EGR Valve?

[Chris Merc E320]

Hi

Car is running ok but when I accelerate a cloud of smoke emits from the exhaust and the response is not what it once was.

My MPG is higher than before and read a couple of posts so could this be the EGR valve? if so is it needed (can it be removed) or how do I go about cleaning it?

 

[Tinkerer]

It could be the EGR but may also be something else, you do not say how many miles it has done (did mine at 130k) or if the 'response' is in fact limp mode? there is a post on here somewhere describing the procedure for cleaning an EGR which does have to be removed to do it.

 

[Alex Crow]

Hi,

If you have the 210 E320 cdi (you do not say) they are prone to EGR valves failing, and your symptoms fit.

Obviously it would be best to have some diagnosis done before attempting a repair.
If the valve does turn out to be at fault, one option will be to disable it. If going down this route you will need to fit a simple mod to the wiring to fool the ECU into thinking it is working correctly.

Read here.... Disabling EGR - Mercedes-Benz Owners' Forums

 

[Chris Merc E320]

Apologies, my W210 is a 2000 E320 cdi, Avantagrde model, with Tiptronic switchable box, the car covered just over 135K, and it is not in limp mode. I have owned the car for 9 years and enjoy driving it very much.

Last Friday on a 300 mile trip it returned circa 46 mpg (which may be due to the sub zero cold air).

The car does accelerate, but does not have the "kick down" acceleration but more of a gradual acceleration which may be due to the size of the engine?

When accelerating hard the car emits a cloud of smoke which I have noticed esp on motorway journies.

Is this likely to be my EGR valve? if so - can they be cleaned? (how), can the EGR valve be checked (prior to dismantling)? Can they be replaced? if yes what idea of costs please. Thanks

 

[Alex Crow]

............Is this likely to be my EGR valve? ..............

Yes, it might be, but that would be a guess - I suggest you have some diagnosis done.

How can you be sure it is not in one of the various levels of 'limp home'?

 

[Tinkerer]

See the thread by SPERA on how to clean the EGR, there are several different types of these, I had 3 before MB got the right one it cost £141 but some were quite a bit more. I think that you would have to take it off to know if it is full of crud, as Alex says mine was diagnosed on STAR after I had bought a new MAF!

 

[Alex Crow]

The EGR valve on this car costs circa £450!!!
Cleaning them rarely helps, if it is at fault the bypass in my link is the only cost effective remedy.

 

[Dieselman]

The EGR valve on this car costs circa £450!!!
Cleaning them rarely helps, if it is at fault the bypass in my link is the only cost effective remedy.

Assuming one finds a saving of £449 cost effective.

 

[Chris Merc E320]

Any ideas how I can find the thread by SEPRA on cleaning EGR valves please

 

[trapperjohn]

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/31483-howto-clean-egr-valve-manifold-associated-pipes.html

^That may help. Cannot find SEPRA's thread anywhere.

 

[Tinkerer]

You might if you spelt it correctly ........... sorry

 

[trapperjohn]

Took the spelling from post number six.

Yer it is.

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/113871-egr-clean-before-after-pics.html#post1259147

 

[Chris Merc E320]

I always had trouble getting wy muckin furds muddled, dyslexia rule KO

 

[trapperjohn]

Liz Dexia is my best friend!

 

[Chris Merc E320]

I went to a Toga party once........I got some real funny looks dressed as a goat!

Probably less painful than having to renew the EGR valve, so fingers crossed for the weekends fun.

Seriously thanks to everyone for all the advice and signposting, really excellent much appreciated and I will keep you all posted on if it is successful. Also another thread running about my Comand unit, replaced the laser lens pick up last w/e - no change, lots of black art stuff quoted by specialists about the circuit boards, but a pal of mine has his own printed circuit board business and he reckons the ones in the Comand 2 are top quality and some of the best he has seen and he has been in the business for 20 years.

NB German E bay is a fraction of UK costs for repairs on Comands (inc postage) by the way, but we think it may be the cd motor which is taking a little tracking down to source (any help welcome or if you have one in your garage get in touch, but again will keep everyone posted.