V50 General : EGR Valve Clean 1.6D

[iainmd]

I thought I'd report on today's efforts to clean the EGR valve on our 1.6D.

The car had been throwing logged faults in VIDA relating to the sticking of the EGR valve but had at no point gone into limp mode. It did, however, feel lumpy and less responsive to drive than it used to.

I bought some Wynn's Diesel EGR 3 spray and a firm toothbrush and set about cleaning. I decided not to do the "spray through the air intake" method as I had concerns about damagin other components.

Removal of the EGR valve behind the engine is straightforward and requires the removal of 2 x 8mm bolts, one of which you can see and the other you can feel on the bottom right of the unit. Then simply remove the circlip that joins the valve to the metal pipe beside it, undo the electrical connector and remove the valve. Be careful not to drop the bolts or the metal shim plate down below the engine. There are videos on YouTube covering that off.

Cleaning was a truly manky job. Spray copious amounts of Wynn's (carb cleaner would do as well I guess) and scrub it to death. I removed the motor/actuator from the top (3 x torx bolts) and cleaned the chamber out too. Once cleaned and dried out I refitted it in reverse order (doing so is harder as keeping the shim from dropping out is tricky). The circlip is a bitch to get re-clipped and I got a local friendly garage with specialist pliers to re-clip for free once done (took the guy about 20 seconds).

The difference in engine performance is quite noticeable and, so far, there are no EGR errors so fingers crossed I have saved myself from a new EGR.

The videos that helped me were this and this. Hope it helps others.

[iainmd]

Further report. After a week it seems that it may not have been the soot in the EGR valve that was the problem as, despite being cleaned close to spotless perfection, I'm still getting EGR sticking and EGR jammed faults logged.

I've had to buy a new valve. Finger crossed that resolves the issue.

:-(

[Petey80]

Ah man that sucks.... After all that work as well.

Was thinking about doing mine, but I have the newer 1.6D and the EGR looks completely different to the one in the videos.

[emy]

Yesterday I was on my way to remove and check the EGR valve but the circlip made me to postpone the job, if something went wrong with it I would not be able to use the car and I need it. I ll first buy a new circlip (EGR Valve Clamp) on eBay, to have a backup.
I think removing the diesel filter will be more space to work around EGR valve.

[iainmd]

The Circlip is easily undone by using a small screwdriver to flip it up and unclip. I've now bought a set of Laser circlip pliers from Amazon to re-clip after I've replaced it this time. I got the replacement EGR from Eurocarparts (made by Haas) today so will be fitting it tonight. I think I need to use VIDA to re-learn the EGR position once fitted. The new valve was £86 with their discount code applied.

[iainmd]

Job done, and what a difference! Idle is no longer a complete cabin vibration-fest. The HAAS valve was installed then I used VIDA to reset the EGR calibration. Immediately the engine idle was smooth compared to the old Volvo EGR and also the old Volvo EGR after I cleaned it. After only 100 miles the cleaned old valve was thick with soot again so clearly after cleaning the valve was still sticking or jammed. The performance of the engine is much smoother than it has been for months.

The circlip problem was easily dealt with by one of these. £20 well spent.

[emy]

Happy days . I have to go on you route too, cleaning or replacing the EGR valve. Car runs OK but I notices from some time now an increase in vibration. Getting a new one I thought that involves Volvo dealer visit, I see that you did it by VIDA. If you do not mind sharing how did you reset it. I have VIDA but I am not that familiar with it, still in learning stage.
By the way the EGR valve eurocarparts gives me 220 euros - 30% discount = 155 euro, how did you get that price of, let's say, 100 euro?

[iainmd]

The correct EGR valve has mysteriously disappeared from Eurocarparts website. The only one there is for VIN numbers up to 179691. Mine's a 2009 and has a much higher VIN number and needed part number 424590181 which was available yesterday. Searching their website for that part number gives "This item is no longer available". :-(

In VIDA, go to Diagnostics -> Vehicle Communication -> ECM -> Advanced -> EGR -> and you'll find the option there to reset the EGR Valve.

[emy]

Can somebody tell me how can I remove, not the electronic top part, but the one that connects the EGR body. I removed the three bolts and when I twist & trying to pull it out it is holding something, I think the valve is closed, must be opened, how? Thanks

[emy]

Done