S40 1.9 TD - Sudden loss of power

Hi,

My usually rock solid S40 developed a total loss of power a couple of days
ago - it would start and idle and pull away - but then refuse to
accelerate - gentle coaxing got it up to 20mph - but any attempt at
accelerating beyond this was futile and even the slightest hill was a
challenge - luckily a service centre is mostly down hill from me...

They have had the car two days and say I am into several hundreds of pounds
to fix - some valve (GRD valve(?)) was faulty and had welded itself to the
manifold - so they were looking at a long and expensive fix.

Well I have 'googled' trying to find any reference to the part as they
named it - and cannot find any. I would not usually be suspicious other than
the car had a full service on Monday this week, at the same shop. OK
coincidences can happen - but I don't want to be spending this much money
unless I really have to. And the car is seven years old, so things break,
but things that break usually have a name that you can identify don't they?

Cheers

 

Hello.
Try searching for an EGR valve and You'll get on much better! It's an
Exhaust Gas Recirculation valve. They're known for seizing, either
open or closed, and they will give the symptoms you describe. It could
also be the turbo wastegate stuck open, resulting in no boost
pressure. Not sure what the S40 system is like.
Also, yes, they do regularly weld themselves to the manifold, and are
usually a real pig to get off. Need lots of heat. Easiest to get off
after a long blast down a motorway, but I guess that's out of the
question unless you can get the valve to move manually (hammer and
hardwood drift!) Engine will normally run fine with EGR completely
blanked off. Just more smoky.

new valve is expensive too. I would estimate £300.

Good luck. At least when it's done it'll be good for another 7 years.
Regards.
joe.

p.s my E-mail address is completely bogus. Reply to group.