EGR valve questions

Greetings all,

Unsure if this has been discussed recently (or at all)

I thing the issues i have with the engine are in relation to the EGR valve as after diagnosis and error codes dont show anything with the O2 sensors, but it will randomly throw an EGR code (EGR too high) and then the code dissappears as quicky as it comes up so its hard to catch.

This could be the cause for the chugging, random idle pulsing and the very lean condition of the engine.

I could go out and buy a new one possibly fixing the issue, but the idea of unmetered air re-entering the engine doesnt sit right with me.

I have seen online a place that sells a plate that bolts between the EGR valve and the head which blocks out the egr completly, however the egr remains plugged in so the ecu things its doing its job etc etc.

Has anyone essentially "deleted" the EGR valve in their car? and if so what experiances have you had?

Searching online shows only positive reviews such as smooth operation and such, with the occasional (my car threw an error code) claim.

I have blocked the EGR valve in my vectra with a plate and never have any problems. you can easily make that plate yourself, I made it from a thin sheet of steel (beer can). you cannot remove the valve or the sensor for registration and ECU reason, unless you delete the part of software but why would you do such complex task when just a plate does it.

So aluminium works fine?? Might just use a pepsi can or something =P

Did you notice any difference? Obviously I doubt there was any significant power gains, im thinking about smoother operation, not such a lean burn etc.

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makes very small difference to the engine, EGR is only operating when the engine is at high or full throttle when the combustion temperature is high and NO2 is produced. it does not work in low power or idling.
EGR is part of emission control system so the primary reason for existence is to reduce pollution, there are different descriptions on the internet some claiming that it reduces fuel consumption and reduce damage to the engine. sounds like rubbish to me.
Of course the gases that come from the exhaust is now replaced with fresh air so theoretically there is a difference in power but you won't feel that when driving. another useful thing blocking it is that it keeps the engine cleaner, exhaust gases are no longer fed into the engine. You should also install filters to the crank case ventilation to stop that oil vapour getting into the manifiold, valves and spark plugs, that does make a difference.
Aluminium as melts at 500 degrees C, I use steel.

Sweet I thought tinnies were made of aluminium thats all.

And I think the problem with my egr is it gets stuck open so the engine with randomly missfire and chug and carry on. Checked the spark plugs and all but cylinder 3 looked like normal wear slightly on the lean side (normal for factory engines to run slightly lean for fuel consumption. Cylinder three though was very very lean.

I have since changed them and while most of the pinging stopped, the missfire and chugging are still there

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Or you could go the wreckers and pinch the EGR blanking plate of an Astra G Z18XE engine. For some reason they deleted the EGR off the Astra, yet still kept it on the Corsa C.

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Originally Posted by SilentShout

Sweet I thought tinnies were made of aluminium thats all.

And I think the problem with my egr is it gets stuck open so the engine with randomly missfire and chug and carry on. Checked the spark plugs and all but cylinder 3 looked like normal wear slightly on the lean side (normal for factory engines to run slightly lean for fuel consumption. Cylinder three though was very very lean.

I have since changed them and while most of the pinging stopped, the missfire and chugging are still there

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Dirty injectors? use better fuel, at least 95RON. I do not touch any of the ethanol mixes.
Most cans are aluminium but the enrgy drink cans are often steel, you will see the difference.

Ah kk. And no only ever use 98RON. Caltex to be specific. They own the refinery in australia so when the caltex, shell and bp trucks come to fill up its all the same. Only difference is bp and shell pour their own crap into the tank to mix as it drives. Caltex truck just drives off. Vortex premium is pure unadulterated 98 octaine goodness =)

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Originally Posted by SilentShout

Ah kk. And no only ever use 98RON. Caltex to be specific. They own the refinery in australia so when the caltex, shell and bp trucks come to fill up its all the same. Only difference is bp and shell pour their own crap into the tank to mix as it drives. Caltex truck just drives off. Vortex premium is pure unadulterated 98 octaine goodness =)

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Interesting, many motorists only use BP Ultimate if it is available and Shell V power is the second choice. the additives they put in are good and keep the engine clean, some people report 15% reduction in fuel consumption using BP, I have noticed it too but not that much. I have found that Shell quality varies, never know what you get so BP Ultimate for me is first choice.
You are correct about the refineries, most come from the same pipes but it is the "secret spices" they add that makes the difference.

myself and a few others have found that vpower is quite sooty, my old s15 loved the stuff, i didnt as cleaning the black off the back bumper on a white car was a weekly chore :(

i probably would use bp ultimate if there was a station closer but as there is a caltex up the road its my prefference.

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Originally Posted by SilentShout

myself and a few others have found that vpower is quite sooty, my old s15 loved the stuff, i didnt as cleaning the black off the back bumper on a white car was a weekly chore :( .

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Black soot; rather out than in, that shows that the fuel cleaned the engine :)

what sort of engine oil did you use? not too thin I hope.

I think it was a 10w50 or 15w60 cant fully remember, It was a fully synthetic penrite oil for racing as it had a worked motor. I miss having a 1000rpm idle :(

Reviving an old thread, just wondering if anyone else has done this & if any notable differences?

Dumb question, but where is the EGR on the SRi? I looked at some youtube video's for the Z18XE & can't see it on my car? Anyone got a pic from a Barina 1.8 they can share?

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Originally Posted by mattav

Reviving an old thread, just wondering if anyone else has done this & if any notable differences?

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I can't help you much with the Z18...... but I've blanked it (a bit of steel sign cut to shape) on my X25XE without any noticeable differences, good, bad, or otherwise.

From memory x18xe1 had an egr, z18xe didn't but will have a blanking plate on the end of the head above the gearbox


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Yes, all X18XE1s had an EGR valve and so did the Corsa C Z18XEs (Astra Z18s did away with the EGR), my Corsa had one back in the old days, lol. To be honest, the EGR never really gave me any issues, so I just left it as it was.

Thanks guys, I purchased a blanking plate & sealant from eBay, I've yet to get around to putting it on the car, reading up on it all there are varied opinions if it's worth doing it or not.

Might get around to doing it one day :shrug: