11 replies to this topic

[Ouchie]

My vx has just developed a strange new characteristic other than the rattly noisy one. When sat idling the engine (na - not turbo) will "blip". The revs bounce 2 or 3 times a second between 500 and 900 ish, low to just above normal of 700. It was ok driving home until I was sat at lights and it managed to stall. Restarting was a bit worrying as it took a while to turn over and required a heavy push on the throttle to help. Once up and going it seems a little down on power but not much but when cruising along (50 in 5th gear) the car lurches a little as the revs are bouncing again and it feels like somebody is tapping the brake or throttle pedal <--- crude example but this is the appoximate frequency of the blips. Anybody got any ideas other than search for random words that I don't know the meaning of - I'm not very technical when it comes to sealed units ... like a car There are no extra lights on the stack dash. The engine is not remapped, is equipped with a VSE but otherwise a standard na. This is my only car so really need it to last another few weeks until it gets to TMS for service/mot and anything else I get talked into "needing".

Edited by Ouchie, 30 November 2007 - 10:39 PM.

[Winstar]

never had this in the VX but it sounds like what my mum's vectra 1.8 did when the throttle body was playing up, in her case a good clean made it a lot better as the CCV was making it sticky

Edited by Winstar, 30 November 2007 - 10:45 PM.

[n1k_ns]

Thats the EGR Valve mate,

Check out these threads from when mine was playing up:

EGR Valve Video

More EGR Fun

Guide To Replacing EGR Valve

Just get one off a 2.2 vectra from a scrappy, £30 or there is one HERE on ebay for £25

Edited by n1k_ns, 30 November 2007 - 11:21 PM.

[Ouchie]

Thats the EGR Valve mate,

Check out these threads from when mine was playing up:

EGR Valve Video

Thats exactly the same! I am both relieved and unhappy. Like you I need to get it sorted sooner rather than later but will probably try to get a egr cheater too. Virtual pint on its way to you right now. Do you drink at 5 in the morning

Anybody know the long term damage this can cause other than me getting out and going all Fawlty Towers on the car when it stalls.

[Ouchie]

I've been trying to understand what the egr valve does and why it is such an evil component. It really did seem like an exercise in complexity for very little reason. Have I got this right... - EGR valve is fine until it opens (to recirculate exhaust gases) and gets stuck. - Replacing the EGR valve will only postpone the inevitable again. - Fitting a cheater and a blanking plate will force the system into permanently closed operation. - Can a bit of alluminium coke can be used to make a blanking plate? Just got the egr valve off and it is in a high state of corrosion, no wonder they pack up based on where they are in the vx. Anybody who keeps their car tucked up in a garage and only let it out on sunny sundays have the right idea Sort of. I wanted to learn a bit more about cars at some point but why couldn't it wait until the summer

[vocky]

when the egr valve sticks a blanking plate won't work with the duff valve still electrically connected which is why the egr cheater was produced buy a vauxhall blanking plate: 24575592 £3.25 and fit the egr cheater

[Ouchie]

As a temporary fix can I simply block off the exit hole on the valve? That way it won't matter what the valve is doing, the system will still be closed. Which is why I asked about using a coke can and cutting it up, not much else I can find that will help. I need to be able to drive tomorrow and might have missed the local stealers now, plus I need to actually order the cheater

[vocky]

yes you can temporally blank off the smaller hole with a piece of tin can at least then your tickover should be ok

[Winstar]

yes you can temporally blank off the smaller hole with a piece of tin can

at least then your tickover should be ok

Make sure you use a steel can, as an Aluminium one is likely to melt.

[Ouchie]

Thanks for the help guys. I'll quickly bodge a temp fix then send a donation your way Vocky. Found out that I live a 10 minute walk fom a car spares yard. Problem is they closed at 12 and I got there at 12:10. I bet they have loads of 2.2 egr valves going to pennies

[n1k_ns]

I used a small disc of metal on my broken EGR valve and it worked great, didnt even get the dash light on! I got a new one anyway though

[Ouchie]

The blanking plate was actually £3.14 from local VX dealers and they had it in stock Will fit it today then set about getting a cheater module. Who cares about a few extra emmissions anyway.