Another P0401 EGR fault

[Colin123]

Afternoon … my engine management light came on and my simple code reader showed P0401. I’ve read several other threads about it and am not looking to repeat the advise seen in those. I’ve cleared the code but gather it will come back at some point so it seems flush or replace. I’m guessing it’s not desperately urgent but needs to be sorted at some point.

So 2 questions … a) having cleared the code would the advice be to wait and see if the code reoccurs and then get it fixed … or just accepts that’s certain to happen so just get on with getting it fixed ? And b) any recommendations for someone in the Ferndown, Bournemouth, Poole, Wimborne area ? Looking at a couple of YouTube videos suggest that the fix is way above my mechanical pay grade!

It’s a 2016 T6, 1968cc 140 bhp non euro 6 and has 40k on the clock.

Thanks as always for the helpful advice! Colin

 

[Kind of Blue]

The only place in Poole that I know is Advanced In-car Technologies

Advanced In-Car Technologies - Audi & VW Retrofits

Specializing in Supply & Installation of Audi & Volkswagen Retrofits throughout the UK. Using all Genuine Parts and a Bespoke Nationwide Installation Service.

www.advanced-incar.co.uk

Unit 13 Brixey Business Park, 18 – 26 Fancy Road, Poole, Dorset, BH12 4PZ

tel:01202776699

 

[Colin123]

The only place in Poole that I know is Advanced In-car Technologies

Advanced In-Car Technologies - Audi & VW Retrofits

Specializing in Supply & Installation of Audi & Volkswagen Retrofits throughout the UK. Using all Genuine Parts and a Bespoke Nationwide Installation Service.

www.advanced-incar.co.uk

Unit 13 Brixey Business Park, 18 – 26 Fancy Road, Poole, Dorset, BH12 4PZ

tel:01202776699

Thanks, I'll give them a call

 

[doningtonphil]

To avoid opening another EGR thread maybe I can ask this question here.
I went all winter witho?ut the code appearing. Now, as soon as we are seeing consistently doube figure temperatures I seem to be getting frequest EML lights wiht this code. I seem to remember the same thing last srping, ages wiht no codes and then back wiht avengence.

o it seems the weather/temperature/atmosphere is relevant. Does the ECU control when the EGR operates based on ambient temperature? Is it that the warmer air is less dense so the air mass meter records a lower figure as less air is getting in to the engine and thus into the exhaust.

Or is it entirely a coincidence?

 

[mmi]

Does the ECU control when the EGR operates based on ambient temperature?

Yes, it does!

Post in thread '[T6_measured] Winter specialities'

6 Dec 2023

Reserved.... EGR, EGR cooling, EGR bypass...

---

❆❆ EGR normal cooling and EGR cooler bypassed​

From 0 to 200 seconds reported EGR position > 0% thus EGR cooler bypassed. This cooler bypass happens always after engine start, even in summer conditions. [EDIT: 20.4.2024]

From 200 to 1100 seconds reported EGR position < 0% thus exhaust recirculation through EGR cooler.

From 1100 to 1800 seconds reported EGR position > 0% thus EGR cooler bypassed (also seen from 0 to 200 seconds).

The transition seems to take place somewhere at 0....+5 °C.

EGR position...​

• mmi

• 
• 

Post in thread '[T6_measured] 01-Engine - Built-in test for EGR'

23 Apr 2023

EDIT: post added 18.5.2023.

"Thermal windows"​

VW note B0A6 - Transaction No.: 2067703/4​

According to the new judgements of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) it appears that the so-called “thermal windows” may no longer be permitted in certain areas.​

The thermal window describes the outside temperature-dependent regulation of the exhaust gas recirculation. ​

A solution is in preparation for the affected vehicles (T6). We will contact you as soon as it is available.​

​

Well, regarding the temperature-dependant EGR operation -...

• mmi

• 
• 

 

[SlothBurger]

I'm also noticing similar with my 2019 Kombi. EGR pipe replaced last October. Drove it all winter with no codes appearing. Now bit of warmer weather & P0401 code is back.

 

[Ryanpratt79]

Afternoon … my engine management light came on and my simple code reader showed P0401. I’ve read several other threads about it and am not looking to repeat the advise seen in those. I’ve cleared the code but gather it will come back at some point so it seems flush or replace. I’m guessing it’s not desperately urgent but needs to be sorted at some point.

So 2 questions … a) having cleared the code would the advice be to wait and see if the code reoccurs and then get it fixed … or just accepts that’s certain to happen so just get on with getting it fixed ? And b) any recommendations for someone in the Ferndown, Bournemouth, Poole, Wimborne area ? Looking at a couple of YouTube videos suggest that the fix is way above my mechanical pay grade!

It’s a 2016 T6, 1968cc 140 bhp non euro 6 and has 40k on the clock.

Thanks as always for the helpful advice! Colin

Hey Colin,

I live just had the p0401 code come up on mine…. Which I’ve cleared for the time being, how did you get on with yours ? Did it come back on ?

Kind regards
Ryab

 

[Ryanpratt79]

Hey Colin,

I live just had the p0401 code come up on mine…. Which I’ve cleared for the time being, how did you get on with yours ? Did it come back on ?

Kind regards
Ryan

2017 - t6 - 64000miles

 

[doningtonphil]

I spent ages looking for alternatives to 'taking the plunge', then over winter the c fault seemed to disappear. 'Result' I thought.... until the fault returned in spring.
I ended up wanting to sell the van (Durley to less usage than envisaged) so had to get it done.
So i took the plunge. New EGR valve and cooler from VW (Pieburg, which could be got from motor factors, but not a massive saving (plus no stock at the time). Got the various pipe gaskets too.
Watched while it was being done by a mate (ex vw tech). It didn't look very difficult for someone who knows their way round tools and an engine bay. He had never changed one before.
My wife immediately commented the van drove MUCH better.
As regards the cooler each of the tubes was well and truly blocked. No amount of flushing would have cleared it.
However, my van was 160k miles, with a possible previous change.
I think the engine light coming on all the time negatively swayed my view of the van. Performance wasn't noticeably bad. But once replaced it was much much better.
I am now in @Dellmassive camp of 'don't faff around, just get it done, and view it as a running cost.

However, others may want to comment on your much lower mileage

 

[Ryanpratt79]

Hey Colin,

I live just had the p0401 code come up on mine…. Which I’ve cleared for the time being, how did you get on with yours ? Did it come back on ?

Kind regards
Ryab

I spent ages looking for alternatives to 'taking the plunge', then over winter the c fault seemed to disappear. 'Result' I thought.... until the fault returned in spring.
I ended up wanting to sell the van (Durley to less usage than envisaged) so had to get it done.
So i took the plunge. New EGR valve and cooler from VW (Pieburg, which could be got from motor factors, but not a massive saving (plus no stock at the time). Got the various pipe gaskets too.
Watched while it was being done by a mate (ex vw tech). It didn't look very difficult for someone who knows their way round tools and an engine bay. He had never changed one before.
My wife immediately commented the van drove MUCH better.
As regards the cooler each of the tubes was well and truly blocked. No amount of flushing would have cleared it.
However, my van was 160k miles, with a possible previous change.
I think the engine light coming on all the time negatively swayed my view of the van. Performance wasn't noticeably bad. But once replaced it was much much better.
I am now in @Dellmassive camp of 'don't faff around, just get it done, and view it as a running cost.

However, others may want to comment on your much lower mileage

I’ve only owned the van since march but I’ve just had a look back on some of the paperwork I got with it and the egr valve and pipe was replaced sept last year… surely it can’t be that as from what I’ve read should be good for 50000 miles or 10 years, unless it potentially wasnt done properly which I find hard to believe as the work was done at a pretty high end garage in our area

 

[CAB]

I’ve only owned the van since march but I’ve just had a look back on some of the paperwork I got with it and the egr valve and pipe was replaced sept last year… surely it can’t be that as from what I’ve read should be good for 50000 miles or 10 years, unless it potentially wasnt done properly which I find hard to believe as the work was done at a pretty high end garage in our area

I don't know where you get those numbers from?

Mine has been flushed twice, and the code has now come up a third time. 42k and 6 years.

 

[Colin123]

2017 - t6 - 64000miles

After resetting the code multiple times and several longer drives at higher revs I eventually got the garage to diagnose properkly - they replaced the EGR. It's been OK sin ce ... or at least that fault hasn't returned ...