EGR Valve

[RevNuts]

Car: Renault Lanuna, 1.9 DTI Alize, 1999, 5 door
Problem: Engine Management Light comes on, then limp mode causing loss of power
Diagnosis: clogged EGR valve

This happened 4 months ago, so I fitted a new EGR valve. Now the same problem is occurring again, which is probably due to the valve clogging up sooner than expected.

1) I've been advised to clean the valve, either by soaking in petrol or spraying with carb cleaner (aerosol). Not wanting to damage the valve, how would you recommend I clean it?

2) Is there a reason why the valve has clogged up so soon and is there anything I can do about it? Perhaps an oil and filter change is needed?

Many thanks.

[Defcon5]

I doubt you will damage the valve, I dont think its a particularly complex part. Removing it may be tricky dependending on the engine layout though.

[RevNuts]

Defcon5 said:

I doubt you will damage the valve, I dont think its a particularly complex part. Removing it may be tricky dependending on the engine layout though.

Removed it before - it's quite easy on this car.

What would you recommend I clean it with?

Edited by RevNuts on Sunday 15th August 21:08

[Kindersley]

unplug it .Most cars work better without it . Do a google search

[DennisTheMenace]

Clean it up to get it working and blank it off.

[Defcon5]

RevNuts said:

Removed it before - it's quite easy on this car.

What would you recommend I clean it with?

Edited by RevNuts on Sunday 15th August 21:08

Like you said, carb cleaner or petrol. If you blank it off there may be a risk of causing an ECu fault and a low power safe mode kicking in

[Kindersley]

http://www.google.co.uk/#hl=en&source=hp&q...

[bazking69]

Where did you get this new EGR valve from?

[Kindersley]

http://www.google.co.uk/#hl=en&source=hp&q...

[Kindersley]

unplug it .Most cars work better without it . Do a google search

[Fastra]

bazking69 said:

Where did you get this new EGR valve from?

Good point!

I has an 'EGR' episode with my Astra. I bought one from Ebay for £32 - it was a pattern part and promptly lasted a few weeks, returned it and got at OE part for £59 and its been fine for the last 16 months now.

[RevNuts]

bazking69 said:

Where did you get this new EGR valve from?

They're in high demand these days. In the end I had to order direct from Renault (the cheapest strangely enough).

For some reason the valve is clogging up faster than it did previously, which makes me think there's another problem causing excess soot to deposit. Any ideas?

Edited by RevNuts on Sunday 15th August 22:45

[RevNuts]

Kindersley said:

unplug it .Most cars work better without it . Do a google search

That did cross my mind, but can't seem to find any online. Anyone know where I can buy some blanking plates for this MK1 Laguna?

[Rammy76]

RevNuts said:

For some reason the valve is clogging up faster than it did previously, which makes me think there's another problem causing excess soot to deposit. Any ideas?

Edited by RevNuts on Sunday 15th August 22:45

What kind of running does it do i.e. does it just do short journeys around town? That certainly doesn't help them.

[RevNuts]

Rammy76 said:

RevNuts said:

For some reason the valve is clogging up faster than it did previously, which makes me think there's another problem causing excess soot to deposit. Any ideas?

Edited by RevNuts on Sunday 15th August 22:45

What kind of running does it do i.e. does it just do short journeys around town? That certainly doesn't help them.

No, I live in the country and it usually does 20 miles minimum per drive. The car's just passed 100k and I haven't changed the oil/filter in over 1,000 miles, so perhaps that is the solution i.e. soak valve in petrol for 24 hours, let it dry, then change oil and filter and cross fingers?