D4 VEA 'check engine' light / EGR fault thread

[Chrisv60]

I found the check engine light came on around town and the tortoise limp mode appeared after 10 mins or so on the motorway. The check engine light goes off for a while after about 3 engine starts, but the dealer advised it would be back and it was.

We have a few of these as company cars at work and slowly but surely each one is going down with the same thing at about 12 months old, irrespective of how each is driven.

Rather than these on the forum being a few out of thousands of cars without a problem, I'm starting to suspect these are just the tip of the iceberg.

[craigv60]

Originally Posted by Chrisv60

We have a few of these as company cars at work and slowly but surely each one is going down with the same thing at about 12 months old, irrespective of how each is driven.

Rather than these on the forum being a few out of thousands of cars without a problem, I'm starting to suspect these are just the tip of the iceberg.

From what the dealer has told me in conversation, the problem does seem to be affecting a significant proportion of D4 VEA engines, but whether that proportion is 20%, 40%, 60% or even 90% of them can't easily be judged.

It would be interesting to see if the same proportion is experiencing problems in other countries, such as Germany or Sweden.

I can't work out if it's significant that Volvo Sweden has sent engineers to the UK to investigate the problem. Obviously, the diesels are very popular here, but I would have thought they're pretty popular in Germany, France etc too.

I have posted about the D4 EGR problems on the US Swedespeed forum, and oddly a couple of Australian owners responded that the problems were occurring in 40 and 60-series D4s over there.

[Kev78]

Originally Posted by Chrisv60

I found the check engine light came on around town and the tortoise limp mode appeared after 10 mins or so on the motorway. The check engine light goes off for a while after about 3 engine starts, but the dealer advised it would be back and it was.

We have a few of these as company cars at work and slowly but surely each one is going down with the same thing at about 12 months old, irrespective of how each is driven.

Rather than these on the forum being a few out of thousands of cars without a problem, I'm starting to suspect these are just the tip of the iceberg.

It's not looking good.

The fact they are sending technical teams from Sweden suggests that they don't fully understand the problem.

[inego]

I took my D5 in this morning because of a check engine light. Last time I had it it was an oil overfill, easily fixed.

EGR valve. Currently being stripped down to see whether it can be reset or needs replacing.....

[NigelDay]

Originally Posted by Kev78

It's not looking good.

The fact they are sending technical teams from Sweden suggests that they don't fully understand the problem.

They will almost certainly be doing a rigorous 'problem analysis'. They will look at which cars are affected and which are not. Then they will look at all the similarities and differences between the cars to both exclude non-contributory factors, and to help identify the 'true cause'. Sounds easy, and if it was they would already have the answer, so perhaps it is giving them some real angst. The D4 VEA is the cornerstone of future Diesel engines for Volvo. They can't afford not to fix it completely.

[wimorrison]

Originally Posted by inego

I took my D5 in this morning because of a check engine light. Last time I had it it was an oil overfill, easily fixed.

EGR valve. Currently being stripped down to see whether it can be reset or needs replacing.....

I think this is the first case mentioned here of a d5 having an EGR valve problem, let's hope it isn't the start of something like the present debacle.

[NigelDay]

Originally Posted by wimorrison

I think this is the first case mentioned here of a d5 having an EGR valve problem, let's hope it isn't the start of something like the present debacle.

Looking at external factors, has anyone ever suggested diesel (additives) might be a factor ? I'm sure diesel fuel has changed slightly over the years, also seasonally and by geographical market.

[ChatsV60]

I keep reading this thread and waiting for mine to have the same problems. Any chance of a Poll to find out the percentage of members who have EGR faults with VEA diesels

John

[Kev78]

How many of the engine components are made in China?

I have a feeling Volvo's reputation may take a hammering over the next few years.

[Turnwood]

Originally Posted by chatss60

I keep reading this thread and waiting for mine to have the same problems. Any chance of a Poll to find out the percentage of members who have EGR faults with VEA diesels

John

I am the same as you - 23k on the clock now and no sign of a warning light yet. Has anyone else done my mileage and not had any issue? My car was built during Week 3 2015 so might have a slightly updated design/engine map compared to the MY14/14.5 motors.

I think a poll would be a good idea. It wouldn't be entirely representative as people might have joined the site to discuss just this particular problem, but it would be interesting nevertheless.