What does this sensor do?

[tbones]

Hey gang,

Trying to keep my mind off of everything else going on out there in the world, I am playing with my Tdi motors again.

This is a picture off my 97 sedan, but I also have it in my 1Z powered Vanagon.

I am in the process of trying to fabricate a better air cleaner than the crappy K&N one that came with the van when I purchased it.
In order to make room for The air cleaner,
I may need to remove the pipe that connects to the turbo. On that pipe is a sensor, it is where the EGR valve on the valve cover sends the oily air intake to be burned.

Can somebody tell me what it does, and what would happen if I delete that sensor?

F920F612-4CA4-4EE1-81EE-4060B645E508.jpeg

• tbones
• Jan 13, 2021
• 1

Sensor on 1Z intake

DF2DE29A-D5BD-4746-82D9-C37448D5A4AE.jpeg

• tbones
• Jan 13, 2021

Sensor on 1Z intake

Thanks everybody
Please stay safe and healthy!

regards
Steve

 

[KLXD]

Not a sensor. It's a heater to keep the crankcase vent from icing up. Nuttin to do with the EGR.

 

[Mongler98]

Its useless. It's a small heater to keep the frost low from ccv gasses from becoming ice and hitting the turbo fins and causing damage.

 

[oilhammer]

It is not useless. Ask BMW.

 

[Mongler98]

Well.... lol it has a use. Just ..... its needed so that VW can sell in all areas including the north pole lol.
Of you have it, leave it plugged in but if you like I have a custom intake to a bigger turbo, dont worry about it. Especially if you have a oil catch can.

 

[oilhammer]

The oil catch can mess can freeze solid, too. They are typically even more likely to, since people usually mount them far away from any available engine heat.

But since diesels don't burn as much fuel, they don't make as much water. So even with higher (normal) crankcase pressure potential, the amount of "freezable" content in the breather is probably pretty low. I've never heard of nor seen a TDI have an issue with that at least, and these are pretty popular in colder areas (Canada), so... chances are it'll never really get much use for a lot of people.

I have seen several of the added on nonsense cans on TDIs freeze up, though. But when this happens they seem to just leak (or in one case, simply explode) and make an oil mess all over. Crankcase ventilation seems to be one of those things that a lot of people overthink, and find solutions for problems that don't really exist.

Now some VAG gas engines, on the other hand.... yeah, problems DO exist there. But diesels, not so much.

 

[KLXD]

Its useless. It's a small heater to keep the frost low from ccv gasses from becoming ice and hitting the turbo fins and causing damage.

I don't see how it could do much much good once the vapors actually enter the intake stream. They're going to turn to snow in there anyway.

It's a heater to keep the crankcase vent from icing up.

 

[tbones]

Hi all
Thanks for the 411 on this.
the PO installed a LARGE catch can, and it leaked. Does the 1Z really need this? Is it bad to just burn that oil through the stock system where the oil vents into the intake pipe?

would having the motor sit at 50* as it does in the Vanagon cause any extra problems?

Another thought:
The old 1.6 diesels had a plastic oil deflector just under the valve cover to help deflect oil from getting thrown out of the PCV valve, is that a useful item on a 1Z motor? Could I modify a 1,6 deflector to fit?

thanks again!
Steve

 

[oilhammer]

The oil deflector is made on to the inside of the valve cover on that engine.