Fabia 1.4 16v EGR flow low (insufficient)

[Tech1e]

Quite a common cause of EML coming on this one, quite often miss diagnosed as an EGR valve which is changed with no effect.

I carried out a repair the other day so decided to take a photo of the issue, sorry it's only one photo but didn't really have time to do a step by step guide.

The issue as you may gather is insufficient exhaust gas in being recycled into the inlet. The EGR valve is located at the front of the engine on the right hand side of the exhaust manifold. Off the front of the valve comes a metal pipe that loops backwards, if you follow it under the coil pack it goes into the inlet manifold. If you remove the engine cover/air filter and then remove the throttle body (4x5mm allen key bolts) you can see the port where this metal pipe exits, it looks like this...

The metal pipe is capped with a plastic plug with two holes in it. More than likely these holes will be blocked with carbon. Poke these clear with a suitable implement such as a small screwdriver. Once that's done refit the throttle valve and reset using diag equipment (basic settings, channel 060). Refit the air filter then start the car up. With engine running reset the EGR valve (basic settings, channel 074).

Should be all better

[Taylor93]

If this fix doesnt work, try checking the front oxygen sensor, I found that my Oxygen sensor wasnt responding properly (found using VAG-com), disconnected the plug, put some contact cleaner on it then plugged it back in.

Presto!

Seems like the faulty connection wasnt sending the correct signal from the Oxygen Sensor to the ECU, this resulted in the EGR Valve not being opperated and sitting at 0.8 Volts thus causing P0401 EGR flow too low.

So far its been working great. Saved me alot of money too (about £140)

If it turns out you need a new front Oxygen sensor the Skoda Part Number is:

036 906 262 G

They can cost about £140 to £150

Edited 1 February, 2012 by Taylor93

[chrisfabia]

Greetings, I have this same problem with my Fabia, took EGR valve off and cleaned it a few months ago, also put some BG44 fuel additive in, EML stayed off for ages. Just recently the EML keeps coming on, I can turn it off and reset as I have a very basic VAG fault code reader. If I remove the throttle body and clean this outlet pipe, will my reader also let me reset that? It may be a coincidence but it started to come on after I had the thermostat done, my engine wasn't warming up properly, just getting to the first mark on the temp guage, also had a large build up of creamy stuff on oil filler, not on dipstick, my guess was my engine wasn't getting hot enough to evaporate the moisture in the engine. This is now sorted and my fuel economy has also improved, do you know if the EGR valve only kicks in once the engine reaches operating temp? If so it may explain why I've had a few months without the EML. My thermostat was clogged up with Kseal as when I first saw the creamy stuff I panicked and chucked two bottles of the stuff in (Not at the same time!) Your opinions would be a great help. Chris ;-)

[fabdavrav]

Looks like another one of those jobs which should have been on the original service list.....

Everytime I clean/check my filter I clean that area as well.....well you are there, so might as well!!.....so mine only ever has a slight thin "coating" which wipes away easily........but that is really bad!!!!...

[ChrisjMetcher]

im presuming that there is a gasket between the throttle body and the egr body? 

[Taylor93]

IIRC on the 1.4 16V there are supposed to be 3 gaskets

 

one in between the EGR valve and the engine

 

another in between the EGR and the EGR->Intake Pipe

 

and the final one connects the EGR ->Intake pipe to the intake manifold.

 

The EGR->Intake pipe is the pipe which connects the EGR valve (at the front of the engine bay, near the air intake) to the Intake manifold, it is routed under the thermostat and top radiator pipes.