EGR Blanking: To blank or not to blank?

[defever]

Good morning B5 drivers,

While troubleshooting my limp mode experience, I learned a bit more about what Exhaust Gas Recirculation is, its concept and how it works. A quick Google will show that there is polarised opinion on the benefit / necessity of having the EGR “blanked” or “deleted”.

One argument is that EGR is essentially putting the soot back into the engine and it should be removed to preserve the engine and for better performance / efficiency.

The opposing argument is that it will fail the MOT emission test (and for more modern vehicles it will also fail the MOT due to Check Engine Light on).

Another argument, slightly neutral stance, is that EGR only works during steady circulation; it shouldn’t work at idle or at high rev so the amount of soot that is recirculated is very marginal and shouldn’t harm the engine.

So my questions are: Will removing the EGR have a significant difference on emission test? Does EGR blanking improve fuel economy?

I would like to hear any opinions or experiences of deleting EGR (good or bad) from fellow B5 owners, please. Either on B5s or on any other car.

Thank you!

[Doctle Odd]

I deleted the EGR on my TDi Octy, it's 99 so doesn't throw a CEL. You can turn it down using VCDS or use a blanking kit. You have an AFN engine so you won't get the CEL and the engine will get cleaner air. You should remove the inlet manifold and clean it with brake cleaner if you blank the EGR. I used a very expensive 6mm pellet from a child's air pistol to delete my EGR.

[JMR1]

Used a 6mm pellet from a childs airgun.. well at least it was quick, and the EGR did not suffer, I'm sure......

[zollaf]

you will not fail any mot test either as they only test for smoke levels. whilst at it, remove the cat as well which by now will be partially blocked and costing mpg. so with no cat (its not actually a cat, so doesn't come under the mot rules) and no egr , your engine will be running more efficeiently with lower emissions and more mpg, so its a win win both for you and the environment.

[defever]

Good morning!

And thanks all for your tip! So, it looks like I'll be tackling the turbo clean, EGR delete, intake manifold clean, and cat removal in near future... That's proper mechanic business stuff to me!

So, one step at a time.

EGR delete: I can see that there are an abundance of cheap "blanking" plates out there. Like this one:

tn_IMG_2234.jpg
(image taken from tdiclub.com: The 1998 B5 Passat TDI (one of 2 stateside?) - Page 6 - TDIClub Forums. Great thread this one)

Any suggestions on where to get a good blanking plates (e.g. not eBay, unless eBay ones are good enough for their purposes)?

Is it a simple removal of the EGR and blanking the holes on the intake and exhaust manifolds?
And to block the vacuum hose that's connected to the EGR valve, stuff a BB pellet in the hose and reconnect to N18, is this correct?
Anything else to look out for?
Can I "minimise" EGR on VCDS Lite?

I will begin with this and the next phase is to remove the intake manifold for cleaning.

[zollaf]

in a nutshell thats it. you can make the plates or buy the ebay ones, never had a bad one from ebay, but do measure the space between the bolts as some do vary.

[defever]

That's a relief to hear Zollaf, thank you.

Just found this one from darkside developments:

Darkside Developments - EGR Blanking Plate (for Turbo EGR Port)

They seem to do some serious mods... I'll measure the spacing and get the right one soon!

[Doctle Odd]

Pull off the vacuum pipe at the EGR and place a small ball bearing etc against the metal pipe. A little dab of grease or silicone will hold it in place while you slide the vacuum pipe on again. EGR deleted and No spannering needed!
When the council were doing work on my road they threw a "men at work" sign into my garden, I made a few blanking plates and a few other things out if it, 1.5mm galvanised steel

[defever]

Quick update:

Blanking plate ordered, had a chat to the seller on eBay and he's going to send me an aluminium plate for the intake and steel for the exhaust. I chatted about what I have in plan and he mentioned that de-cat is now illegal since 2014, as MOT regulation changed.

Is it illegal now to remove catalytic converter or diesel particulate filter (DPF)?
Which part of the MOT inspection that makes the removal of cat fail the test, hence illegal?

A technical clarification would be very much helpful regarding de-cat so that I can understand what the current MOT regulation is.

[zollaf]

you have neither a cat or a dpf. it is illegal to remove the cat from a petrol vehicle where a cat test is required to pass the mot. this stops people passing on lpg and then polluting on petrol. you don't require anything to pass a smoke test and to pass euro 4 or whatever it was when your car was built does not require a dpf, which you dont have anyway. what you have was fitted voluntarily by some manufacturers.