Well when it rains it pours. This code popped up on way home from work. Kinda makes sense as I noticed the antifreeze was low on last inspection oil change but I’ve never looked at it since I stopped going to dealer when the 120k warranty ran out.

anyone have any experience with this. YouTube states coolant shut off valve but looks like a visit to someone more experienced may be needed if I have to remove the top of engine.

here is the vagcom error.

18173 - Exhaust Gas Recirculation Cooler Bypass Control Circuit
P245B 00 [237) - Implausible Signal
[Exhaust Gas Recirculation Cooler Bypass ControlCircuit Range
MIL ON - Confirmed
- Tested Since Memory Clear
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00000001
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 1
Mileage: 235475 km
Date 2022 03 16
Time: 05:59 45
Engine RPM: 1922.00 /min
Normed load value: 72 5 %
Vehicle speed: 116 km/h
Coolant temperature: 63 °C
Intake air temperature: 5 °C
Ambient air pressure: 990 mbar
Voltage terminal 30: 14.560 V
Unlearning counter according OBD: 40
EGR Clg t Egr Ds De Mon Heat Avg: 134.2 K
EGR CIg dm Egr Mon Heat Avg: 60.8 kg/h
EGR Cg t Turbn Us Mon Avg: 418 2 °C
Air t EGR CIr Ds: 263 5 °C
Air mass: actual value (mg/stroke): 852.7 mg/stroke
EGR Vacuum Regulator Solen val.: activation: 93 59 %
Outside temperature
11 6 90



thanks for any help.

 

Implausible Signal implies maybe an electrical issue...but that could have been caused by coolant leaking onto wires / connectors. I'm sure someone will chime in with helpful advice. I'm new to TDI ownership and have a lot to learn yet...

 

Update. So while driving 55 miles on cruise at 75mph to work one way, I looked in mirror and after passing a car, I noticed a white cloud behind me. Happens every day so far. Checking the coolant level again last weekend and was fine. I’ve added one gallon in the last 4 months I believe.
No white sludge in oil but getting ready to change oil next weekend.
I’ve also noticed a film on the back of the car not normal.
during the day I do not see the cloud. I did try to see if I could change the setting in the backup camera to keep it on while driving 75 mph to see what’s happening back there but can only extend it to 20km.
I’ve purchased a bore scope and saw some dark gunk(assuming oil) in the front of the valley. I just downloaded the erwin docs and now think I know where to look for that cooler and shutoff valve to see if anything stands out without removing the intake.

My thought is if I venture into that space, I plan on replacing the cooler, black plastic cover in front of that, the shutoff valve and seal on the bottom of the oil cooler plate. Also the intake seals.
Any thoughts on 1. Can a tinkerer like myself do this job? 2. Anything I should look at before diving in to diagnose the issue? 3. How much time should I plan on taking to do the job?

Scared to take it to dealer or Indy as they may change things that are not the problem. If they are going to just keep changing parts to find the problem, I think I can do that. On the other hand if you think it better to take somewhere I’m to the point I just want to not worry about it.

Thanks for any advise.

PS. The CEL went out on that code posted in thread.

 

You have approx 146k miles on car. It's showing classic symptoms of the EGR Cooler failing; it's been leaking for a good while now, which has taken out the oil cooler plate seals (sits on top of engine cases below the EGR Cooler), where the leaked coolant gathers on top of the engine cases. It's a big PITA job as a whole lot of bits have got to be removed from the car, and you'd be best to replace all of the old coolant hoses, seals, gaskets, etc., all the way down to the cases if you plan on keeping all that emissions gear operational. The alternative is to do a delete on the car and say adios to the EGR Cooler, and perhaps some other bits too, and get it tuned/deleted. You still have to repair the oil cooler plate seals & gaskets, etc., either way, and there will be costs incurred no matter which path you choose.

My '15 was just in under warranty, and they found coolant on the cases (no oil), and quoted me for the oil cooler plate reseal, with a base estimate approx $2200 US given. That price is mainly labor (10 hours) doesn't include replacing the EGR Cooler or EGR Coolant Bypass Valve parts, or other related bits; the EGR cooler is a fairly expensive part to source. They ended up doing the oil cooler plate reseal under warranty, but didn't replace any of the EGR Cooler related parts, which was where it was leaking coolant from, and so it is still leaking coolant onto the engine cases, but more rapidly than before they worked on it....shocking, I know. You could pay some indie shop, and it will be expensive. You can do it yourself and plan on it taking a while, or you can consider if doing the delete & tune makes sense for you and where you live, or not.

 

I’ve been wondering about the delete and always said after the warranty expired. I live in NY so I have to research if it will pass inspection with a delete kit.

I’m going to start pricing out the parts for the EGR stuff. Glad I downloaded most all the the info off ERWIN to help. I was able to get the back struts done today with only one hiccup. Broke one of the 4 studs on top of the strut to hold it to the mount. I had to put it back together and drive until a new one comes in. Took me 5 hours tho. I struggled on the first one but got a routine for the second one. Even swapped over the springs myself. Monroe said it too hard to for them to do it. I just marked everything to line back up and worked like a champ.

Autozone tool rental!!

 

I’ve been looking for the egr cooler and other parts. The delete would allow me to pass inspection. So I guess I need to get this fixed and soon vacate NY.

Followup Question. I still see the white smoke but nothing while idling. I have put a scope down there a few times. Cannot see any antifreeze in the v. Do you think it still is the egr cooler? Anything else I should be checking?

 

You said you have a strange 'film' showing on the rear of your car, which is abnormal. I'd see if it still has any of the characteristic smell/odor or other characteristic of antifreeze. If you see a lot of white, powdery type deposits on the tailpipes, etc. that's from an overzealous Adblue system, not antifreeze.

There are other members better qualified to help you on this issue, but I'd be leaning towards either the EGR Cooler has sprung a leak internally, or you've got a head-gasket leak; both would allow coolant to get into the exhaust, but you wouldn't really see it all the time if either of those leaks were small...mainly it shows under duress/heavier system demands. There are other threads on here that discuss head gasket leaks in great detail, and how they can be difficult, at times, to diagnose/trace on this car, depending on the actual outward symptoms the car shows you, if any. There are specific tests/observations you can do/make for a head-gasket leak determination.

 

So I think I am going to change out the egr cooler and all related gaskets along with the oil cooler and gaskets. I have downloaded what I think i need from ERWIN. Do you guys have any places you like to get your parts from? I usually use FCPEuro but they do not have a detailed list of what comes in the oil cooler and did not have the egr cooler instock. Im trying to compile a list of parts I need to make sure i have everything when I tear it down to replace the two items.