Mk6 Golf and EGR valve issues

randomguy82

PcGugs wrote: »

Hi. So I just had my EGR completely replaced for £730 in total. No goodwill as it was second hand through a major retailer, just not VW, so no customer history at my local dealership...

...and now the Air-con is no longer working! It was working perfectly fine up to the day of dropping it off and now will not blow cooled air; the fuse is not blown either as I've checked. Does anyone have any knowledge if replacing the EGR might result in losing gas from the air-con by mistake? Would either of the two systems affect one another in terms of access to the other? And does anyone know of any casual bar work going so I can pay for dealership prices?!

I am not sure if they are linked as I am not that technical with cars. All I know is that the engine needs to be removed as the EGR valve itself is located at the back of the engine.
Maybe someone else more hands-on will be able to confirm if there is a link?
It may be worth asking the garage themselves to see if they are willing to check it for free seeing as it wasn't an issue before hand. It will show how good their Customer Service is.

Mazzer76

PcGugs wrote: »

Hi. So I just had my EGR completely replaced for £730 in total. No goodwill as it was second hand through a major retailer, just not VW, so no customer history at my local dealership...

I was in the same situation regarding warranty and buying location, I still received 100% on parts and 50% on labour after all. It cost me a lot of time and many phone calls but it was worth it - I reduced bill from £950 to £230. It's up to you but I think you should push again. Looks like it's a very common issue, which shouldn't happen so early.

Daz1809

I bought a new Golf mk 6,11000 miles later falls into safe mode, 95% of mileage is motorway miles and mainly use premium fuel. The car was obviously under warranty and had it repaired at the VW dealership closest to work, they couldn't understand why the problem occurred considering it's use and I put it down to a one off.
32000 miles later coil lamp flashing and car went into safe mode. Stopped and started car problem went away but due to the mileage I do crossing the Pennines I lost trust in the car and took it to the VW dealership nearest my home(all services performed here and even buy the VW screen wash here as it's so good especially in winter in the middle of the Pennines) they charged me £65 for a diagnostic the result of which is the EGR valve and cooler same as last time and quoted £ 870 to repair. I explained this was the second time this had occurred which they confirmed with the other dealership.
Due to myself being a "loyal customer" they took the car in for a week to re diagnose and assess, the same day they rang to confirm their diagnosis. After a discussion that their is obviously a fault in the design and my displeasure they offered a goodwill gesture of repair for £312 . I requested to speak with the dealership General manager to see if this can be reduced further. I haven't contacted customer care yet and I'm also considering contacting Which. This is obviously a design flaw and VW should be doing more to address it. As briefed earlier this is the second time in 42000 miles on a late 59 plate.

The car also spent many days in the dealership over a couple of months two winters ago. I cross the Pennines twice a week and was either freezing or cooking. Numerous times thr defect was reported as repaired only for it to still be there, often my wife and I were dis believed and had to drag the staff to the car to prove it was ongoing. I mentioned the cabin sensor for them to dismiss this only for them to confirm weeks later that this had been the problem.

All in all not a happy "loyal VW customer". No trust in the dealership and the flawed Golf design.

randomguy82

Thanks for your feedback Mazzer76 and Daz1809.
It is concerning to hear the issue could reappear as this indicates the replacement unit (which has been modified from the original) still is not of a suitable quality.
If you could raise it to Watchdog and/or Which it would be appreciated. We can only hope that the more that report it, the more push we can get from them to take this to VW and hope a recall is done and the money we have paid; refunded.

Retrogamer

The EGR cooler needing replaced is very unlikely.
On most cars it is separate from the EGR valve and doesn't really ever become faulty and it doesn't wear. A faulty one would only leak exhaust gasses or coolant.
It sounds like they just want to replace that as well for more £££, or claim to have replaced it and only replace the EGR valve.

Removing EGR and cleaning it is probably all that's needed, or as a precaution ask for it to be removed and cleaned at each service.

randomguy82

Retrogamer wrote: »

The EGR cooler needing replaced is very unlikely.
On most cars it is separate from the EGR valve and doesn't really ever become faulty and it doesn't wear. A faulty one would only leak exhaust gasses or coolant.
It sounds like they just want to replace that as well for more £££, or claim to have replaced it and only replace the EGR valve.

Removing EGR and cleaning it is probably all that's needed, or as a precaution ask for it to be removed and cleaned at each service.

VW have advised that the EGR unit is located behind the engine. Therefore the whole engine needs to be removed to get to it resulting in the large 'labour' charge. Also, on the Mk6 Golf, they can not be cleaned (whereas they could on the Mk5) so therefore it has to be replaced.


I guess the next person who has this issue can query if the cooler does need to be replaced based on Retrogamers advice.

red_eye

randomguy82 wrote: »

@motorguy - I have been told (and read in forums) that on the Mk6 then moved the EGR valve to the back of the engine and the way it is now located/setup, it means a) it's a job that will take 7.5 hours and b) they can't be 'cleaned' like older models to avoid having to replace.
VW initially stated £1220 inc vat (£360 part, £860 labour) hence my concern and am now trying to agree a (much) lower price


@retrogamer - It's a 1.6 diesel, 2009 model with 64k miles.




The car forums I have looked at have had some go at much lower miles and in warranty (therefore fully paid by VW), others at the 60k-70k mileage range and 3-6 months out of warranty with mixed outcomes.

7.5hrs? if its anything like starter motor in a passat 3.5hrs=45mins a local indi would be able to do it much cheaper
google imi ata and search for a local decent garage

randomguy82

red_eye wrote: »

7.5hrs? if its anything like starter motor in a passat 3.5hrs=45mins a local indi would be able to do it much cheaper
google imi ata and search for a local decent garage

A local indi may do it in half the time but the issue isn't querying how long it takes; it's the concern the part itself was not entirely fit for purpose and hoping VW see this and carry out the repairs at no expense to customers.

Shropshire_Dad

My VW Polo has only done 30,000 miles and after a few episodes of the glow plug indicator and losing power, I took it to the local VW garage who after diagnostic procedure, informed me that it was the EGR valve - replacement cost £1200. My contribution is to be £400 plus vat for the labour. I have tried without success to have this figure reduced and have now agreed to the repair. After looking online and seeing the many others experiencing this problem, I feel that VW should cover all costs since this is a manufacturing defect and there should have been a recall. I have written to Watchdog and hope that others will do the same.

Intikhaliq

Hi,

I am so over the moon that I have found this forum, and thread in regard to EGR Valve for VW.

I recently returned back from Dubai, and it was the last thing I wanted was Christmas lights on my dashboard.

I have taken your advice RandomGuy, and got in contact with WatchDog today.

My local mechanic has advised me he can clean the EGR valve with Wynn's Diesel EGR Cleaner and then fill the fuel tank with Millers Diesel Power Eco Max, he further on advised me to use shell V-Power and drive the vehicle with high revs on the motorway for 20 minutes, is that a good idea or bad??? :undecided