Jetta 2009 TDi - Glow plug + Exaust Lights

[lucca]

Hi Everyone,

I hope that someone can help me out, my 2009 TDi Jetta (77kW, 1.6, 110000KMs) has been giving me grief for the last couple of months. I first get Particulate Filter light in the dashboard and before I get a chance to do anything about it I then get Engine emission malfunction light (solid) with glow plug light flash and engine goes into limp mode.

Last time it happened I found there was too much oil in the engine so I took it to the dealer they drained some oil and ran active re-gen on the DPF which cleared the light. After two weeks it has happened again. I rang the dealer they said they are very busy the first available booking is 3 weeks away. so I have to wait, they said do not drive it tow it to the dealership in 3 weeks time and they will have a look.

Because of my circumstances its not practical for me to be without the car for 3 weeks.

Is there something I can do to myself to resolve this issue. I am thinking to buy the VAG tool but do not much about it. Do I need one ?

please help....

[Guest001]

You need a different dealer would be a good start

[Ryeman]

It's out of warranty so you're free as a bird .........go elsewhere

[dinot81]

Too much oil in diesel engine with dpf is known as "oil thinning" and can be pretty bad for the engine, worst case fatal. That only happens to dpf diesel's where they are only driven very short distances which causes the dpf to quickly fill up. Engine (while cold) tries to initiate a regen by injecting additional fuel to raise the temperature to be able to comete regen. If you drive a short distance and you interrupt that process, unburnt fuel is left inside the combustion chamber on when you restart next time, that fuel is pullled down by oil and keeps building up oil level which thinns it out and starts to lose its lubrication and will wear out engine parts. The reason fuel is left in the combustion chamber due to cold cylinder walls as diesel engines need longer to warm up vs petrol and diesel evaporates at 80 degrees and up. I have read about stories from overseas where engines have comitted suicide with less than 10,000kms due this issue. It revvs itself to death and cannot be stopped even if you turn the key off. Be careful. If you drive short distances, take it at least once a fortnight on motorways to warm up and can regenerate the dpf.

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[dinot81]

And the worst part on this is, even if you have warranty, likely not to be covered. The car's manual states that diesel engines should not be driven short distances and if the case is that, car to be taken for longer drives. People overseas with above mentioned story have been fighting car manufactures in courts for years as owners have not been told about consequences and no winners as yet.

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[Guest001]

Too much oil in diesel engine with dpf is known as "oil thinning" and can be pretty bad for the engine, worst case fatal. That only happens to dpf diesel's where they are only driven very short distances which causes the dpf to quickly fill up. Engine (while cold) tries to initiate a regen by injecting additional fuel to raise the temperature to be able to comete regen. If you drive a short distance and you interrupt that process, unburnt fuel is left inside the combustion chamber on when you restart next time, that fuel is pullled down by oil and keeps building up oil level which thinns it out and starts to lose its lubrication and will wear out engine parts. The reason fuel is left in the combustion chamber due to cold cylinder walls as diesel engines need longer to warm up vs petrol and diesel evaporates at 80 degrees and up. I have read about stories from overseas where engines have comitted suicide with less than 10,000kms due this issue. It revvs itself to death and cannot be stopped even if you turn the key off. Be careful. If you drive short distances, take it at least once a fortnight on motorways to warm up and can regenerate the dpf.

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Old school diesels would do the same especially if they blow a turbo or similar and start sucking the oil out of the sump.

When driving buses we were told if it started smoking big time get it off the road and turn it off before its too late. Had a Scania do it and they have 15l in the sump so turned it off pretty quick.
I havent read in my manual about the short drives and it would depend on the definition of short I would think. However the best way to drive a diesel is get it hot and keep it hot FOREVER. One of our buses was driven 17 hours a day and never got cold and did over 900,000k with nothing done to the engine or injectors or anything apart from services.

[dinot81]

It can happen to petrol engines, petrol evaporates 60 degrees and lot easier to warm up so not as sensitive

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[dinot81]

Old school diesels would do the same especially if they blow a turbo or similar and start sucking the oil out of the sump.

When driving buses we were told if it started smoking big time get it off the road and turn it off before its too late. Had a Scania do it and they have 15l in the sump so turned it off pretty quick.
I havent read in my manual about the short drives and it would depend on the definition of short I would think. However the best way to drive a diesel is get it hot and keep it hot FOREVER. One of our buses was driven 17 hours a day and never got cold and did over 900,000k with nothing done to the engine or injectors or anything apart from services.

From what I managed to research, short drive, anything less than 5kms. Main contributor to oil thinning and clogged dpf's. I remember reading in my Tiguan manual about it, does not mention any consequences and dealer's wont tell you when you buy a diesel car.

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[Ryeman]

Mine takes 10 kms just to reach operating temperature.
Lots service techs say it's good to give the diesel a blast regularly - not sure if any official manufacturer recommendations have been sighted on this.
So my attitude is the less it consumes the less deposits.......on the basis that minimising the critical combustion temp (resulting in NOx peaks) means less work for the EGR valve and its cooler, so reduced fouling of it.......plus, the less fuel consumed the less particulates filtered.
I use mine only on longer country type trips........I'm retired )))))

[dinot81]

Mine takes 10 kms just to reach operating temperature.
Lots service techs say it's good to give the diesel a blast regularly - not sure if any official manufacturer recommendations have been sighted on this.
So my attitude is the less it consumes the less deposits.......on the basis that minimising the critical combustion temp (resulting in NOx peaks) means less work for the EGR valve and its cooler, so reduced fouling of it.......plus, the less fuel consumed the less particulates filtered.
I use mine only on longer country type trips........I'm retired )))))

Do you mean water or oil operating temp??? With diesels, oil will take longer than that. I live in Sydney and on winter nights after driving for about 17kms, oil temp sits just under 90 degrees (operating temp for mine is 97-9. I remember in my manual that if the car is used for short trips, it will require longer drives especially to regenerate the dpf. Also, my instructions say should the dpf light come up, it needs to be driven at least 70kph constantly to be able to regenerate itself. I personally don't agree with thrashing a car or driving it hard. I take mine on regular motorway drives and 100 or 110kph is sufficient to regenerate the dpf. Even country roads will do good. In the instructions, they recommend to take the car to its max speed but good luck here in Oz unless you drive it to NT. Full engine load (top speed) is the best way to do a regen but we can't afford that without risking your licence. I have done heaps of research on what the best way is to maintain it, many of it from German forums as well including the horror stories what NOT to do.

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[Ryeman]

Do you mean water or oil operating temp??? With diesels, oil will take longer than that. I live in Sydney and on winter nights after driving for about 17kms, oil temp sits just under 90 degrees (operating temp for mine is 97-9. I remember in my manual that if the car is used for short trips, it will require longer drives especially to regenerate the dpf. Also, my instructions say should the dpf light come up, it needs to be driven at least 70kph constantly to be able to regenerate itself. I personally don't agree with thrashing a car or driving it hard. I take mine on regular motorway drives and 100 or 110kph is sufficient to regenerate the dpf. Even country roads will do good. In the instructions, they recommend to take the car to its max speed but good luck here in Oz unless you drive it to NT. Full engine load (top speed) is the best way to do a regen but we can't afford that without risking your licence. I have done heaps of research on what the best way is to maintain it, many of it from German forums as well including the horror stories what NOT to do.

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Mine takes 10+ for the water temperature to reach normal temp and the minimum I do is 50+ kms.
I suspect the manufacturers don't want to suggest anything with regard to best running practice for fear of invoking even more questions let alone fears of issues potentially developing.
Best not scare the horses perhaps.

[gldgti]

you dont need to be concerned about a modern TDI engine 'running away'. They have throttle valves as part of the EGR system which can effectively shut off the air supply and prevent it - i.e. turning off the key will stop the engine. No need for scaremongering!

As to the OP's issue - it sounds very much like you have a DPF clogging issue, whether caused by sensor malfunction or your driving habits/usage case. It is certainly not ideal to use a modern DPF equipped diesel for lots of short trips without doing some reasonably evenly spaced longer ones too.

Try and get the car properly diagnosed asap.

as to manufacturers and suggested usage... doesnt anybody read their cars owners manuals? Every single VAG group car I've owned (from mk'1s to my latest '08 allroad) has had suggested driving tips in the owners manual. Its full of suggestions about how to drive and otherwise care for your car.