Is my fault an Adblue or particulate filter issue......2014 A6

[Diddion]

Hello everyone - can I ask for your shared expertise?

My A6 gave the following message: adblue system fault. No restart after 1000km. This was accompanied by the error code P204F00 - Reductant System Performance Bank 1 static. The car has since been taken to an Audi garage in Coimbra (Portugal) where they have diagnosed a replacement particulate filter. A few days before the adblue message I did experience a blocked particulate filter message which, strangely, took about 2 days to clear, even with fast motoring. Finally, the adblue system fault message now present is not accompanied by a blocked particulate filter symbol.

So, a few questions!

1. Does this analysis by the main dealer hold water...could a dead particulate filter explain it all? They would charge about 3500 euros to replace it.....very ouch!
2. If the analysis seems faulty, do you have any suggestions as to how to approach this problem?
3. A recommended local engineer will remove the filter and send it to a specialist for cleaning out, for a total cost of about 500 euros. But they don’t guarantee success. I am inclined to give it a try, but would be really interested in the views or experiences of forum members.

I am rather keen to avoid spending shed loads of money on particulate filters, only to find it is something else! Thanks

[KevTrem]

Have a search within this section of the forum, look for a post by Silane, he had the same fault code as you which was fixed with a software update. The post was started 29/10/2018.
I've also had issues but mine was fault code P208b which was a failed SCR/Reductant pump.

[Diddion]

Have a search within this section of the forum, look for a post by Silane, he had the same fault code as you which was fixed with a software update. The post was started 29/10/2018.
I've also had issues but mine was fault code P208b which was a failed SCR/Reductant pump.

Thanks, KevTrem. Yes, I have seen that post, which is one of the reasons for my questioning the diagnosis. Presumably, though, the same fault code could be generated by different causes......?

[KevTrem]

I'd ask them to perform the software update first, its a start and only couple 100 euros in time needed, certainly better than 3500 euros

[Diddion]

Good thought....will do. I don’t know anything about this dealer, but I confess to being a questioner as to the competence of such dealerships, even though a main dealer.

[Elansear]

I'd ask them to perform the software update first, its a start and only couple 100 euros in time needed, certainly better than 3500 euros

Hi If this is a software update to resolve a known problem then I can see no reason for an Audi accredited service department to charge of the update. There are to many of these type of issues being charged for when the cost should be covered by Audi. Rant over Grrrrrrrrrrrr

[Diddion]

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.

This is the full story, and it does have a happy ending:

I received an Adblue System Fault notice, and the dreaded no restart in 1000km information. Since the car is (just) under the 12-month third party guarantee period, as provided by insurance from the vendor, I contacted them here, in mid Portugal. They arranged for the car to be collected and taken to a main dealer in Coimbra, who took it to bits and diagnosed a blocked particulate filter (a bit odd, as the message was not the Particulate Filter symbol). They quoted 3500 euros to fix it....

I contacted the insurer and told them the story, and they said that particulate filters are not covered by the guarantee, being a consumable item. I then started to arrange with a local garage to collect the vehicle and try to clean the filter, which still would have been costly, but certainly a lot cheaper than replacing the filter. Then, about half an hour later, the insurer phoned me and said that it was unusual for the filter to have died on a car of this mileage, so they had doubts about the diagnosis, and wanted to collect it and take it to another garage to check. Significantly, that new garage is not an Audi specialist. These new people then diagnosed a faulty adblue pump, and they arranged for the filter to be cleaned and took the car about 70 miles to another main dealer for the software to be updated. They also replaced a rear light bulb!

I understand that I will need to pay for the software update, the light bulbs (of course) some adblue and diesel to take the vehicle to the other dealer - perhaps 150 euros or so, but the pump is covered under the guarantee. Whilst I have not yet taken the car back, this story is now holding together, and is now sorted, unless of course the problem is not resolved or re-emerges. Fingers crossed!

I am incredibly impressed with the behaviour of the insurers, in recognising a seeming inconsistency, and in deciding the seek a second opinion. It would have been so easy for them to wash their hands of it, have me incur perhaps a 3500 euro fee, and still end with a non-functioning car. I am definitely a little less cynical about such guarantees than I used to be. Best wishes!

[KevTrem]

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.

This is the full story, and it does have a happy ending:

I received an Adblue System Fault notice, and the dreaded no restart in 1000km information. Since the car is (just) under the 12-month third party guarantee period, as provided by insurance from the vendor, I contacted them here, in mid Portugal. They arranged for the car to be collected and taken to a main dealer in Coimbra, who took it to bits and diagnosed a blocked particulate filter (a bit odd, as the message was not the Particulate Filter symbol). They quoted 3500 euros to fix it....

I contacted the insurer and told them the story, and they said that particulate filters are not covered by the guarantee, being a consumable item. I then started to arrange with a local garage to collect the vehicle and try to clean the filter, which still would have been costly, but certainly a lot cheaper than replacing the filter. Then, about half an hour later, the insurer phoned me and said that it was unusual for the filter to have died on a car of this mileage, so they had doubts about the diagnosis, and wanted to collect it and take it to another garage to check. Significantly, that new garage is not an Audi specialist. These new people then diagnosed a faulty adblue pump, and they arranged for the filter to be cleaned and took the car about 70 miles to another main dealer for the software to be updated. They also replaced a rear light bulb!

I understand that I will need to pay for the software update, the light bulbs (of course) some adblue and diesel to take the vehicle to the other dealer - perhaps 150 euros or so, but the pump is covered under the guarantee. Whilst I have not yet taken the car back, this story is now holding together, and is now sorted, unless of course the problem is not resolved or re-emerges. Fingers crossed!

I am incredibly impressed with the behaviour of the insurers, in recognising a seeming inconsistency, and in deciding the seek a second opinion. It would have been so easy for them to wash their hands of it, have me incur perhaps a 3500 euro fee, and still end with a non-functioning car. I am definitely a little less cynical about such guarantees than I used to be. Best wishes!

Sounds like your problem was exactly the same as mine then. I have now completed approx 16k miles on the new adblue pump and had messages twice to refill with 1500mile warning. Hopefully once you get your car back that will be it sorted.
I have heard since having my car sorted that the pumps on the early 2015 cars are known to be a problem.

Pleased you have it almost sorted and its not cost you as such.

[Diddion]

Well now, another little problemette.

After a day or two driving the engine management light came on. I have just put the reader on it and it shows code P2002. Guess what. This is a particulate filter fault caused, I understand, by a faulty filter, sensor, or by a leak. I shall clear it and take the car for a high speed spin, and see what happens. Or perhaps I should say, when. I have got a horrible feeling that the filter is likely to need replacing after all, but I will report back on the next element iof this particular saga.

[KevTrem]

Hopefully its just as simple as it hasn't been doing a regen with faulty adblue pump and needs a good run.