Hi all

I a few days ago myself and a friend took apart and cleaned the EGR valve in my 1.9 multijet 150 sport. Quick history:

In November for about 2 weeks I had complete loss of power when car had just started below 2300 rpm, car would the burst into life fine one turbo kicked in and wouldn't happen until next start once engine went cold over night or at work etc.

Problem magically dissapeared and never happened again.

Mid December check engine light came on so cleaned EGR valve, was terrible. Refitted and car went incredibly well for 2 days but engine light remained on.

After two days (now) engine light is on but I have noticed a distinct loss of power in the lower reves until 2000 rpm until the turbo kicks in I believe. I've had to adjust the way I drive keeping the revs higer for when I need to accelerate. I'm used to keeping it lower as always had power in lower ranges.

I want to plug the car in and read the ECU codes myself, so just wondered if anyone had a guide or recommendations.
I'm going to get Fiat ECU scan software
http://www.multiecuscan.net/

and this cable
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FIAT-ALFA...iagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item25723d0897

Is it a straightforward plug into the ECU? I've never done this before so wondered if anyone had any advice. I'd rather try this first and self diagnose as we have a few Fiats in the family now which I sure were going to keep for a while so will come in handy.

Cheers

Right so here is a little update.

Took car to local garage today, ECU read code P0401 EGR valve
Garage tested the actuator and turned out that's the faulty part, you know that electronic bit that pushing the pin/valve in and out.

Just a question when everyone else cleaned their EGRs when you took apart the actuator from the main valve was the pin in or out.

When I cleaned it my pin was stuck in so flush against the body near the venting outlet. Should this have been out ie sticking out.

I guesssing that when the car starts and shuts off the pin should be out keeping the gasses from recirculating?? So when I cleaned it if I'd have been clever enough I should have worked out it was faulty. Oh well easy enough to do.

Cheers

See attached picture of my clean/practically unused EGR valve. Hope it helps.

Freebo said:

See attached picture of my clean/practically unused EGR valve. Hope it helps.

Click to expand...

Oh pants, yeah my pin was stuck in, so when I thought I was cleaning it to fix it, it was already broken.

So now when I drive the valve is constantly open recirculating exhasut gasses now I guess. Car still under warranty (just found out, had the 5 yr deal) so hopefully getting it seen to next week.
New valve has to come from Italy so I'm told.

Least we solved that thanks very much for the help

I have just cleaned my egr valve and the pin was inside. you could pull it out with your fingers, but then it went back in again. Does that mean it is broken?

danthewam said:

I have just cleaned my egr valve and the pin was inside. you could pull it out with your fingers, but then it went back in again. Does that mean it is broken?

Click to expand...

I'm not to sure to be honest, I'm just presuming mine was broke before cleaning since that was the problem. Somebody might be able to advise better but I'm sure you can't really break it by cleaning it. Mine threw a engine light before I took it off and code read EGR.

How is your car feeling anyway, do you have lack of power still after cleaning it?

It does feel very slightly better but i still have the problem of no acceleration until the turbo kicks in. Thinking about taking it to a garage to plug into computer but dont want to get charged the earth! Lol. do they usually charge much for this?

danthewam said:

It does feel very slightly better but i still have the problem of no acceleration until the turbo kicks in. Thinking about taking it to a garage to plug into computer but dont want to get charged the earth! Lol. do they usually charge much for this?

Click to expand...

I'm not a mechanic but it does sound similar to my problem and may be a faulty EGR. When you cleaned it was the valve inside moving freely?

Diagnostics at a garage is about £40, but if you don't have a engine light on then there will be no code to read so they'll want more to 'investigate further'

Ahh ok. My engine ligjt is on so they should be able to get a code from that. Yeah the valve was moving freely. I did try and check the maf sensor but the sensor was concealed within the casing and i was unable to take a look at this!

danthewam said:

Ahh ok. My engine ligjt is on so they should be able to get a code from that. Yeah the valve was moving freely. I did try and check the maf sensor but the sensor was concealed within the casing and i was unable to take a look at this!

Click to expand...

Sounds like your EGR has had it. The pin on the picture I posted to the left should always be sticking out when you take the EGR apart like I have done. You could either try and repair the one you got or replace it. clicky

Assuming this is definitely your problem repair or replace will hopefully solve all your issues.

PS check this thread out over on Alfa owner. There is a PDF you can download explaining exactly how to clean the EGR. Iirc it even shows you how to strip it down. clicky

Nice one, thanks for the links! and info