DPF blues

[Transporter]

...exactly, I had to recently replace the DPF sensor in our Touareg V6TDI and was quite amazed how low were the deposits in the DPF when checked with VCDS, thanks to frequent use of Moreys Diesel Smoke Killer and BP fuel. The senosr was the one of the first ones that used to fail.

[Greg Roles]

BP ultimate or Caltex Vortex.
507 level oils, or 504 if not PD, you want virtually 0% oil ash as this clogs up DPF's.
Moreys smoke killer definately extends the time between regens
All PD DPF TDI's have that dodgey pressure sensor, VW now list a revised part and you can't buy the old one.
On fitting the new pressure sensor it must be adapted. VCDS does that too.
I use the Ross Tech VCDS cable all the time to check and force regens when it suits me, rather than wait for the car. Absolutley recommended.
Avoid 1000-1700rpm where possible, where it's sooting the most.

[bluey]

BP ultimate or Caltex Vortex.

I would have said BP Ultimate Diesel when it had a cetane improver on launch. Since BP deleted the cetane improver in 2010, all you get that's worthwhile in a claytons "premium" diesel from Caltex or BP is an injector cleaner. Unless you are lucky to live in the Hunter region and get Caltex Vortex with 2% biodiesel added.

Reducing the smoke and extending time between regens should also reduce ultimate ash loading in the DPF, which means longer until the DPF has to be replaced.

The computer recommends changing up at low rpm for improved economy. So in the 1000-1700rpm range, you are recommending only using a light throttle, or sport mode for those with DSGs.

[Transporter]

The regeneration will not happen on short trips when you drive gently. I used the S mode in our Touareg and went through the hills, timed 20 minutes and turned back home. It regenerated nicely.

If you need Cetane improver, Amsoil has good one. You need to find the Amsoil distributor in your area.

[bluey]

Transporter, I thought you posted some numbers on your DPF somewhere? (Or was I thinking of another forum.)

Anyway, been playing with VCDS. Here are numbers from our Yeti TDI with 10,000km on the clock:

 283097 m   Particle filter; kilometers since last regeneration 154
   0.00 l   Particle filter; oil ash volume 156
  16.93 g   Particle filter; soot mass calculated 158
   2.13 g   Particle filter; soot mass measured 159
  25099 s   Particle filter; time since last regeneration 160

How does the computer calculate soot mass vs measuring??

TDIclub members seem to get consistently about 1mL ash per 1,000 miles.
Clean Diesel DPF Data Collection Thread - TDIClub Forums

[Greg Roles]

Pressure difference across the fore and aft pressure sensor. As it loads up, the pressure changes. It also "calculates" how much soot is theoretically in there from your kms and driving pattern - ie EGT temps. I have always found them to be incredibly close.

[bluey]

Does the engine have to be running or does the computer remember the numbers??

[jazd]

Nah it remembers it, pretty certain that even if you disconnect the power it still hangs onto the numbers. It must have flash storage on board the ECU for this sort of thing.

[bluey]

So can I attribute the low soot and ash counts to using cetane improver regularly to reduce diesel smoke?

[GolfWagon]

Just to close things off, thought I should report that we have formally thrown in the towel on this car. Traded it in for a bit of reliability.

Apart from the frustration of poor customer service not having the car for months with the dual mass flywheel & manual transmission both being replaced under warranty (after a lot of toing & froing). The killer was when the car went into another of its regular dpf regenerations and lost so much power that my wife was stuck at the lights, unable to move off safely.

We clearly shouldn't have bought a diesel for city driving. And now have gone for the relatively boring, but frugal and reputably most long term reliable option of a Prius. Surprisingly good to drive & we got the new 7 seater version that is really versatile, and it is smaller that our old golf wagon (exterior dimensions) yet is roomy for all on the inside.

The golf was more fun, but overall the Prius V has enough oomph and we find a much more enjoyable & useful car overall. Just hope it is reliable & lasts for 10+ years as we'd want.

Hopefully down the track the diesels are able to sort out the low emission piece a bit better for city driving, as I do miss the diesel torque up a hill. But am steering clear of diesels for our use for now.

[bluey]

When I looked into Hybird vs diesel, it came down to a $1500 DPF or a $2500 battery as the major long-term expensive predictable failure.

Fingers crossed.

[Diesel_vert]

DPF life obviously depends on usage, but faults cropping up on a 2010 model that has covered just over 50 000 km suggests some sort of electrical, communication or component failure (which may or may not have resulted in a physically blocked DPF unit) but we'll never know.

Without knowing the full story, I'll go out on a limb and say, had they the prerequisite technical competence to fix it ASAP with a focus on customer satisfaction, you might still be driving in a VW instead of a competitor's car.

It doesn't matter how technically superior the product may be - if the aftersales support isn't there to back it up for something as complex as the modern automobile, it's as good as useless.

When I looked into Hybird vs diesel, it came down to a $1500 DPF or a $2500 battery as the major long-term expensive predictable failure.

Fingers crossed.

A brand new DPF unit from an Australian VW dealer usually costs around $3000 depending on the model (not including removal and fitting costs), but with a bit of online nous, I suspect one could obtain a refurbished unit for a lower price if imported from the UK or Europe. Physically or chemically cleaning out the filter would probably be cheaper again.

Incidentally, Toyota's warranty on the battery for hybrid vehicles is 8 years or 160 000 km (whichever comes first).

[bluey]

...It doesn't matter how technically superior the product may be - if the aftersales support isn't there to back it up for something as complex as the modern automobile, it's as good as useless.
[...]
Incidentally, Toyota's warranty on the battery for hybrid vehicles is 8 years or 160 000 km (whichever comes first).

Both German and Japanese cars appear to be well-engineered. Not so sure if the ones assembled outside the mother countries are quite as good.

I'm not ever expecting local dealer mechanics to be as fastidious as Germans and Japanese. So have to hope that someone with an eye on customer service cares in the local head office if we have lemon-like problems.

I tried to let the local VW dealer know about a factory fault in door pressing/fitting on 9N3 Polos - which have a bent right rear door top front corner lip leaving a gap in the door seal with the frame which makes noise. Dealer service manager couldn't even see the problem, despite me pointing out is was on ours and the ones in the dealership.

I looked up the toyota battery warranty when looking at Priuses. So can almost safely bet the battery will die not long after 8 years or 160,000 km. Will the battery cost chew up all of the fuel savings??

[Greg Roles]

DPF's are great and pretty unobtrusive when they work, and a nightmare if they decide not to. The replacement cost is laughable considering what VW pay from China where they are all pretty much made. But figure yourself lucky, recently heard Volvo want $7k for theirs....

Given how good smaller petrol cars are on consumption these days, I'd not suggest a diesel for inner city work.

[Diesel_vert]

I'm not ever expecting local dealer mechanics to be as fastidious as Germans and Japanese. So have to hope that someone with an eye on customer service cares in the local head office if we have lemon-like problems.

Hope being the operative word, yes.

I tried to let the local VW dealer know about a factory fault in door pressing/fitting on 9N3 Polos - which have a bent right rear door top front corner lip leaving a gap in the door seal with the frame which makes noise. Dealer service manager couldn't even see the problem, despite me pointing out is was on ours and the ones in the dealership.

Not surprising, but it's a shame nonetheless.

I looked up the toyota battery warranty when looking at Priuses. So can almost safely bet the battery will die not long after 8 years or 160,000 km. Will the battery cost chew up all of the fuel savings??

One is entitled to interpret it that way, yes.

However, a 10 minute browse on PriusChat.com through Google search would indicate many owners don't expect to replace their battery packs until they reach mileages in excess of 150 000 miles (240 000 km), despite the stated warranty coverage and despite some claims of replacements earlier than (what they) expected.

Many cars are also claimed to have done over 200 000 miles (320 000 km) before requiring replacement, and some even further than that - 250 000 miles or 400 000 km!

Either way, the owners seem to have a refreshing amount of confidence (misplaced or otherwise) in their product.

DPF's are great and pretty unobtrusive when they work, and a nightmare if they decide not to. The replacement cost is laughable considering what VW pay from China where they are all pretty much made. But figure yourself lucky, recently heard Volvo want $7k for theirs....

Given how good smaller petrol cars are on consumption these days, I'd not suggest a diesel for inner city work.

IMO, if the manufacturers were much more reasonable in DPF replacement or refurbishment costs, or actually made them serviceable, I think there wouldn't be such a cloud of owner's anxiety over the issue.

I sometimes think that creating confidence and certainty among customers is as important as the product itself.