Vauxhall/Opel Zafira cleaning the EGR valve 1.7cdti A17DTJ

My Vauxhall Zafira 1.7 cdti ecoflex engine, cleaning the Exhaust Gas Re-circulation valve.
Over time this gets clogged up with carbon/exhaust deposits and becomes sticky. If left too long it will jam either open or closed and reduce engine performance.
The EGR is there to re-burn exhaust gases to reduce noxious gasses being emitted from the exhaust.
This video I show how to remove and clean it on the 1.7 diesel A17DTJ engine.

[@neildean7515]

Great job, this was my issue, bow gets cleaned every 6 months. That split pipe is a pain in the butt, but makes a big difference to Engine/Fuel performance when cleaned .. good job.

[@junkendriven]

Good to know it's doing the job for you cleaning it out, yeah amazing how much it can affect the running of the engine

[@danieldoherty8009]

Great video ,but what was the out come ? Did it solve the problem ?

[@gurglejug627]

Hi, thanks for a good video. I have just replaced the cam-position sensor as my car was doing weird things hut no luck: For months it has been spitting oil from the exhaust, far more if I tow a trailer (for some reason I can't fathom), but it ran fine. For weeks now it starts immediately then dies after 5 seconds. It will restart but only after turning the engine over for ages - then it seems to run fine but it is thirsty so I just drive under 50mph. Very occasionally she'd start and not die so it's to some degree intermittent - and there was never a problem restarting when the engine is warm! Finally now, she won't start at all. The turbo went ages ago I think due to a lack of oil (leak) low down in the engine - I paid loads to have the leak repaired but it just came back. If you have any ideas what I can do to keep her running at least a few more weeks until I can get get back to the UK and a replacement car it would be great... and I'd love to learn what causes these things anyway. Cheers!

[@xmcfatal1]

Thank u

[@BendeIstvan8112]

Hi Andy! You've a great video of the EGR cleaning, but what about the EGR cooler and pipes? That's OK, you have cleaned the EGR assembly, but there is a huge amount of carbon in the pipes and cooler as well. Have you already cleaned these parts as well?

[@neildean7515]

This extra cleaning would make a great video. These GM zafira B’s seem to gunk up a lot with carbon… you was thinking the same as me??? How to do a proper job!!!!

[@albi3876]

Mine has been driving like a bag of spammers interminably no revs at all kangarooing etc, EGR off and the plunger was tight all cleaned moves freely and no issues, one other thing the cir-clip has come off the turbo acuator causing the rod to come off - any ideas ??

[@brettwilliams2597]

i saw it done somewhere else u take the battery holder thing off the plate at the bottom with the bolts and u can get to it

[@junkendriven]

Ah good info. Yes battery and battery tray out should get better access to be able to strip and clean that better, I suspect it does need doing! Thanks

[@barryharding6962]

Hi did you use water aswel? And should I wait until its fully dry before putting it back on?

[@junkendriven]

Hi Barry, no didn't use water, unsure about corrosion, etc. And yes dried quickly but waited before putting it back on. Good luck with yours

[@europeancountries.3208]

How is problem before this engine,I mean what kind issue?

[@zdnekpicha7956]

OK👍

[@junkendriven]

Two more videos on this subject, be cautious of cheap ebay EGR replacements as they don't seem to work well with the Vauxhall ECU: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJrWe6ysrqmbps0 - My Zafira breaks down due to an EGR fault kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6Gml3iimc6nZ6M - Repairing the EGR again after a second replacement EGR is sent

[@lukeblack410]

How did you get the electrical clip off as I was having having trouble with mine

[@junkendriven]

They are a pain! Persistence and slowly rocking it back and forth is the way with all those cable connectors

[@user-fv6qr1fm9p]

Hi, great video! Can you please confirm the orientation of the gaskets? There's a lip on each one and I think I've put mine on the wrong way round 😂 cheers!

[@junkendriven]

Hi. Thanks for watching. Unfortunately I didn't take note of which way round they went, I suspect I did the same on one or more of these videos (Several for the EGR replacement so if you search the channel you might find one with enough info for you!) - Hope you get yours sorted.

[@user-fv6qr1fm9p]

No worries, I've just changed the EGR and fuel filter (intermittent spanner light and juddering acceleration) and now have code 040907 (EGR valve stuck?) I wondered if it was due to the gaskets being the wrong way round but now suspect it's more likely the cheap EGR I bought off eBay! Back to the drawing board 😂. Thanks for getting back to me anyway 👍

[@junkendriven]

Aha, yes very likely, take a look at my two other videos on the Vauxhall EGR: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJrWe6ysrqmbps0 I suspect I had the same issue with my replacement, the electronics in it don't communicate well with the Vauxhall ECU. My solution was to combine the new body/housing with the old solenoid as it still worked and it seemed to solve my issues. Hope you get it sorted kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6Gml3iimc6nZ6M

[@user-fv6qr1fm9p]

@@junkendriven will give that a try, thanks for your help!

[@b-v-rvapour-nation9157]

Would be awesome to know if this actually helped at all ? How it improved?

[@junkendriven]

Hi, for my problem it didn't solve it and I don't think mine seemed too bad, so in my case it made little difference. I think the 1.7cdti ecoflex engine isn't too badly affected by egr blocking

[@martinroberts3977]

@@junkendriven what was wrong with it? as the egg seems stuck. You can just buy a new one £30-130 depending on quality. The only issue they have is seizing which gives you a bad tinny echo or the car won't accelerate and throws out black smoke.

[@junkendriven]

@@martinroberts3977 Hi Martin, probably out of context as there is another video which contains my boost fault on my 1.7cdti kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXfKfqSmatGjmNU which is the main problem, in investigating I thought I'd clean the EGR out in case it was related, but in this case it wasn't and the EGR looks like it's working fine. Thanks for the clarification so in my case it wasn't giving the black smoke, echo, etc.

[@martinroberts3977]

@@junkendriven Just watched the video I had a Gold that had a similar issue get a suction valve and attach it to the Turbo actuator if it doesn't hold vacuum the diaphragm will have punctured. IT usually an easy fix. on the Golf it was about £50 for a cheap Chinese one but it did the trick. I used an oil extractor which sucks up the oil instead of draining it from the sump. The Turbo actuator didn't hold any vacuum .

[@lukeblack410]

@@junkendriven what was the problemon your as mine does t seem to get any revs from time to time

[@PierreRees]

Did you replace the 2 gaskets or used the same ones?

[@junkendriven]

Just used the same ones, they weren't in bad condition and weren't bent out of shape when replacing

[@PierreRees]

@@junkendriven nice one. I did my EGR valve yesterday on the back of watching your video mate, and at the minute it seems to have sorted my problem out. Time will tell 🤞

[@nehemiahgrey625]

i know Im asking the wrong place but does someone know of a trick to get back into an instagram account..? I was dumb lost my account password. I would appreciate any help you can give me

[@gregorydaniel9068]

@Nehemiah Grey instablaster :)

[@nehemiahgrey625]

@Gregory Daniel thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site on google and I'm waiting for the hacking stuff atm. I see it takes a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@colinevans7134]

Don't waste your money folks, buy a oven cleaner spray

[@arrowblue3909]

Indeed it does also remove carbon deposits. Here in Belgium carbon cleaner and oven cleaner are less than 3 euros xp so you can choose

[@bosnjak-bp-007]

Good Video, you can clean the pipe under EGR,but after clean you must sealing the pipe/cover with sealing material

[@junkendriven]

Thanks for the info

[@neildean7515]

What sealing product or material would you use. I assume you just put it on the seam before screwing back down ? Any further advice is very helpful

[@mbz4652]

@@neildean7515 Did you find out?

[@colinwatson8525]

Why is my car chugging and drinking the diesel

[@junkendriven]

That sounds like it's doing dpf regeneration or you've got a surge (suction) control valve problem. Of you search my other videos I've made both on the dpf and the surge valve replacements. Thanks for watching

[@nathanreid2974]

did you buy the zafira new or second hand just out of interest. also do you think you may want an EGR delete, check this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqHJdmuZg9KFqqc

[@junkendriven]

Hi Nathan, I bought the car second hand about 2 years ago. The car only had one previous owner and mainly was used for shortt town runs so was very low mileage (40,000 miles for a 2011). I've put quite a few miles on but it's still low for its age, currently around 64,000 miles. I'm not a fan of egr delete. I don't really agree with removing components such as egr, dpf, etc so considering the egr wasn't too bad I don't think it's a major concern on this engine (on the other diesels in the range it's a bigger problem as well as egr you have swirl flaps that get jammed which is a bigger clean up job)

[@nadimhussain3906]

Not helpful

[@spacepicture]

To much time undoing screws doing up screws,and talking about your tools