Vauxhall Corsa D/MK4 (1.2 petrol SXi) - Limp/EML/Oil

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Tue 7 May 2013 18:39
Vauxhall Corsa D/MK4 (1.2 petrol SXi) - Limp/EML/Oil - WoodsterT

Hi all,

I tried posting about this for help on the 'official' Corsa D forum but that's proven to be useless to get any form of reply/help, so I'm trying here!

I bought a 2009/59 Corsa last July from a Ford franchised dealer, they had assured my the car had been serviced however I have since seen no record of this being done in the service book (my own fault for not chasing it up/checking the book sooner.) - therefore I haven't had to look under the bonnet at all since owning it. When I mention about what I find when I look under my bonnet, you'll see why I'm skeptical that the dealer I bought the car from actually did a service.

About halfway into my 12 mile motorway drive to work this morning, my car went into Limp mode - completely out of the blue, didn't expect it to happen. I'd just started to accellerate back to 60 from the end of the 50mph roadworks zone and I could feel it stuttering, then the EML light came on (flashing) but soon disapppeared and the Service indicator came on (which I've been expecting to see around this point so I'm fine with that, I'm aware it was nearly due.)

Anwyay, got off the motorway pulled up in a side road and turned off/on. Car struggled to fire and I had to keep the revs up to prevent stalling, still struggling to pull off and drive. This time the EML light was flashing constantly, no service light. Odd. I got to a junction, however, and as I pulled out the throttle response came back to life and there was no EML light. Confused face by now. Pulled into work and I turned off/on and everything was fine - checked during lunch break, still fine.

Driving home: Happened within 5 minutes of driving and went into Limp mode again, this time the EML was on static - no flashing or service light. Managed to get home, turned off/on and it's still on static, no service light. I checked my engine bay and I've been delightfully greeted with a snapped breather hose and a filthy engine bay (literally everything is covered in brown/black gunk - I also noticed the engine cover was wet with what I assume is oil, right near the area of the oil cap.) - I can only assume this is oil residue from a leak? Could this be part of the problem?

I've read from other sources the issue is either the MAF or Lambda sensor, but I'm not remotely a car-minded person so I'm really lost here... I'd be forever grateful with some help on this? :)

Thank you, sorry for the long post.

Edited by WoodsterT on 07/05/2013 at 18:44

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Tue 7 May 2013 19:36
Vauxhall Corsa D/MK4 (1.2 petrol SXi) - Limp/EML/Oil - elekie&a/c doctor

Really can,t see this as a major issue.The car has developed a split breather hose which will cause the engine to run poorly and deposit oil residue over the engine.Get the hose replaced,top up with correct grade of oil,get the engine cleaned off and the eml reset.There is no maf sensor on these and a faulty lambda sensor will not cause the hose to split.hth

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Tue 7 May 2013 19:43
Vauxhall Corsa D/MK4 (1.2 petrol SXi) - Limp/EML/Oil - WoodsterT

Really can,t see this as a major issue.The car has developed a split breather hose which will cause the engine to run poorly and deposit oil residue over the engine.Get the hose replaced,top up with correct grade of oil,get the engine cleaned off and the eml reset.There is no maf sensor on these and a faulty lambda sensor will not cause the hose to split.hth

Thank you very much, as said I'm not remotely in the know when it concerns under the bonnet so I was just assuming it had one - thanks for clarifying. Is the limp mode thing anything to worry about or is that an automatic process when the EML is activated?

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Tue 7 May 2013 19:56
Vauxhall Corsa D/MK4 (1.2 petrol SXi) - Limp/EML/Oil - elekie&a/c doctor

A split breather hose will put the fuelling system out of control.The electronics will struggle to cope with any excess air entering the system.Get the system reset after repair and everthing should be ok.If it has lost a lot of oil,it may be a good idea to get the oil and filter changed,if you feel it has been overlooked previously.hth

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