Consequences of a faulty N80 valve

[andrewparker]

Hi guys, I could really do with some knowledge on this sorry subject.

As I detailed in another thread, my car went into an independent VW specialist because of the Exhaust Emissions warning light back in October. It was diagnosed as having a faulty N80 valve, and the part was replaced.

Soon after the emissions light came on again, and as a precaution I fitted a new charcoal canister and cleared the fault code.

Soon enough the light came on again and I booked the car in to VW who took the charcoal canister off, refitted it and then test drove the car. The car did not throw up any error codes and ran fine for approximately 50 miles before the light appeared again.

It has been in to VW today who claim the N80 is defective and is not clicking. I assume that had this been defective when they refitted the new charcoal canister this would have been detected.

This is the error code that is continually brought up:

16825/P0441/001089 - EVAP Emission Control Sys: Incorrect Flow

VW have advised that both the charcoal canister and the canister purge regulator valve are replaced again, but that the faulty N80 valve could have further damaged other parts of the engine. I still don't quite understand how both parts have been replaced, but could need replacing again. They claim that a faulty canister purge regulator valve can damage the charcoal canister.

So I don't really know where to go from here. I've spent a lot of money trying to rectify this situation already.

I've also had a new DV and PCV fitted during all this.

[Weston]

I continually get this code as well but have been told not to worry about it by VW. No light comes on.

[PDT]

Speak to a local independant vw specialist, main dealers answer to everything is to get you to spend loads on parts.

Alternatively, get the n80 replaced under warranty (should have a 12 month warranty) and let vw fit the charcoal canister on the understanding that they will refit the old parts and refund the cost of the new one if it doesnt fix the problem, this will leave you to just pay for the labour.

Or alternatively DIY fit the parts, both are simple enough.

[andrewparker]

VW are claiming that the Charcoal canister that they provided (I fitted it), could have been damaged by the faulty N80 valve (fitted by an Indy).

[PDT]

So a new VW supplied N80 killed a new vw supplied charcoal canister?

[andrewparker]

Yep, if that's even possible. I'd have thought if that was the case then having to replace the N80 (in the first instance) would automatically mean replacing the charcoal canister too.

[robby]

Hi Andrew - did you speak to Dougie at hudds VW? he was the 1 that sorted mine

He said if mine wasn't the canister then it would be the valve - it doesn't click all the time so is hard to see if it is kaput

My light would come on after 50 miles after being reset before the fault cured - canister worked on mine

[andrewparker]

Hi Andrew - did you speak to Dougie at hudds VW? he was the 1 that sorted mine

He said if mine wasn't the canister then it would be the valve - it doesn't click all the time so is hard to see if it is kaput

My light would come on after 50 miles after being reset before the fault cured - canister worked on mine

Hi Robby, Dougie was responsible for looking at the car, but when I asked to speak to him he wasn't available unfortunately.

To be honest VW Huddersfield have really disappointed me today, both with the service I received and their general attitude. There is clearly something at fault, however instead of investigating the cause their solution is to spend £260 replacing two parts which, by their own admission may or may not be faulty. They openly admitted that the N80 valve may have just been fitted incorrectly, however their answer to this is to replace it, rather than find out if it is actually defective. Advising that I replace a brand new charcoal filter that they supplied, as a precautionary measure, is madness. It could be in perfect working order.

I feel a strongly worded letter coming on...