EGR blocking problems
 

I own a 2.0s Diesel which is fairly high mileage at about 130k.

More recently I have been having trouble with idle dropping then picking back up and also (for anyone who has experience of petrol cars) a symptom I can best describe as condenser failure whereby the thing tries to cut out under acceleration but will eventually pick up albeit rather jerkily.

So...

I removed the EGR valve (vacuum type) and cleaned it with diesel and a tooth brush).

Whilst the egr was off I also made up a small blanking plate (as can be found on eBay)

I then re fitted the egr both with and without the blanking plate.

Symptoms as follows...

Without blanking plate. Very little difference, so I'd assume valve is still not working properly.

With blanking plate. Car idles smoothly and runs very well low down but has very little acceleration and throttle movement has little effect above about a third opening. feels very much like the turbo isn't cutting in?

I should perhaps add that I'm not getting any fault codes and air/fuel filters have been change recently. Also, I've re connected all pipes and electrical connectors properly (I've checked three times now). It's not a Euro four engine so I didn't drill the little hole in the plate..

Is there something else I need to do? Possibly a different fault elsewhere?

Any help advice gratefully received.

Are you getting any smoke or strange noises?

No smoke (certainly not like it used to before blocking the egr) and no new strange noises.

I would have thought I'd get some sort of error code for any turbo problems???

Very confusing.

I would too. Lack of codes aside my prime suspects would be;
1)a split intercooler hose (or possibly just the jubilee clips needing replacement) but there is usually a wooshing sound at higher revs and a bit of smoke.
2) Turbo actuator - If you do a search there's a post that describes the operation of the actuator arm.
I would expect a code though, is it possible the reader isn't picking them up?