The car/spanner warning light illuminated on the instrument panel at the weekend after about 50 miles of each of two 100 mile journeys. I had also noticed a hesitation when accelerating, though no other obvious drop-off in performance.
I did the 'pedal test' to get the fault codes which appeared as ECN 068304 (fleetingly) then ECN 040061 which I understand translate as:
P0683 - Glow plug circuit low voltage B-038 and/or (?)
P0683 - Glow plug circuit open B-038
P0400 - Exhaust gas recirculation valve malfunction B-051 and/or (?)
P0400 - Exhaust gas recirculation valve stuck B-051
I understand that this warrants attention, but I wonder if anyone on here, who will undoubtedly know more about diesel engines than I, feels that I am in for a major shock - financial or otherwise.
Thanks.
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I would guess these are of note
>> P0400 - Exhaust gas recirculation valve malfunction B-051 and/or (?)
>> P0400 - Exhaust gas recirculation valve stuck B-051
Common enough problem, an EGR valve jammed uo with burned carbon.
Bout 90 quid new I think.
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Thanks for your comment, Zed.
I had to take the car for a 2 x 10 mile run earlier this evening and at no time did the warning light illuminate - it seems strange that it doesn't do so until after about 50 or so miles.
There is one other observation that I forgot to mention, i.e. that the engine is a bit lumpy when it has just been started.
I'll be calling at my favourite local independent tomorrow.
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This will be the Fiat multijet engine.As discussed,egr valves are common enough problem but I would be very careful about replacing any glow plugs.These are the long pencil type that can seize in the cylinder head and can be a real drama to remove.They are not needed for cold start ,but are used for dpf regen if your car has one fitted.
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If it is a glow plug problem then the car/spanner light usually comes on upon start up and remains on until the engine has warmed up.
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Again, thanks for the comments, chaps.
I'll ignore the glow plug issue then, as the car is (just, luckily) a pre-dpf model, and get the EGR valve sorted. It's about a year ago that some declogging of the pipework was carried out so maybe a more thorough cleaning is required, along with replacement of the valve.
Since last year's declogging, I have revved the car significantly harder; I just wonder if the issue can be associated with the fuel that I use - i.e. about 80% Tesco/20% Sainsbury's. Should I be using a more expensive supplier?
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>> Since last year's declogging, I have revved the car significantly harder; I just wonder if
>> the issue can be associated with the fuel that I use - i.e. about 80%
>> Tesco/20% Sainsbury's. Should I be using a more expensive supplier?
>>
I am probably about to get shouted down by the "all fuels the same" brigade, but if it were mine I would be running it on Shell V power or BP Ultimate (or whatever they are called now)
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>> I am probably about to get shouted down by the "all fuels the same" brigade,
>> but if it were mine I would be running it on Shell V power or
>> BP Ultimate (or whatever they are called now)
or stick a bottle of Forte Diesel Treatment in every 6 months. tinyurl.com/lzmbt6h
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Thanks for the comments re fuel and fuel additives - I'll bear that in mind for when the car's sorted. I must admit that, on the rare occasions when I have used 'premium' fuel rather than bog-standard supermarket stuff, I haven't noticed any difference. In fact, I have sensed that the car runs slightly better on Tesco's diesel - but don't ask me to analyse that notion scientifically!
The local garage has developed a very good reputation and getting the car booked in is like getting a doctor appointment - they can't see me until a week tomorrow. With any luck, there'll be a cancelled appointment and I'll be able to run the car down there at short notice.
Drat, though …………. I forgot to ask if it was OK to drive the car in the meantime. For carrying-capacity (father's disability scooter), we would prefer to use it for a 250 mile round trip this weekend, mostly on A14/M1. Any thoughts on the wisdom or stupidity of that?
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250 miles like that won't cause major issues.
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I dropped the car off at the garage yesterday morning - they said that they'd check it out and, if they could fit the job in, try and have it completed in time for the weekend. I received a phone call to say that it needed four new glow plugs and a replacement EGR valve; they hoped to get the bits in for today and get on with the job. The garage is known for its high standard of work and reasonable charges so I was slightly taken aback by the estimated cost of £360. I understand that an EGR valve can cost approaching £100. Ah well, other than that, the car has been very cheap to to run over the past 4 years!
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Price seems OK. As you say a decent EGR is close to £100 and a set of glowplugs might get invoiced around £40. I've heard of main dealers/pricey specialists charging close on £250 just to do the glowplugs.
As mentioned above the plugs can snap off and need extracting... I wonder if your price is inclusive of this if it happens or would that be an extra?
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>> Price seems OK. As you say a decent EGR is close to £100 and a
>> set of glowplugs might get invoiced around £40.
More like 65 to 70 quid for a set
so we have 170 quid in parts, min two hours labour at 65 quid an hour so we are approaching a fair enough figure.
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" …………….. so we are approaching a fair enough figure."
Thanks for the reassuring tones, chaps - as I say the garage is known for its competence and fairness. No call yet to say that the job has been completed, but I'll report back when there is a conclusion.
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Would you believe a genuine Vauxhall EGR for a Corsa B petrol is well over £200 + fitting and about £120 from ebay? That's why most run around with the EML lit as it has no affect on the running of the engine.
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"That's why most run around with the EML lit as it has no affect on the running of the engine."
I was under the impression that an illuminated EML could indicate a number of possibilities - some may affect the running of the engine, others not. I can say with certainty that the engine on the Astra was hesitating, becoming a little less lively when starting, and becoming more sluggish when accelerating away from roundabouts etc. I read somewhere that, if it were left too long, then damage could occur.
On Friday afternoon, the garage rang to say that the Astra was ready for collection - excellent, they had completed it in time for the weekend trip! The total bill, with vat came to £363.50.
EGR valve, 113.00; 2 x Gaskets, 8.00; Glow Plugs x 4, 43.92; Labour 138.00; all plus vat.
All of those above mentioned faults with performance had been corrected and the engine ran more smoothly, I would say, than at any time in the 4 years whilst I have owned it.
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Vauxhall Astra H estate - 07 1.3 1.3 cdti Engine fault codes... - Zero
