Should I or Shouldn't I ? - BiTdi EGR worry!!

[DXX]

As far as I’m aware the last CFCA’s were built in 2016, I was also cautious but eventually found the reason for the 180 engine wear, the Rev D EGR unit was the fix.
If my 2016 van had Rev D from new it would seem logical that a 2017 van was also built with Rev D.
It also seems highly likely that the van isn’t a 180ps, it’s a 204ps with Euro6 engine, as I said before nothing to do with the failing 180ps cylinders.
The engine code will determine this.

 

[Kaydee963]

Thanks DXX, really helpful. Hopefully I will hear from the seller tomorrow.

 

[T6ARF]

Could the seller/trader of the van not contact VW about any recall? Hopefully this would give you more confidence to actually buy the van?

 

[mmi]

mmi
I don't suppose the VIN or registration plate will provide me with anything useful

Well, you could try what e.g. site

https://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/car-brands.html

shows when you enter the registration... click then "i" for more
Got this with a random UK plate, though a Transporter... matches with the actual vehicle.

 

[Kaydee963]

Thanks T6ARF. You would think so but I think sellers have so much interest in decent spec nice looking vans that they just don't need to. Many seem to have plenty of buyers who either know there stuff when it comes to buying or don't know anything about the potential EGR problem.

 

[Kaydee963]

Cheers mmi. I will take a look.

 

[T6ARF]

Thanks T6ARF. You would think so but I think sellers have so much interest in decent spec nice looking vans that they just don't need to. Many seem to have plenty of buyers who either know there stuff when it comes to buying or don't know anything about the potential EGR problem.

@Kaydee963 I wish you all the best with your (hopefully) new van.

 

[Kaydee963]

Hi DXX & mmi. Thanks very much.
The online car parts website suggests

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER VI VAN (SGA, SGH) 2.0 TDI (FROM 06.2015 - .........., 204 HP)​

The dealer selling the van emailed me back this morning with a code CXEB040616, that was it. He hasn't answered other questions about the EGR or sent a photo of the EGR plate BUT maybe you might be able to tell me if the code is likely to mean that this van rolled out of the factory with the latest version "D" EGR?
If that is the case, do you think I can assume it's a 204ps with the latest version of EGR so therefore should be safe to buy in terms of limited EGR problems.

 

[DXX]

You don’t have to worry about the EGR cooler revision.
There are other issues with the emission control systems, adblue, EGR and DPF. It’s well covered in this Forum and obviously not all vans have a serious problem.
Oxidation and cylinder bore wear is not one of these problems as with the old 180ps, pre-RevD.

 

[Kaydee963]

Thanks DXX.
Good news regarding the EGR cooler. As I am new to the transporter world, I wasn't ware of other issues with the emission control systems, adblue, EGR and Diesel Particle Filter. Would you mind summarising these issues and the risks or pointing me towards the appropriate forum chat? Thank you.....When I started looking at getting a van I had no idea about all of this.....thank god I'm getting educated and came across this forum.

 

[mmi]

As @DXX mentioned, the EGR cooler revision issue is not applicable to this one.
For the other issues - I'm confident that VW has ironed out the mentioned wrinkles by an engine software update early 2020. I have the same engine so I have had my eye on that both before and after the update. So far so good.

 

[Pete C]

Thanks DXX.
Good news regarding the EGR cooler. As I am new to the transporter world, I wasn't ware of other issues with the emission control systems, adblue, EGR and Diesel Particle Filter. Would you mind summarising these issues and the risks or pointing me towards the appropriate forum chat? Thank you.....When I started looking at getting a van I had no idea about all of this.....thank god I'm getting educated and came across this forum.

To be fair, you will find issues with all these components on many other vehicle forums.It’s a common theme on modern diesels.

Pete

 

[Kaydee963]

Thanks mmi & DXX, I really appreciate all of your help. In the knowledge of the above I will look to go ahead and buy the van. One other quick question. The van comes with power sliding side doors, Bilstein Coli Over Suspension, H&R Anti roll bar and 20" alloys (Continentals all around). I wasn't particularly looking for any of these when searching for a van. Are any of these likely to cause a problem or come with a warning? From what I have read these features don't seem to be something that are likely to cause future problems. The only other things I have asked the seller which aren't listed is whether the van comes with xenon lights, a heated front screen and android carplay and parking sensors. Anything else worth asking about? Since it's a Highline I guess some of these might come as standard?

 

[Kaydee963]

OK understood, thanks Pete

 

[Bigsidavies]

Thanks mmi & DXX, I really appreciate all of your help. In the knowledge of the above I will look to go ahead and buy the van. One other quick question. The van comes with power sliding side doors, Bilstein Coli Over Suspension, H&R Anti roll bar and 20" alloys (Continentals all around). I wasn't particularly looking for any of these when searching for a van. Are any of these likely to cause a problem or come with a warning? From what I have read these features don't seem to be something that are likely to cause future problems. The only other things I have asked the seller which aren't listed is whether the van comes with xenon lights, a heated front screen and android carplay and parking sensors. Anything else worth asking about? Since it's a Highline I guess some of these might come as standard?

Highline will have rear parking sensors as standard. You can have airplay added by software. Look at photos of the van. Front parking sensors will be visible in the pics and if it has original factory leds you’ll be able to tell as they are distinctive.
I’ve got a 204bitdi 2017 on a 17 plate with 103k on it.
It’s just had the egr flushed and it’s all good again. Drives great. Maybe the turbos will go, maybe the DPF will go, maybe the egr flush won’t last and I’ll need a new one.
Who knows, and genuinely I don’t let it worry me.
I’d me more concerned as to whether the timing belt had been replaced tbh.

If you’re going to read about every known problem with any vehicle and worry about it then you’ll never sleep.

If it’s got a dealership history and you’re happy with the van and dealer then why not buy it and in with the deal get a good all components warranty.
I

 

[Kaydee963]

Thanks Bigsidavies.
I completely take on board your comments and appreciate that buying a 2017 VW Transporter 2.0 BiTdi is probably no different than the possible problems you might get when buying many diesels such as Audi, BMW etc. I have the full MOT history with nothing to worry about and copies of the VW service at 13k, 32k and a VW specialist at 49k and 3 weeks ago at 64k. In the most recent service the cambelt, water pump, aux belt, coolant, DSG oil, filter, oil filter, sump plug, air filter, fuel filter, pollen filter and brake fluid were all done at a cost of £1089 (incl vat) and £139 (incl vat) for a crankshaft oil seal housing.
Out of interest would you happen to know if I could and if it is worth trying to get an extended warranty with VW direct or am I better saving my money and just finding a good local VW specialist to look after future servicing & repairs? The dealer does offer a warranty but they are approx 2.5hrs away. Welcome anyone's thoughts?

 

[DXX]

If you are taking out warranty on a used vehicle read all of the small print very carefully, they generally have so many clauses they aren’t worth the paper they are written on.
21st century what if scare tactics, it’s big business.
IMO put the money in the bank towards the next repair bill and avoid main dealer hourly labour charges.

 

[Kaydee963]

ok ta DXX makes sense. That's what I have always done in the past so I will stick with that.

 

[Bigsidavies]

ok ta DXX makes sense. That's what I have always done in the past so I will stick with that.

I think once it’s out of warranty you can’t go back to VW and extend it. I bought mine from VW van centre so it came with a 12 month warranty.
I think I’ll just pick up the tab for repairs after It runs out in July.
That van sounds like it’s got a good service history and that all the important stuff has been done. In fact, above and beyond what is probably normal maintenance. I always think that’s an indication of how much care someone has put into the van.
I always (probably pointlessly) look whether someone has put premium tyres on. If you’ve put £60 tyres on a £35k van then you’ve probably scrimped everywhere, especially the servicing.

 

[La paix]

Hi,

Having ruled out a 180 due to egr issues I have found a nice spec 2016 that has had a rev D cooler from the factory!

Am I mad, majority of posts tell me this should be all ok, however there are a couple of posts saying it makes no difference and stay well away!

Comes with a 12m VW warranty so a little comfort but still nervous with near on 100k miles!

Any thoughts much appreciated!