1.4 HDi EGR Blanking plate questions...

Hi all.

I have had an EGR blanking plate for a while, but not fitted it. I have a couple of simple questions.

1. Is it legal to fit one?
2. Would a garage do it for me?
3. Is it a good idea to fit one?
4. Will all the fault lights/codes come on if I fit one?
5. Any other unseen implications?!!

Anyone help with the above?

Many Many thanks!!
Sam

Hi samuelodog

samuelodog wrote:1. Is it legal to fit one?
2. Would a garage do it for me?
3. Is it a good idea to fit one?
4. Will all the fault lights/codes come on if I fit one?
5. Any other unseen implications?!!

I wouldn't fit the blanking plate unless you have a fault with the EGR system, or a suspected fault and you are diagnosing it.

Blanking off the EGR (Exhaust gas recirculation) doesn't help the car when its working correctly. The EGR system is used to lower emissions and the ECU can use it to alter combustion temperatures when required by the performance map. If you blank it off, you loose those features.

This is a useful diagnosis tool when you have a lack of power; if blanking it off makes no difference then the EGR is not stuck open.
If blanking off the EGR makes the car run better - your EGR is stuck open (or has a control problem).

The blanking plate is only useful if your EGR is stuck open (or not under proper control). In this case the engine gets far too much EGR too often and can cause problems. The fix is to repair (normally just clean) the EGR assembly, but a 'quick fix' of blanking it off temporarily can get you back on the road quickly.

Fitting is a relatively simple job, one that could be done at the road side if needed, but I doubt you will need one if the car is well maintained.

This is a vacuum controlled EGR from an early 2002 model before they went to electronic control:


This is the EGR fitted to the car:

The EGR blanking plate and a matching gasket is available here (amazon)

The Citroen C3 EGR removal and cleaning topic

Many thanks

So I should just leave it alone, as the car is fine. Bit stuttery and jerky when cold, but apart from that, fine.

samuelodog wrote:Many thanks

So I should just leave it alone, as the car is fine. Bit stuttery and jerky when cold, but apart from that, fine.

Don't add the EGR plate for the sake of it. If you want to solve the stuttery and jerky from cold, try disconnecting the MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor and see if it makes a difference to cold running. The MAF is on the inlet air pipe and connected with a multi way plug that unclips.

Other than that, there may be error codes stored for the jerky/stuttery problem, read these with lexia.