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Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: CBH on 19 July 2008, 15:46:51

Title: V6 engine problem
Post by: CBH on 19 July 2008, 15:46:51
Hi
Major problem driving home thursday night from work
did 15 miles all was ok
then loss of power, car got slower and slower and the engine stopped.
pulled into the side of the road.
Engine re-started first turn of the key.
pull off again and drove the last 20 miles home.
during this the car losses power and slows down, but the engine did not stop again, I had to pull over 3 more times, turn the engine off and then re-start.
At no time did the EML come on or stay on.
Just done the paperclip test and the only code displayed was 129
EGR valve feedback voltage low.
Could this be the problem or is there something else going on?
Title: Re: V6 engine problem
Post by: tmx on 19 July 2008, 16:56:49
egr valve if disconnected on my 3.0 V6 will cut the engine out! cheap to fix get an egr valve from a scrappy £10 - £20 ish instead of £100 at vauxhall very very easy to change on the v6  about the easiest v6 job todo!

Title: Re: V6 engine problem
Post by: HolyCount on 19 July 2008, 17:06:07
I take it you have checked wiring and connections ?
Title: Re: V6 engine problem
Post by: feeutfo on 19 July 2008, 17:06:19
worth flushing out with carb cleaner first? :-/ you never know :-/. but isnt that elecrical prob if light cones on???
Title: Re: V6 engine problem
Post by: CBH on 19 July 2008, 17:22:21
Just check the plug and wiring looks ok
It's a 5 pin plug and there are two parts to this unit
A solenoid on pins A & E
and a variable resistor on pins B,D &C (wiper on C)
can anyone tell me what the resistance reading should be between the pins.
Title: Re: V6 engine problem
Post by: alank46 on 20 July 2008, 00:18:16
Try blanking off the EGR valve.  Its a recommended mod, did it to my car a year ago and haven't noticed any detrimental effects.
Alan
Title: Re: V6 engine problem
Post by: dippydave on 20 July 2008, 14:09:40
why would the egr be there if performance were improved by removing it?  :-/
Title: Re: V6 engine problem
Post by: VXL V6 on 20 July 2008, 14:11:47
Decreases Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) Emissions.
Title: Re: V6 engine problem
Post by: TheBoy on 20 July 2008, 14:40:32
Quote
why would the egr be there if performance were improved by removing it?  :-/
Virtually all engines are now built for emissions, not performance ;)
Title: Re: V6 engine problem
Post by: tmx on 20 July 2008, 14:42:40
if its bust blanking it off wont make any difference the only time blanking them off is any use is when there castings crack and they start blowing that is when a performance increase is noted because there aint a hole in the exhaust anymore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

you will require a replacement unit unfortunatly as i reckon its a sealed unit if it isnt then someone please enlighten me!
Title: Re: V6 engine problem
Post by: TheBoy on 20 July 2008, 14:46:11
Quote
if its bust blanking it off wont make any difference the only time blanking them off is any use is when there castings crack and they start blowing that is when a performance increase is noted because there aint a hole in the exhaust anymore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

you will require a replacement unit unfortunatly as i reckon its a sealed unit if it isnt then someone please enlighten me!
Blocking off a stuck open one will obviously help with engine running.  Blocking a working one will improve engine response when cruising, at the expense of a marginal decrease in mpg (marginal, as petrols do not make big use of egr like diesels do)
Title: Re: V6 engine problem
Post by: tmx on 20 July 2008, 14:48:14
but if its stuck open wont it light up the eml? and cut the enine out?
Title: Re: V6 engine problem
Post by: TheBoy on 20 July 2008, 14:53:55
Quote
but if its stuck open wont it light up the eml? and cut the enine out?
Depends how far open its suck, and whether the feedback is still connected
Title: Re: V6 engine problem
Post by: CBH on 20 July 2008, 17:11:05
When you say block it off, I assume you put a plate between the EGR and the mounting but leave the valve connected so the ECU thinks it still there.
Title: Re: V6 engine problem
Post by: alank46 on 20 July 2008, 18:29:38
Quote
When you say block it off, I assume you put a plate between the EGR and the mounting but leave the valve connected so the ECU thinks it still there.

That's exactly what you do.
Title: Re: V6 engine problem
Post by: CBH on 21 July 2008, 22:37:52
I have measured the EGR and found it's a problem with the valve position output. between pins C & D (the resistance is too high).
But I always come back to ,would this fault course the problem described at the beginning of my thread???
Title: Re: V6 engine problem
Post by: albitz on 21 July 2008, 23:12:59
an old coke can or similar is perfect for the job. :y
Title: Re: V6 engine problem
Post by: HerefordElite on 21 July 2008, 23:58:11
Quote
an old coke can or similar is perfect for the job. :y


is there a guide for blanking off - i'm sure i've read something before but search for EGR found nothing?
Coke can as blanking piece between where and where? hermatite sealant? :-/
Title: Re: V6 engine problem
Post by: Alex Wood on 22 July 2008, 00:18:33
Dave Kember did an article for the ABS magazine on this, using my car for illustration, but I need my other laptop to get pics so the short version is:

1. Undo the two EGR valve retaining bolts and remove the valve.
2. Take the metal gasket and trace around it on a sheet of suitable metal (a coke can will do).
3. Cut out the traced shape and make two holes for the retaining bolts. Don't make any other holes, this is a blanking plate!
Refit the EGR valve with the blanking plate sandwiched between two new metal gaskets.

Title: Re: V6 engine problem
Post by: TheBoy on 22 July 2008, 00:51:25
if the egr is feeding back an unlikely value to ecu (eg, stuck open/closed), ecu will try to limp mode it.  If you have electric issue with it, it needs replacing.  If its stuck open, paint stripper may help.

blanking off helps if its blowing.
Title: Re: V6 engine problem
Post by: CBH on 22 July 2008, 21:37:57
Thanks The Boy
I will change  the EGR as there is an electrical problem with it,
Your posting was the one I wanted, as it explained the fault mechanism that caused the symptons I was getting.
As an engineer I hate "poke and hope" method of fault finding and just wanted to know why it was wrong.
Title: Re: V6 engine problem
Post by: ians on 22 July 2008, 22:10:37
Indeed - I would try a replacement from a scrappy.

Blanking off is completely misleading for this problem IMHO.