Age old EGR cooler question - New purchase risk

[Stevo200]

Hi all, looking to purchase a T5.1 transporter and after some advice on the risks of a CFCA engine with a Rev C egr cooler. My preference would have been to but a 2017+ with the Rev D from factory, but looking for a 4motion so options are limited.

Ive done plenty of reading about the issue, but a suitable 2015 4motion has popped up. It has 117km on it, but the owner nor their mechanic can advise if the is any oil usage between services (I believe them both, van is a female owner who doesn't know how to check the oil, and the mechanic said he doesn't check before draining) Wondering what the risk factor is to buy it with the plan of changing to the rev D cooler, or if its likely the damage has already been done by 117km. It has had all servicing done on time at their local mechanic along with new DSG oil and timing belt at 95km. I know its a black art with no real answer, but looking for people opinions. Thanks

[MIG]

I guess you can never be too sure about it, but if you want reassurance a compression test, leak-down test and oil analysis would give you a pretty good clue.

Then upgrade \ delete the egr and cooler.

[Craigs902]

Sorry for the late reply, did you go ahead and purchase the van?

[USINOZZ]

Hi Stevo..
Not sure if you purchased this or not but since I have some relevant experience on this I thought I would post for anyone interested.

I was going through the same thing about a year ago only difference being that I was not looking at a 4 motion. I found a really nice 2015 Highline with every option there was it seemed. Always serviced at VW had a good log book an the place in Victoria selling it dealt in high-end cars and had a good rep from what I could tell. I could tell it had the Rev C EGR but I talked to the mechanic at the shop he felt good about it in that he did not see signs of Oil consumption. Was under 160k and I negotiated 30 days on it. I drove it a lot in that 30 days and my mechanic felt good about it as well. With that said I did put aside 3500 for a new EGR set up. Sure enough about 5 months in it started popping the CEL and my reader showed it was the EGR. Started running rough and even though I would clear it and see it not pending it just started being in pending and then pop the CEL. When I ran diagnostics at home it was apparent it was ready for a replacement. My shop recommended a partner that only focuses on TDI's and diesels in general as he said he will not deal with those issues on the VW and only uses this shop to do the work. The shop he sent me to was a one man show but you could tell from the type of vehicles in there it was a good place. He recommended a replacement with the latest VW part number. We discussed a delete and an aftermarket EGR but he insisted that going OEM and the new part number was best if I didn't want to be back in 6 months. When he removed the old EGR he noted that he did not feel it was breaking down and felt that it was very likely that the engine was fine especially since I had not seen any oil consumption and he had seen bad ones. $3,350 later and it runs great and I love the van.

In the process I also talked to other owners with 2015 T5.1's for sale two had been replaced one was seeing some oil issues and two other stated that they had no oil consumption issues at 100k plus. So I think there are good ones out there, ask the question, see if you can get it looked into, just be ready to spend the money on an EGR replacement and it will likely be ok....

[Lars VW]

I have heard that the coated EGR coolers may even break down and create problems, perhaps not as quick as previous. I was wondering how yours is going? I have just purchased a 2012 4motion highline with the CFCA engine and have been exploring my best course of action regarding the EGR. (if I delete to I need to do the DPF also?)

[lloydus67]

You don’t need to delete the dpf when you delete the egr, you do however need the coding changed (a tune as it is more commonly referred as) during this process, for zero extra dollars they can also tune out you dpf if you prefer, they can also dial in some extra power. That is up to you and the conversation that you have with your tuner.


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