappeared. The coolant was low and I topped up that afternoon.

On the journey home (about 25 miles - mostly motorway) the glow plugs started flashing and it went into the limp mode. I managed to get home no problems and then when I restarted all was well again. It was fine in the 60 + miles I did on Tuesday and then the same glow plugs appeared again yesterday.

I got into garage next to where I work for the diagnostics and it came up with 7343 EGR and Cooler Fault. I got quoted a ball park of £900 as was told it was 9 hours labour !! I politely declined for now. Tried another place local to work and they suggested more in the £600 range.

Now I have the dilemma do I bite the bullet as finances are a bit tight at the mo or drive around with the problem for a bit while I have some funds sorted - any advice much appreciated.

Also had a suggestion I get blanked off and remapped - has anyone had this done with any success and is it any cheaper ? Also someone said the valve could be closed but would have EM light on permanently - not sure how this is done though ???

I was beating myself up a bit as service needed carrying out 3 months ago so wondered if that contributed but as people have said it is a non service part with a know issue.

Retrogamer

EGR valve and EGR cooler removed and the car mapped to ignore the sensors is the best option for just now if you want to keep the car for the long term.

Cscott_2

Hi I've got a golf 1.6 diesel, have just been told my egr needs replacing too, have been quoted £1179 to have this work done, the cars on a 60 plate so 5 years old and only 30,000 miles on the clock, volkswagen have refused any goodwill, any of you guys who have had this problem and had goodwill given to you, any advice or tips on how to get it out of them? Thanks

mark5

Hirstys_12th_Pint wrote: »

I have now encountered the same issue with my 11 Plate Golf 1.6 Blue Motion.

Initially Monday morning I had a warning that coolant was low, and then the warning disappeared. The coolant was low and I topped up that afternoon.

On the journey home (about 25 miles - mostly motorway) the glow plugs started flashing and it went into the limp mode. I managed to get home no problems and then when I restarted all was well again. It was fine in the 60 + miles I did on Tuesday and then the same glow plugs appeared again yesterday.

I got into garage next to where I work for the diagnostics and it came up with 7343 EGR and Cooler Fault. I got quoted a ball park of £900 as was told it was 9 hours labour !! I politely declined for now. Tried another place local to work and they suggested more in the £600 range.

Now I have the dilemma do I bite the bullet as finances are a bit tight at the mo or drive around with the problem for a bit while I have some funds sorted - any advice much appreciated.

Also had a suggestion I get blanked off and remapped - has anyone had this done with any success and is it any cheaper ? Also someone said the valve could be closed but would have EM light on permanently - not sure how this is done though ???

I was beating myself up a bit as service needed carrying out 3 months ago so wondered if that contributed but as people have said it is a non service part with a know issue.

It would have taken longer than 3 months to get clogged up however the cleaner the engine runs the lower the chance of this sort of thing happening.

It's a bit like the head gasket is a non service part but running the car with poor coolant or low levels of coolant will probably increase the chances of it failing a lot sooner.

Retrogamer

mark5 wrote: »

It would have taken longer than 3 months to get clogged up however the cleaner the engine runs the lower the chance of this sort of thing happening.

It's a bit like the head gasket is a non service part but running the car with poor coolant or low levels of coolant will probably increase the chances of it failing a lot sooner.

It seems the reason the EGR fails on these is the solenoid / actuator thingy stops working rather than being clogged up with soot which was the main reason for the older ones failing.

Hirstys_12th_Pint

Thanks Retrogamer, certainly need to give this some thought.

Any ideas on costs of having this done and would the Engine Managent light not then kick in. How about the subsequent MOT also.

As my problem seems to be intermittent any idea on the risks of driving round with car like it for a bit ?

bigjl

All EGR valves will clog, some are worse affected than others.

It does seem that many Golfs suffer with EGR problems.

I used to clean the EGR on my Mondeo every 6months or so. The first time I cleaned it I also did the inlet manifold.

Once you figure how to do it the jobs not terrible.

Never had to do it on my V50 or on the Clio, and the 1.5dci apparently has a reputation for giving problems. Did the fact I filled up with Shell V Power fairly regularly, regularly added Redex and changed the oil on a Severe Service regimen with top quality oil make a difference? Who knows.