Looking for info on the EGR cooler - is the coolant flow required ?

[JohnTF]

So I am wondering if either side of the coolant [ in , out ] can be blocked off - will the engine cool with out issue by blocking off ?
Going to be removing intake & exhaust manifolds to repair a exhaust manifold leak - so considering eleminating the EGR cooler ?
Maybe a link to a cooling system diagram ?
Thanks

 

[Delasangre]

The coolant system goes into the EGR cooler, into the firewall through the heater core, and out back to the cooling system. If you delete the EGR you MUST connect the 2 coolant hoses or you will not get hot water to the heater. I deleted the whole cooler off the back of my engine when doing my delete and I used a simple 3/4 inch 90 degree elbow from amazon and the 2 factory hose clamps. It was a pain but fairly easy once the cooler was out.

Cooling System 101

All Volkswagen's use only one kind of antifreeze or coolant, no matter what engine propels them - gas or diesel. VW calls this red-colored coolant "G-12" and mixes all cars shipped to the U.S. with a 40% solution of antifreeze and those going to Canada get a 60% for better protection. VW's...

forums.tdiclub.com

 

[oilhammer]

You can just buy a single hose and go straight from the engine to the core.

1J0-122-157-DJ

You'll also need to remove the vent T and replace it with a straight fitting.

If there is nothing "wrong" with the EGR cooler (and there never is), even if the EGR is tuned out, there really is no reason to have to remove it. They can just be along for the ride and not hinder anything at all. Other TDIs do actually have reasons to remove the cooler as they can leak, but the ALHs don't. I've never ever seen a single one fail.

 

[McGuirk]

You can just buy a single hose and go straight from the engine to the core.

1J0-122-157-DJ

You'll also need to remove the vent T and replace it with a straight fitting.

If there is nothing "wrong" with the EGR cooler (and there never is), even if the EGR is tuned out, there really is no reason to have to remove it. They can just be along for the ride and not hinder anything at all. Other TDIs do actually have reasons to remove the cooler as they can leak, but the ALHs don't. I've never ever seen a single one fail.

I will say on the CR's it is really nice having that contraption off the back of the engine. Makes for easy turbo replacements and better visibility for inspections. Was a mess to pull off though. 90deg barb fitting and had the turbo inlet that connects to the EGR cooler welded with an aluminum plug. I feel like it was worth it but it definitely doesn't hurt to leave it.

 

[oilhammer]

Well I'm not sure how frequent turbo replacements are, but I'd imagine an evaporator core replacement would be easier with the dash out of the way, too.

 

[Delasangre]

Oh my bad, I thought we were talking about the CR, I have a 2011. I see the OP has a 2003.

 

[JohnTF]

Well for access to working in the area --- and have more space , less failure - leaking hose or what ever , there are a multiple of small reasons , many may not be a single reason to do ?
But replacing intake exhaust gasgets [ who ever worked on this in the past left off / fell off a couple of the fasteners - now exhaust leaks ] .
I can only afford to do a little at a time for improvements / mods - so will be digging into more in the future , larger exhaust etc. so not having to work around cooler / coolant drain etc.
Thanks for replys