CRXsi

Excuse my ignorance everyone as I am a noobie to diesel...I am hearing a lot of talk about the possibility of the '04's coming out with an EGR valve, Why is this such a bad thing. There was the same kind of panic on gas motors when the EGR valve was first developed. And yes they weren't the greatest at first but some of the power losses associated with EGR was also due to other emmisions devices implemented at the time such as Catalytic convertors and evaporative emissions devices. Now there are motors running EGR valves and putting out 120hp per liter stock! And I can guarantee personally that if you took the EGR out of the picture you would never notice an increase in power...just the yellow light on the dash coming on. The purpose of an EGR valve on a gas motor is to lower the combustion temperatures under the right conditions by re-introducing exhaust gas into the intake and therby lowering NOx emissions. Under power situations the EGR valve is not open and does nothing. At idle the valve is not open and does nothing. It is only under certain cruising conditions that is is open and doesn't really affect power or mileage. Again this is on a gas motor, so am I missing something about diesel or is this possibly just typical panic and hysteria when it comes to something new?

cp

Gas exhaust doesn't have as much soot in it as diesel.

To read up on its effect on diesels, go to TDI.com and read about the fun they have with it on VW diesels, i.e. clogged intake manifolds.

CRXsi

Ahhhhhh, I did hear something about this at one time...just didn't realize that this was the casue of it. Now I see why everyone is dreading EGR's on the CTD. Maybe with any luck they will design the system better so this doesn't happen? It may just be a matter of where the exhaust gas re-enters the intake? Hopefully they won't have similar issues. Thanks for the heads up. Oh and by the way I couldn't find a site by the name of TDI.com, If you know the site could you re-post it as I wouldn't mind reading up on this issue. Thanks.

Crabjoe

I couldn't find tdi.com but was able to find a few other pages about the TDI. I didn't find any specific reason on these sites on problems that EGR causes but many had done an EGR mod to keep it from working. Doing a search under EGR diesel, the biggest problem I found was reduced milage of 3-5%. that sux! I am going to guess, but once the EGR Cummins start to hit the road, someone will figure out a way to block it off. If we're luck like the Durmax guys and can find someone to do it for us, maybe we can just turn off EGR in the PCM.... Just wishful thinking I guess.

lschultz

http://www.tdiclub.com/ will get you to Freds TDI site

Lightman

EGR is a disaster on TDI's at least, clogged intakes left and right.


Ahh the beauty of EGR's work...

CRXsi

So from what i've read on the net there is good and bad. It sounds like the biggest concern is the extra soot and particulates in the intake which is what is to be assumed for causing the TDI's to plug up...I guess this means I should look at buying an '03 instead of waiting? Any comments? The only problem with waiting is the finacial situation as I haven't quite saved up enough to make financing work...maybe leasing is the better option for now?

Crabjoe

CRXsi,

You should still be able to wait as the '04 currently on and appearing on dealer lots have no EGR. So when it's time to buy, you'll just have to find an '04 without EGR. Soon, it'll be easier to find the '04 then an '03 because of the aggresive rebates on the '03s.

spots

[quote author=Lightman link=board=20;threadid=19313;start=0#msg181653 date=1062956635]
EGR is a disaster on TDI's at least, clogged intakes left and right.


Ahh the beauty of EGR's work...
[/quote]

In North America, right?? The fuel in Europe is okay for the TDI engines. It is the garbage we burn here that clogs the EGR.
FYI not all TDI engines clog up. Mine has over 200k and no EGR mods and it still runs fine. Not saying it isn't clogged, just it still runs good. This winter I am gonna take it apart to see how bad it is clogged, if indeed it is.

Lightman

Yes, in north america. EGR clogging of TDI's wont be a problem once ULSD is here. After that many miles I'm sure your intake on your TDI is looking pretty bad. The way you drive it has a lot to do with it. If you drive a lot of highway miles and high rpm, it's not quite as much of a problem. If you run biodiesel it also doesn't clog. An equally major contributor to clogging on TDI's is the CCV spitting oily mist/fumes in the intake. When these combine with the EGR soot, the carbon gunk forms. Most people don't realize their intake is clogged because it's a slow and gradual thing, and they don't notice the power slipping away... It's really simple to look, take off the hose from the EGR to intercooler and use a flashlight and mirror, or simply take off your EGR valve. Note that the intercooler side of the EGR will be way less clogged than the intake side...