MikeT's C5r 1.6 hdi Estate

[MikeT]

Having donated my known-good Air Doser and MAF to the X7, I bought a used doser off ebay and on fitting it (and the X7's removed MAF) got rewarded with a handful of related fault codes including shut down of ABS and ESP functions on starting the engine.

Those codes cleared themselves once auto-adapatives was invoked but that then triggered four new fault codes, indicating the EGR is stuck in the closed position. If it weren't for the slight loss of performance, I'd be tempted to leave it that way.


Electric EGR valve position copy signal Valve opening too small
Temporary
QWP- P0490

Electric EGR valve position copy signal Valve stuck when driving
Temporary
QWR- P1162

Fault: air circuit amount of air measured higher than the setting
DAI- P0401

Electric EGR valve position copy signal Valve stuck during programming
8WK- P0409

[GiveMeABreak]

Mike Here are the faults descriptors as they apply to your engine ECU. Most of these should disappear after 5 minutes or so of driving - so as you say may take a little while for the ECU to settle down with the new data it is receiving...

These should clarify in quality when clicked on:

[MikeT]

I don't think this is one of those magically-fix-itself scenarios, Marc The codes show it can't program endpoints at engine off, can't see the valve moving when driving and the copy signal always reading "too small".

Live parameters shows the EGR to be permanently stuck in the closed position. The AirFlow discrepancy shows fresh air supplementing the missing exhaust mass, despite the EGR being commanded 90% open and the EGR throttle at 70%.

[MikeT]

First splash n dash since the EGR's been stuck closed and I find it even more tempting to leave it be.

[GiveMeABreak]

That's only 15 miles though - bound to drop as it averages out. Not that I'm in the slightest bit jealous of course, you understand.

[MikeT]

Yes, it will drop for sure Marc, but just illustrates how detrimental the EGR is to fuel economy as this is the first time I've seen it above 68.4mpg, and by quite a margin.

[MikeT]

There's also smoke out the exhaust when booting it, leading me to think the turbo's seals are past their best.

With the responsive low-down torque delivery of this engine, there's no advantage redlining it but after topping up the oil I did so to observe if this smoking has got worse but was pleasantly surprised to see none and wonder if my now stuck-closed EGR was the cause rather than suspecting the turbo?

In other news, the O/S sidlight failed to illuminate last night.

[MikeT]

Dear diary

After vehicle wakeup and suspension adjustment, key on voltage 11.8v
Heavy fog tonight, all lights check, sidelight working ok now.
Turned on blower fan with vent last set to footwell, flow only out screen. Cycled vent positions, flow followed as commanded.
Return home, sidelight out again.
Key off, 12.6v

[MikeT]

I'm just out of hospital following major surgery and am now hoping to get the X7 serviced and on the road by the end of the month. If successful that means I'll be looking to sell this estate on as I can't justify keeping them both, as much as I'd like to.

[MikeT]

Since the X7 came my way I've been planning to sell this estate but I'm finding myself more and more reluctant to let if go as I near getting the X7 back on the road (Monday).

It's so spacious, some comfy, easy to drive with low-down torque and returns the best fuel economy I've ever experienced.
As if it's conscious of this last night it peaked over 70mpg for the first time in my three year ownership. I'm gobsmacked.
Admittedly I've stopped spending money on it where needed due to the planned swapover but it doesn't complain and just soldiers on regardless.

There's still a few months tax/ins/mot left on it so I'll have the best of both worlds for a while - what's a man to do when he's spoilt for choice like this? Perhaps, when the MOT is due, I'll be more inclined to let it go?

Is anyone here interested in taking it on as a going concern? I'm sure it'll prove a worthwhile investment to someone who'll be pro-active with maintenance schedules, especially early oil/filter changes, despite the bad rep these DV6TED4 engine have.

[GiveMeABreak]

70 MPG?

I think you can wave goodbye to that Mike on the X7. That's not quite double my 138

[MikeT]

I got some hints the X7 can't be as frugal already, Marc - like Colin celebrating getting over 45mpg on the way down here, the official emissions being marginally higher per km, the bigger wheels and being told the saloon is heavier than the facelift estate.

But it does look nice and if none of the original problems resurface, might change it's nickname from Devil Car to Cap'n Jack Sparrow, seeing as it's paint is Black Pearl

[MikeT]

Still can't bring myself to put this up for sale so finally (1000+ miles overdue) had it serviced today (incl much needed new strut leak-off pipe) and mechanic spotted more wetness elsewhere. Initially, he pointed to staining on that low-hanging hydraulic pipe on the offside but further inspection found copious fresh fluid under the power steering pump unions.

Is the pump serviceable or should I be looking for a replacement?

ps Any DIY'er thinking of buying it better get in quick - as cheap as it could be (I haven't tarted it up yet) the price is heading upwards each time it's worked on.

[lexi]

Just wondered what has happened to this blog. Hoping all is well with you Mike?