DPF

[Roadsport06]

Some advice please.

My diesel car (Octavia 170pd engine) has now done 92k miles and the dpf goes into regeneration more often and a few times in recent months I've had an orange coil flashing warning light on the dash with the code for insufficient gas flow for the dpf. I assume the dpf is near full of ash due to the mileage done and the more frequent regens.

What are my options? A new dpf is around £700 from Eurocarparts. Are there good options that anyone has used for them to be cleaned of all of the ash build up?

I'm Sutton Coldfield based if you have any personal recommendations.

[rj]

Hmm. I do, but it would be in Denmark.

Be careful who you choose. Some tend to break it rather than fix it. I've seen one where the core has been knocked out following a "repair"

[ECR]

if you search on you tube there is much info

"clean skoda diesel particulate filter"

[Jim 123]

Look at diesel particulate flush.  Halfords do them for around £90 and maybe you can use your club discount.

[Roadsport06]

@ECR I've read plenty but a lot of people seem to be taking cash for poor results. No change there. An additive and a forced regen seems to be the offing by many.

@Jim123 Do you have experience of the Halfords work? My understanding is they just add an additive and do a forced regen. I could do that at home with VCDS.

@rj Is it the case to properly clean the dpf of ash that it needs to come off and what processes should I be looking for them to be doing?

[rj]

I think it has to come off to get a prper clean. In some cases the can seem to need opening and in even worse cases they replace the element inside the can.

[p.mole1]

You can get them cleaned but you have to remove it and send it away, avoid anyone who states they can clean it on the car.

I'm sure there is a company who test them and clean them, flow test to ensure it is serviceable. Have you taken it for an Italian tune, modern diesels don't like short journeys 

[Roadsport06]

Thank you all.

Yes, the car gets good long runs, but I think ash build up with the miles done is leading the regen to be more often.

I've found GAP turbos in Birmingham do the dpf off and clean. If anyone has experience of these then feedback would be helpful.

[Wrightpayne]

Watching with interest - 2.0 TDI Superb on 92k miles mix of distance / short journeys. I’ve owned from new and we plan to keep until uneconomic. 

Let us know how you get on.

Ian

[Roadsport06]

Good evening Ian,

VW reckon on 90k for the pd and 110k for the CR engine.

I have two possible ones that I've come across. GAP turbos in Birmingham and Best turbos in Sandwell. Both take off the dpf to give it a good blast with chemicals and water. Best turbos seem to have more consistent reviews.

Like you, I am likely to run until uneconomical. Looking at the cost of cars now they really seem to be expensive. I'm in no real rush to get it done, it might be something I leave to the summer holidays. The Bluetooth OBD2 dongle is great, a flashing dashlight would be a worry but knowing what the fault code was I just reset it and it hasn't come back but will again in a few months.

[Wrightpayne]

Some of more sophisticated diagnostic tools (VAG-COM VCDS I think) can do a test on the DPF to see how ‘full’ it is.

I plan to swap out all the shocks soon for some Bilstein B4s as the rears are a bit ineffective over speed bumps. I dont mind a bit of pre-emptive maintenance rather than letting it go completely.

Ian

[rj]

Correct

[Roadsport06]

Yes, I will plug in VCDS over the weekend and get a measurement of how full it is. As I plan to keep the car for a while I need to get the dpf sorted out either way.

The Bilstein have a good reputation for the VW setup.

[p.mole1]

You should get an ash loading with the VAGCOM although I'm not sure how accurate it is, it probably depends on how much oil has been burnt and the correct type has been used etc. Try info@ivorsearle.co.uk for cleaning.  I think as long as the DPF has not been overheated it is just a case of reverse flushing the ash out. You will need a VAGCOM once you refit it as it will have to told it has a new DPF

[Roadsport06]

My engine has a pampered life with new oil every 6 months, 6k miles with the low ash VAG 507.00 oil. Ivor Seale seem to have the same process as the ones I have investigated so that gives me extra confidence.

I have VCDS to reset the ash level to "new" after the dpf has been cleaned out

[Wrightpayne]

I too have been doing 6 month oil / filter changes using Quantum long life - £26 for 5L from the dealers if you ask!!

Ian