EGR Valve & Anti Roll Bar

[Relaxicano]

Afternoon,

I am new to this site, actually never used a chat forum before - so hello everyone :Blush:

I have an Audi A4 Avante 54plate, (130) TDi which I purchased Jan this year.
I pretty much had it serviced (Major service) by an audi specilaist a couple of weeks after i bought it.

I've been doing high miles so it's due for a basic service soon (bought it at 77k now 89k). A couple of things that came from that intial service which I didn't act upon due to cost, but would like some thoughts before I book it in for its next service

1) EGR Valve leaking oil - is this common, serious??
2) Rear antil roll bar and bushes worn??

It's due it's MOT next month, will these faults affect MOT?

During the heatwave last week the air-con started struggling and sometimes didn't work. There is no history of air con being serviced, does it just need a service? re-gased? How much should this cost? how often should it be done?

Many thanks..

[kite]

If you have to change the RARB for the MOT get an RS4 RARB, its thicker and stiffer.
A lot of people blank off the EGR, you may find a How To on here.
Air con may just need a re-gass to top it up...

[paul20v]

I have my AC serviced every 2 years at least ,
it dries the condensation out of the system regases and reoils it ,
as for the EGR oil leak is a common enough problem
the arb bushes will fail a test if there excessively worn just get them renewed not a big job or exspensive.

[RickT]

Hi,

EGR, yes these are common and leak after around 80k miles.. -- If its just leaking out slowlym it will be ok for some time..

if its the centre bushes on the antiroll bar, it wont fail the MOT as these are just supports and the bar is still solid.

Cheers

Rick

[paul20v]

if its the centre bushes on the antiroll bar, it wont fail the MOT as these are just supports and the bar is still solid.


Im not looking for an argument but if a D Bush has excessive play as i said it will FAIL an mot ,
"these are just supports " what does that mean ?
MOT criteria as follows for Suspension components including Anti Roll Bars :


. Excessive play in a pin/bush or pin/ bearing for example more than

- 2mm for a 12mm diameter pin

- 3mm for a 25mm diameter pin

- 10% of the diameter for pins over 25mm diameter

. Excessive play in a ball joint

. Deterioration of a rubber bush resulting in excessive movement
. deterioration of the bonding of a rubber bush/mounting resulting in excessive movement.


A suspension attachment linkage bracket

. insecure

. cracked or fractured

. damaged, corroded or worn to such an extent that its strength is seriously reduced

. nut, bolt or rivet missing, or weld cracked

. seriously weakened as a result of deliberate modification


Hope this clears things up.

[Relaxicano]

Thanks guys, very helpful.

Also, what does the EGR valve do?
I'm not to concerned about getting the rear anti roll bar bushes replaced, it's that in the service report the mechanic mentiond that bar needs to be replaced.
Is this common at high (ish) miles?? Surley this is big bucks??

I realise when things need replacing, they need replacing, I just want to be a bit more knowledgeable...

Cheers

[kite]

EGR=Exhaust Gas Re-circulation
The bushes are part of the bar, its around £75

[Dave Avant]

My ARB failed the MOT.

I removed the silly plastic sleeve on the bar and modified the bush to be tighter on the bar without the sleeve being there. Job done. As it would be on a 'normal' setup.

[RickT]

Im not looking for an argument but if a D Bush has excessive play as i said it will FAIL an mot ,
"these are just supports " what does that mean ?
MOT criteria as follows for Suspension components including Anti Roll Bars :

.


If the collars have cracked like below, it wont fail the MOT..

I have had my last 2 MOTS at AUDI, and just got advisors for it.

The collars do not affect the bar, therefore there is no play in it at at all.



http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s13/RickT_album/R0010962.jpg

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s13/RickT_album/R0010963.jpg

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s13/RickT_album/R0010965.jpg

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s13/RickT_album/R0010967.jpg

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s13/RickT_album/R0010971.jpg

Cheers

Rick

[paul20v]

The words being "excessive movement" non of us can comment really as non of us have seen the bushes in question or assesed them personally.

:beerchug:

[spartacus 68]

As suggested - if you have to replace the rear anti-roll bar, go for an RS4 version. http://www.audifans.net/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=28359
http://www.picpiggy.com/smile/party/party0048.gif (http://www.picpiggy.com)

[Relaxicano]

Cheers. It's booked in for an aircon service and oil change tomorrow, I've asked the mechanic to show me the problem with the anti roll bar while I'm there...will report back

[Karcsi]

My EGR valve leaked sludggy stuff for 18 months or so between 70 and 80k. Had Audi take a look, and they said there was nothing to worry about - the car may not be driven too much / too hard so it builds up from the crap in the exhaust gas. Since then my sister has started using it for her 50 mile round trip each day to work. It's cleared up.

Rear ARB - last two services highlighted slight play in it, but I've been advised by Audi that there is no need to replace it yet.

Aircon has lasted 8 years now without service / re-gas! Perhaps not quite as good as it was, though. Apparently Halfords does a refill service for £30. Is that true / recommended?