15a. Nearly shut, left why sound (7) E _ O _ E _ Y
I'm pretty sure all adjoining clues and letters are correct (you never know).
Only word I can get to fit is ESOTERY, but I can't get a definite definition or meaning - or how the heck it fits the clue
1d. Put an end to crower valve (8) S _ O _ C _ _ _
I've got SCOTCHED, which gives me the first letter E in 15a. But again I've no rationale as to how it fits the clue besides scotched can mean to have stopped something.