2.5 TD EGR Valve Questions

[Scatmancraig]

The EGR valve on my 2.5 TD has been disconnected.  It was like this when I bought it.  Why would someone do this?  I've no idea what disconnecting it actually does, but I'd be interested to learn.

On the same subject, I saw a 2.5 TD Estate in a field at Billing the other week, the EGR valve on that had been removed and replaced with a shiny piece of straight pipe.  So obviously there's a reason for doing this, why?

[RossPhim]

Better cold running and starting probably.

[TheBoy]

Dreadfully unreliable. Typical BMW stupidity I'm afraid.

[Scatmancraig]

I thought that might be the case. Does not having it connected affect the performance at all?

[aaronjb]

Emissions go up (but not tested ones) and economy will suffer slightly when it's removed or blanked (based on my experience with my old tractor).. not that economy was particularly brilliant to begin with

[Scatmancraig]

Emissions go up (but not tested ones) and economy will suffer slightly when it's removed or blanked (based on my experience with my old tractor).. not that economy was particularly brilliant to begin with

You're not wrong on the economy front.  I reckon it's about equal with the 3.0 petrol Carltons and Senators round town (my TD is auto).  I'm struggling to get above 25mpg on my commute to work (4.5 miles each way). It does seem to improve massively on a longer run though, as once the torque converter is locked, you're effectively in a solid drive with higher gearing (I think) than a manual.  It doesn't help that GM seemed to have fitted the TD with a more slippy torque converter, which I'm told was done deliberately to allow the turbo to boost more quickly.  Great idea, not, as it ruins the fuel consumption and makes having the diesel engine almost pointless!!