Deisel Particulate Filter issues

[benno]

WTF.???

Anyhow, Ive never had the light come on once.
I sometimes feel the DPF doing its regen. Idles at 2000 instead of the usual 1800 whne stopped at lights

That's a pretty fast idle!

[Logzy]

That's a pretty fast idle!

800 & 1000 i meant. Dont know why i put 1800 & 2000
Corrected.

[Greg Roles]

It's Logzy's high stall in his DSG. He plays to win.

I'll post up the links to all the provent install ideas from the various threads in the diesel section, as I'm getting PM's galore!

Mann and Hummel are in Sydney, and I purchased via sydney filter services. Perhaps cheaper direct, but not cheap overall, $200 plus! Beats a DPF dollarwise though I'm sure....

[Jettinabout]

It's adiesel you need to flog the crap out of it......you can't treat adeisel the same as a petrol, they just don't like being nursed and babied...they like hard work and if not worked hard they will play up.

[gregozedobe]

Full accelerator makes the engine run richer which creates extra soot to clog up the DPF. Go for medium revs (above 1800rpm) and medium accelerator pedal to reduce soot accumulation in your DPF. Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it isn't still coming out the exhaust manifold and getting trapped in the DPF.

IIRC the DPF can need regenerating after only 2-3 days of stop-start commuting. GT TDI engines (PD 125Kw) seem to suffer the most.

The DPF has a finite life. Eventually it can no longer be regenerated and will need replacing (just like clutch or brake components). No doubt a new DPF will cost an arm and a leg.

I believe there has been a "campaign" in the UK which involves replacement DPF sensors (some were faulty) and software changes too, and this seems to have helped some people a lot. A search of the Briskoda site may turn up more info (the Octy II vRS TDI had the PD 125Kw motor, same as in the Gplf GT TDI, but the latest version has the latest CR version of this motor).

http://briskoda.net/octavia-ii/

[Logzy]

Full accelerator makes the engine run richer which creates extra soot to clog up the DPF. Go for medium revs (above 1800rpm) and medium accelerator pedal to reduce soot accumulation in your DPF.

I have to agree with this. I find that the car has more pull if you find that sweet spot, the balance between % of accelerator and the revs.
Even from a standing start the car is quicker and has more pull if you use about 1/2 to 3/4 accellerator instead of full.

[Sage]

Why were people asking if you were running BP diesel?

Is there a difference? is there a rating similar to octane for diesels?

[vectorskink]

Yeah, I think it's called "cetane". I think it's term to measure the energy potential for a certain amount of diesel. BP have an 'Ultimate' diesel fuel which has a higher cetane rating than normal diesel, apparently.

[Jase]

Yeah cetane rating is applicable to diesel. Doesn't work exactly like octane but the higher the better basically. The usual diesel sold at BP averages around 51 (other brands often just specify a minumum of 49) which potentially makes BP a better choice. BP Ultimate diesel has higher cetane again (approximately 55 I think from memory).

[kazsiddique]

dpf problems

now after reading all the posts, is now one upset at the VW dealerships form where they purchased the car? im pissed that they didnt tell me about these problems. a car is a car, and should be able to be driven in any way possible without it causing problems like this. who heard of a normal regular car that needed to be driven fast to keep it going??

now my tdi 170 bhp is really in strife as the filiter keeps getting clogged every couple of wweeks and i have been into the vw shop nearly 20 times since i got in in 2007. they keep saying its the way it is driven that causes it, but i drive it both fast and long periods and the same still happens, in 3rd gear and not 4th at 60 and still the same thing happens

now vw said they could replace the car with a TSI version but at a cost of $7000, which i took as an insult. why should i have to pay for the manufacturing fault in the car? shouldnt they replace it free of charge if its within the warranty???

need help

[Greg Roles]

Sounds poor. Even IF your DPF was clogging up, the car should be doing active regenerations, that is raising the idle etc, every few weeks. I've been conscious to keep my car running higher revs more often, and I haven't noticed a raised idle for several weeks now. What's happening to your car doesn't sound normal. That said it IS very true that your driving style, traffic conditions etc does impact the DPF clogging tremendously.

I figure all you can do is just keep going back, complaining and making a nusiance of yourself. Start sending letters to the dealer, and perhaps even VW themselves. Sooner or later they'd have to consider just replacing it to get rid of you! I know it's painful, but it sounds like you have a problematic DPF for whatever reason, and while you still have warranty, that'd be your best option I think.

also with a RRP of $5 grand for the DPF, you'd think they could do a better changeover price don't you think??

[stormshark]

now after reading all the posts, is now one upset at the VW dealerships form where they purchased the car? im pissed that they didnt tell me about these problems. a car is a car, and should be able to be driven in any way possible without it causing problems like this. who heard of a normal regular car that needed to be driven fast to keep it going??

now my tdi 170 bhp is really in strife as the filiter keeps getting clogged every couple of wweeks and i have been into the vw shop nearly 20 times since i got in in 2007. they keep saying its the way it is driven that causes it, but i drive it both fast and long periods and the same still happens, in 3rd gear and not 4th at 60 and still the same thing happens

now vw said they could replace the car with a TSI version but at a cost of $7000, which i took as an insult. why should i have to pay for the manufacturing fault in the car? shouldnt they replace it free of charge if its within the warranty???

need help

I hear your frustration and totally agree. I've had my GT TDI 4 weeks and no issue (touch wood).Thats not why i'm posting-but i did talk to the service manager, about the supposed issue and the need for a Provent etc upon pick up, after researching the info here.I wish i could give you the Exact quote , but it was something like" with your sort of driving/country/highway there you will be right" with DPF clogging as it clears itself and we don't recommend Provent etc?.In hindsight it was probably the std response to someone buying a new car, but probably if there were even the hint of some issues with some people maybe more engagement with new clients should have been entered into, but like i said so far no problems, but i do very different driving to you, but in saying this i agree you should not have this in a $40k (any?) new car!

[poyta]

I've changed my driving style now and almost never engage 5th gear now- I keep my revs above 1500rpm at all times and when there's a nice stretch of road I keep the revs at around 2000rpm. Lost a bit of fuel economy but so far haven't had any DPF issues like I used to have. There's no need to go fast, dont thrash the car, just keeps the revs up and its should be regenerating itself.
If you are keeping the revs up and its still clogging then tt sounds like its not regenerating, maybe you have a fault - just keep wasting the dealers money and time but constantly getting them to service the car - take advantage of the VW roadside assistance - get them to pay for the towing - eventually they will see that its a big issue and will have a proper look at it. You shouldn't have to go to a Tsi to fix this issue.

[Jase]

It certainly seems like something isn't working like it should. I agree that using VW assist at any opportunity possible may help to highlight the issue.

Doing heaps of country kays and having seen the posts here beforehand, I told the dealer I wanted a TDi. If I wasn't so sure, I would expect the dealers to point out any negatives associated with such a car (like gridlock with DPF isn't ideal etc).