Advice on CFCA T5.1 TDI400 - potential EGR issue

[ironduke]

Hi everyone,


I’m looking at purchasing a T5.1 TDI400 Highline with a CFCA engine - manufactured in November 2011.

Obviously concerned about the cost of an EGR replacement or catastrophic engine failure down the track. Thanks for all the info on this forum.

Should I leave this purchase and keep looking, or does it seem ok given it's late 2011?

I’ve had the owner take a photo of the EGR plate - see attached. Doesn’t seem to have a suffix per others - is that odd? It does indicate the unit was manufactured in October 2011.

• NO oil usage in between services
• Hasn't had DPF issues
• Single owner from new with 210,000kms
• Serviced at 6mth intervals (initially at VW, then a VW specialist)
• Mixture of highway and local driving

There was a coolant leak earlier this year, but that seems minor. Receipt for that repair attached too.

Keen to hear all your input? Thanks

[kamold]

Off the top of my head the E revision of this part is the one that finally resolved the issues of internal heat sink material (or similar) falling apart and getting pulled into the lubrication system.
If it's the original part with no suffix they are susceptible to spontaneous engine self combustion events.
That said it's not something that is expected to happen but it was a known fault design and I've heard of a lot of engines going kaput due to the failure.
If engine is currently fine you can always replace the EGR cooler with the newer rev part for piece of mind.

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

[ironduke]

Thanks kamold.

I had a diagnostic done today and the ERG fault showed up...so I think the purchase is a no-go!

ERG cooler definitely hasn't been replaced and no way of knowing how long that fault's been there.

The hunt continues...

[Kombi]

Hi, the revision egr is D, but there are still reports of issues or failures with the D egr, I had the issue on my 2012, engine replaced under with vw goodwill. had FSH, I buy would suggest buy one with very low km and get the egr replaced or “fixed”, make �� sure no oil use and good compression, alternatively buy a cheap one and fit a new engine.

[Markee]

Compression test will confirm damage of bores due to EGR breakdown/fault. If good compression, then blank/delete EGR and remap and should be fine provided has full service history.
This is what has been done to my van and I am about to tick over 200,000kms with no oil usage on a 2012 123kW CFCA.

[Kombi]

Mine had good compression yet consumed 2L/1kkm The other issues mentioned with cfca is valve stem seal and stuck oil rings.
I expected low compression but was surprised with good compression, maybe low compression indicates those engines with scored cylinder walls only ��*♂️

[ironduke]

Thanks Markee and Kombi. Markee I did read your thread with interest!

This van already has over 211,000km and needs other work doing such as front brakes, full set of tyres, and timing belt due in 40k - I'm just not willing to invest that much so soon!

Patience is not a virtue of mine, but hopefully the van market will be less competitive with summer coming to a close.

I am also considering buying another T4 and putting the spare budget into kitting that out as a standalone camper! Although the T5 driving experience is what I'm really after...