How common are EGR problems really?

Thanks!
But that does not make me any wiser unfortunantley, interesting read though.
Many have had problems but there will always be a overrepresentation with votes from drivers that has had a problem. If everything works you might not really read threads like that at all. At least I wouldn´t :)
Now I´m a very anxious potential buyer and only read threads like that. :eek:
 
Euro 5 vans have far less problems than Euro 6, manufactured up to early 2016. I have a 2016 180ps, no issues at all.
Just make sure the EGR cooler is Rev D from new, if you get a 2016 van that will be the case.
 
Euro 5 vans have far less problems than Euro 6, manufactured up to early 2016. I have a 2016 180ps, no issues at all.
Just make sure the EGR cooler is Rev D from new, if you get a 2016 van that will be the case.

The one I´m currently looking at are a 2019, first on the road 2019.11.15.
This is Euro 6 I would assume...
 
The one I´m currently looking at are a 2019, first on the road 2019.11.15.
This is Euro 6 I would assume...
Yes that is correct.
My last Diesel was a 2009 2.0 TDI Audi A6 with DPF. My route to work is just 5 mile (3 KM). Although it did get a run at the weekends etc I never once in 3 year had a DPF fault light appear/issues.
 
It's definitely an issue and something to be considered. I recently bought a 2017 Caravelle, 204ps. EGR light came on 3 days after buying it, it had only done 30k miles and came with full VW service history, unfortunately 5 months out of warranty. Tried the EGR cleaner to no avail used the Carista to diagnose and came to an arrangement with the seller and thankfully he paid £750 to the close to £1000 replacement bill. (That was with an independent VWAG specialist) it was around £1200 at a VW Van Centre. It's easy enough to check whether it's been done under warranty and if it hasn't, I'd be using that as a bargaining point. The new part is supposedly different internally and more robust. By the way it would appear to be a much harder job on the bi-turbo models than the others.
 
My 2017 DSG Highline has just been diagnosed with an EGR problem following a persistent engine management light. I've had it re-set a couple of times but kept lighting up again. It's only done 24000 and each time the light came on was for longer (+50miles) journeys.
Its not covered by my RAC Warranty i was given by the supplying dealer so replacement cost to me is £867 at a local independent garage.
The questions i have:
  1. will replacing the unit provide a guarantee that this is issue has been fixed. i noted somewhere in this thread that the new unit had been upgraded ?
  2. at such low mileage 24k how likely is it that VW would contribute to replacement costs?
  3. i have not tried a flush or fuel additive but do use Premium Diesel........do any of these really help????
Thanks for any replies.
 
Have you got a full VW history? That’ll help with any contribution.

Edit to say, mine’s 3 years old, 24,000 miles, run on premium diesel, Millers additive, stop/start disabled, oil/filter every 5k.

My filter light has only ever come on once, due to running around for a week on less than 1/4 tank of fuel and it wasn’t able to regen.
 
Last edited:
I've had the unit re-placed (31k), only covered around 100 miles since, but touch wood, problem seems rectified. I've run diagnostics again and no re-appearance.
I tried the contribution line with VW but they were not having it and more or less said that the ongoing EGR replacement was already discounted!
I also tried the fuel additives / cleaner. No difference. I tried the Wynns EGR cleaner, twice, but it just kept coming back not always straight away and I think this is due to it being dependant on engine speeds and temperatures as to when the EGR operates. First run of around 50 miles saw me get 42.2mpg sitting at 68mph on Cruise. (204ps DSG Caravelle)
 
My 2017 DSG Highline has just been diagnosed with an EGR problem following a persistent engine management light. I've had it re-set a couple of times but kept lighting up again. It's only done 24000 and each time the light came on was for longer (+50miles) journeys.
Its not covered by my RAC Warranty i was given by the supplying dealer so replacement cost to me is £867 at a local independent garage.
The questions i have:
  1. will replacing the unit provide a guarantee that this is issue has been fixed. i noted somewhere in this thread that the new unit had been upgraded ?
  2. at such low mileage 24k how likely is it that VW would contribute to replacement costs?
  3. i have not tried a flush or fuel additive but do use Premium Diesel........do any of these really help????
Thanks for any replies.
I can only speak from my experience but I was getting EMLs and adblue faults. Replacing the EGR did solve them for me. I started getting regular issues about 35k.

The part had a revised part number but visually looked alike from the outside. Not sure on any technical differences.

I guess it’s worth trying an additive, but ultimately how effective is an additive after it’s been burnt, and mixed in with exhaust gasses?

I’ve never used supermarket diesel, and have used Millers Additive in the past and still had issues.

I don’t use mine for short journeys or do much round town at all.
 
Have you got a full VW history? That’ll help with any contribution.

Edit to say, mine’s 3 years old, 24,000 miles, run on premium diesel, Millers additive, stop/start disabled, oil/filter every 5k.

My filter light has only ever come on once, due to running around for a week on less than 1/4 tank of fuel and it wasn’t able to regen.
Got full history but not VW...............is filter light same as engine management light?
 
Having a quick scratch around t’internet suggests the egr does not open when cold or under acceleration, which means it will probably affect the people who do more motorway miles.
I believe egr issues brings on the EML, whereas the dpf will bring on the filter lamp.
Try to top up at 1/4 tank which does lower range significantly, but allows the van to regen when needed:thumbsup:
 
Got full history but not VW...............is filter light same as engine management light?

They won’t contribute without a full main dealer history unfortunately. I should have said DPF filter light, EGR faults light up the main check engine lamp I believe.
 
Touch Wood...Drive like I stole it..use good quality fuel ( recently started using Archoil ) never let fuel tank get low...Avoid short trips and never ever worry about fuel economy.. 204 dsg 23k ...but Change oil every 12 months and change the air filter more often to let it breath easier ...this is not scientific but the engine likes to run hot...tend to drive at times that avoid stop/start driving...
The van was x demo so no faults at all..but in a lot of cases members have inherited faults with used purchases which should have been picked up by VW...So is ERG a problem ....VW won’t put money in to Diesel engines now it’s all electric ( or soon will be) so it’s more about driving to what the engine wants and get the best out of it...and enjoy Happy Motoring :)
 
Does anyone know the revised EGR part number ?

Looking at all the replies here i am thinking that turning off the Stop/Start function would help along with regular long journeys.
 
In your situation I’d be inclined to get a main dealer to do the work, they’d guarantee the work for 12 months and any issues would be resolved directly by them.

Getting it fixed at an independent is fine, but if there’s any more issues it’s going to be back and forth between you, the independent and the EGR part suppliers.

Main dealer should be using the latest parts, software and technical bulletins.
 
In your situation I’d be inclined to get a main dealer to do the work, they’d guarantee the work for 12 months and any issues would be resolved directly by them.

Getting it fixed at an independent is fine, but if there’s any more issues it’s going to be back and forth between you, the independent and the EGR part suppliers.

Main dealer should be using the latest parts, software and technical bulletins.
My main dealer VW Van Centre Wrexham have advised that i must not drive the vehicle with EML on. As its close to 50 miles i have no option but to use an independent VW specialist.
 
My main dealer VW Van Centre Wrexham have advised that i must not drive the vehicle with EML on. As its close to 50 miles i have no option but to use an independent VW specialist.

How good is the independent? I’m spoilt for choice with two of the best VAG independents in the country close to me, I’d trust them both to do the EGR if needed.
 
I have a 2017 (67) T28 102bhp.
EML first came on in Feb 2019 @ 5192 miles. AA said it was NOx sensor error. This seemed likely as van was VW demo for 12 months, then spent 3 months a the convertors, so probably had never had a long run before it came to me. No repair necessary.
Second time was September 2020 @ 13329 miles. VW Assist diagnosed EGR so off to my local main dealer for flush and new EGR pipe (new type and fortunately under warranty).
According to Citygate, VW's view is it all depends on how you drive the vehicle (so presumably nothing to do with them?).
Pre covid I was probably doing 6 x 5 mile runs and 2 x 25 mile runs per week, and a 100+ mile run every 2nd or 3rd month.
I am now using Shell Diesel and Millers, so fingers crossed for the future.
 
Back
Top