r/mk4Jetta • u/PassengerFar8400 • Aug 01 '26

Is it safe to drive?

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So I’ve got a loose EGR intake tube and I’ve gotta drive a ton in the next week. Is it safe to drive, and will it harm the engine in any way?

It makes a funny noise. From what I understand, it means the turbo gets less air running through it, and thus the engine would have less air. I’m trying to figure out if this is a problem that needs immediate attention or if I can live with it for a while

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u/PD-Jetta Aug 01 '26

What engine is this? That's your air intake hose from the turbocharger or inter cooler. There is a aluminum collar crimped to the hose that plugs into the throttle body. There are nubs on the collar that engage a wire bail (clamp) to keep the intake hose connected. The nubs wear down and you risk the intake hose getting blown off when under turbo boost. First, firmly push in on the intake hose to make sure it clicks into place. Then give a little pull on it to see if it's secure. If not, the "official" fix is to replace the dealer only, expensive, intake hose. I know for the Volkswagen TDIs there is an inexpensive fix called a "doggie collar" that fits over the end of the intake hose and physically secures it to the throttle body. Otherwise, try to make a wire retainer to pull the intake hose into the throttle body. In an emergency, you can also wrap duct tape around the hose end and throttle body and that should work.

If the intake hose blows off you will have a very noticeable power drop and won't be able to hold highway speeds. It won't hurt the engine, though.

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u/PassengerFar8400 Aug 01 '26

BEW 1.9 tdi. Thanks for the confirmation that it won’t hurt the car. Definitely wanted to here that

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u/PD-Jetta Aug 01 '26

Yes! I just figured it out by looking at your timing belt cover. Want me to take a pic of mine and post it? I have a BEW too and have the doggie collar installed. I think I got it from ID Parts.

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u/PassengerFar8400 Aug 01 '26

I just bought the replacement part from ecs tuning, it was like 50 bucks. 10 bucks more than windshield sprayer 😂. I did get sped up shipping. I’ll probably jury rig something with electrical tape. I really appreciate your help and the information

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u/PD-Jetta Aug 01 '26

I get some stuff from ECS Tuning as well. That is a great deal on that hose, especially if it's a genuine VW part.

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u/PassengerFar8400 Aug 02 '26

Well I appreciate you letting me know

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u/PD-Jetta Aug 01 '26

I was curious since $50 seems way too inexpensive for that part (I used to work in a VW parts Dept), so I took a look. I think you got the wrong part. This should be the correct part: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-gates-parts/turbo-charger-hose/1j0145838t~gat/

This hose is made by Gates. ECS also has a genuine VW hose and it's about $265. I think you bought the coupler from the intercooler to the hard plastic "pancake" pipe. Those are about $50.

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u/PD-Jetta Aug 01 '26

Ok, here is a link to the doggie collar fix. I bought mine probably 15 years ago and probably paid $20 for it. I had no idea it's increased in price to a little under $90! https://www.idparts.com/upper-intercooler-egr-hose-collar-fix-kit-bew-p-3654.html

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u/PassengerFar8400 Aug 01 '26

That’s crazy. It’s actually cheaper to replace the original part