P0405 Issue

snnl

Afternoon All,

Will try and keep it simple, I have a 2011 Seat Ibiza Ecomotive 1.2 Diesel (DPF).

Whilst driving the car home Friday evening last week the EML lit up after about 5 mins. Car didn't drive any differently and with no other apparent issues I decided to drive the rest of the 20 miles home (i did pull over and do some quick visual checks).

Plugged in my little OBD reader and i got the error code P0405 - Exhaust Gas Recirculation (ERG) Sensor Circuit A Low Voltage. Did some research and many forums said before taking it to a garage try using some EGR cleaner as it was mostly likely stuck with gunk. So, bought some Wynn's Diesel EGR Cleaner (150ml) followed the instructions and PING light went out, car seemed to drive better and left me thinking that was the best £10 ever spent!

Then, de ja vu, driving home last night, after 5 mins EML light came back on! (after three days of normal motoring). Plugged my OBD reader in (half way home) and used it to clear the code. Light went out. Drive home and no light so far! It showed the same code from last scan so was it saved in the logs and just flagged again? or actually a new code?

Now my actual question is, as I fully expecting the EML to come back on, what could this be?

As I've read several things, some saying its just a sensor that needs to be replaced to others saying they had to replace the whole EGR valve!! (last time i looked that was £300 for part alone!). I need as much knowledge before i take it to my local garage, as the only reputable one, I've had any good experience with is a Mr. Clutch! As i don't want them just replacing the whole thing just to do a one trick fix all approach if they think i have no idea what it is.

Does this sound like just a sensor, is that a thing or is it literally the whole EGR valve with things like this.

Cheers for any info!

System

No, its a new code. Most likely to be the EGR valve and you're likely to find one a lot less than £300. In fact a brief cursory check shows lots of them for a third of that price for a complete unit. Looks like it has a cooler as well which all the ones I've found for sale come with so you're likely to be doing the whole unit and it would probably not be cost effective to just replace a sensor giving the whole lot is going to have to come out anyway.

alan_d

It's likely that you don't need to replace the EGR, but removing and thoroughly cleaning it should sort it.

AdrianC

You squirted some EGR cleaner into the air intake. To reach the EGR valve, it had to go through the combustion chamber's heat and pressure, then a very small proportion of it reached the valve along with all the combustion byproducts.

If that made a small and temporary difference, just imagine what a proper clean will do.

fred990

alan_d wrote: »

It's likely that you don't need to replace the EGR, but removing and thoroughly cleaning it should sort it.

This would be my first effort also. More than likely made by Valeo, you can often get them from the distributor much cheaper than the dealers....fleabay shop.

System

If I was going to go pay for it taking it off and cleaning it which may or may not work I'd just pony up the extra £100 for a new one to be fitted.

snnl

Tarambor wrote: »

If I was going to go pay for it taking it off and cleaning it which may or may not work I'd just pony up the extra £100 for a new one to be fitted.

That was my thinking, why pay someone a small wedge to remove and clean when it could still fail in a couple months anyway and then have to lay out a bigger wedge of cash to fix it. Thats why I went with the Wynns spray, is there a stronger more effective one as it seems like it has done something but it was only 150ml can

So, unless this is a DIY job you can do at home with the right tools its probably worth replacing the whole unit - if it comes to it! Anyone attempted a DIY clean?

Ran the car this morning, no EML, just fingers crossed as January is not the month for large repair bills!

Cheers

alan_d

snnl wrote: »

So, unless this is a DIY job you can do at home with the right tools its probably worth replacing the whole unit - if it comes to it! Anyone attempted a DIY clean?

It is, i've done it. Remove it, blast out with carb cleaner, clean up with kitchen roll or similar. Re-fit.

snnl

alan_d wrote: »

It is, i've done it. Remove it, blast out with carb cleaner, clean up with kitchen roll or similar. Re-fit.

Well thats re-assuring, i'm leaning towards doing it myself to save some money. How hard would you say it is and did it take you long?

However, the light came on again last night (as expected) but this time I got another error code - P003C, is this something thats getting worse?

I'm going to drop it in the to garage tomorrow morning. Is this going to be an expensive one?