X14XE engine problems

[joff-turbo-nova]

Hi All
I need some help from you chaps with a problem I have with the wifes corsa.
The engine is an X14XE and has a spec as follows :

K&N filter
4 branch manifold
Cat bypass
2" stainless exhaust

Everything seems to have been running OK up until about just before Christmas.

Symptoms of the problems are :

part throttle chugging
hesitation
engine missing
plugs sooting upI have done the following :-

changed Coolant temp sensor
changed air inlet temp sensor
changed MAP sensor
changed lambda sensor
changed crank sensor
changed DIS pack
changed plug leads & plugsAll the above are brand new items apart from the DIS pack which is a known good item.

The symptoms still persist after all the above changes.

As far as I can tell I have changed all the sensors on the engine apart from the idle control valve, throttle position sensor and knock sensor.
Anyone got any ideas what is going on . There is no EML light coming on and no error codes are stored on the ECU as I can read them with my Sykes Pickavant code reader.

This is now really bugging me and the wife is getting somewhat annoyed that I can't seem to fix it !!!

Cheers

Joff

[John]

Have you checked the throttle body for oil fouling joff? Any air leaks?

[joff-turbo-nova]

I have cleaned out the throttle body from the top with carb cleaner - can't hear any leaks and have checked the rubber hose between the throttle body and inlet manifold.

I haven;t changed the idle control valve as its almost impossible to get to !

Joff

[John]

Also the egr valves can stick, causing the symptoms you describe. Usually the eml illuminates though. From experience egrs sticking can be indiacted by the engine running warmer than usual. the other way to check is by having it plugged in (tech2 or similar) and check the feedback readings.
I'd remove the throttle body to clean it joff, carbon deposits can sit/foul between the disc and the body itself.

[joff-turbo-nova]

There's no EGR valve fitted as the 4 branch manifold blanked this off.

I think I will remove the throttle body and give it a through clean and replace the Idle control valve and throttle position sensor whilst its off.

Its a real ar$e of a job getting the throttle body off - :(

Joff

[John]

There's no EGR valve fitted as the 4 branch manifold blanked this off.

I think I will remove the throttle body and give it a through clean and replace the Idle control valve and throttle position sensor whilst its off.

Its a real ar$e of a job getting the throttle body off - :(

Joff

The egr valve is situated in the lower half of the inlet manifold joff. Sounds like you've blanked the pipes off, but the valve will still be plugged in and working.

This is what the egr valve looks like
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/vauxhall-corsa-sport-1-4-16v-egr-valve_W0QQitemZ260365057882QQihZ016QQcategoryZ1040 4QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Again a right pita to replace!

[Mikey_J]

As above I'd say. Also you could try disconnecting the egr itself. Obviously the eml will come on but you'll know if its that by how the engine runs.

Also its not difficult to change at all. Just undo the coolant reservoir nuts and pull it to the side and its 2 torx bolts that hold it in. 10/15 min job max

[Adam]

What youve blocked off with the exhaust manifold is the Secondary air injection system.

[joff-turbo-nova]

Yeah, just been reading up on how the EGR system works - aparently there is a channel within the head that redirects some of the exhaust gases to the point where the EGR valve lives.

What I was thinking I had removed is the secondary air intake system that pumps air into the exhaust to heat the cat up quicker.

As I don' really need this system I am thinking that I will make up a blanking plate to sit between the inlet and EGR valve - this will still be plugged in for the ECU but will not do anything as it will be blanked off.

I'll let you know how I get on.

Joff

[John]

good work joff, will be interesting to see the results of the egr blanking.

[meritlover]

or make a plate to go between the throttle body and the head ;)

[John]

or make a plate to go between the throttle body and the head ;)

:confused:

[meritlover]

the EGR gas goes from the valve, through the TB mounting bracket into the inlet ;)

[John]

the EGR gas goes from the valve, through the TB mounting bracket into the inlet ;)

Ahh, with you now.

[Mikey_J]

Iirc Vauxhall actually sell blank off plates for £2/3 quid. Ive got an x16xe which has had the egr blanked off for near on a year now and have no problems whatsoever although the eml light will come on every now and then. It does'nt cause any running problems though and tbh i feel it idles smoother with it blanked off :thumb:

Also if you want a little more power fit a powerbox, the difference it makes is ridiculous

[meritlover]

yes, get rid of the penis plenum. it flows bad

[joff-turbo-nova]

Iirc Vauxhall actually sell blank off plates for £2/3 quid. Ive got an x16xe which has had the egr blanked off for near on a year now and have no problems whatsoever although the eml light will come on every now and then. It does'nt cause any running problems though and tbh i feel it idles smoother with it blanked off :thumb:

Also if you want a little more power fit a powerbox, the difference it makes is ridiculous

You didn't get a part number did you????

Cheers for all the help - I tried getting the EGR valve off today - got as far as the first bolt - the second was was hidden round the back and was partially shrouded by the inlet pipe !! I was losing light so put it all back together - will try again next weekend when I have more time.

Joff

[John]

Joff, i've also seen one where bits of broken, old cat had blocked the valve too. I know you have a de-cat, might be worth a gander though as i presume its had a cat at some point?
The gasket is for the x16szr/z16se engine (as found in the astra g) iirc. Ask for one for that engine code, and see if it's the same shape as the x14xe egr valve.

[joff-turbo-nova]

Right,

Done a how to for the EGR blanking plate which should help some ....

First job get a new gasket from Vauxhall - about £2 ....

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/joff-turbo-nova/blank1.jpg

Next job source some suitable plate metal .....

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/joff-turbo-nova/blank2.jpg

.... and use the gasket as a template .....

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/joff-turbo-nova/blank3.jpg

... and cut out and shape , file and drill so that it matches the gasket exactly ....

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/joff-turbo-nova/blank4-1.jpg

...... or get them from Vauxhall .....

http://www.corsasport.co.uk/carimages/2520/mvc789s.jpg


.... next job is to go to the car and remove in the following order , battery , fuel pipes and servo vacume pipe then coolant expansion tank and you should be left with this - the EGR is circled .....

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/joff-turbo-nova/blank5.jpg

....and here it is closer up ....

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/joff-turbo-nova/blank5a.jpg

It has two T45 torx bolts (well my engine did!) , the near side is easy to get to, the offside is nigh on impossible - you have to do it by feel - lots of trial & error .

With the EGR now removed you can see where it sits on the inlet manifold ....

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/joff-turbo-nova/blank6.jpg

... and here it is closer up - you can see the far bolt hole ....

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/joff-turbo-nova/blank6a.jpg

... then put the plate next to the EGR, new gasket and bolt back to the manifold.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/joff-turbo-nova/blank7.jpg

Put the plug back in the top and put all the fuel and vacume lines back on tight, put the expansion tank in and replace the battery.

I am finding that it is running a lot smoother on both idle and part revs travelling 40-50 mph .

The ECU light comes on after a period of hard acceleration when you back off, but goes back off again when you turn the ignition off.

Any questions let me know !

Joff

[Mikey_J]

Im guessing it solved the problem then? Unfortunately theres nothing you can do about the eml coming on its just something you have to put up with.

As for the powerbox i mentioned before, not only does it make a ridiculous amount of difference to performance it makes the engines so much easier to work on!

[joff-turbo-nova]

Im guessing it solved the problem then? Unfortunately theres nothing you can do about the eml coming on its just something you have to put up with.

As for the powerbox i mentioned before, not only does it make a ridiculous amount of difference to performance it makes the engines so much easier to work on!

I'm struggling to justify spending more money on the corsa at the moment bearing in mind its only worth about £600 tops !! I hear what you're saying about easier to work on though !!!

Joff