Help with New GOLf Mk6 GT TDI 140

[Syd98]

I've had a Golf 5 for 5 yrs from new (GT TDI 140PS) been a fantastic car no problems apart from the usual.
Looking at Golf 6 (GT TDI 140PS) but have been told about problems with the DPF clogging, only do 5 miles to work and back but often have a blast at weekends. been told NOT TO TOUCH TDI with DPF!

Do all new GOLF TDI engines have the DPF fitted?

I Don't really trust anything my local vw ******* tells me, the staff are all young kids, who have to ask the techie guys in the back everything apart from what colour is it.
Any help appreciated.

Thanks

[percymon]

All Mk6 diesels have the DPF, as do Audi A3s and Skodas.

If you do short journeys you will clog the DPF, but the car senses this and does a regeneration automatically. These regens remove the carbon build up through a high heat cycle, which probably isn't good for longevity. Running the car for 20 minutes at 2k revs (probably about 85mph in top gear on a 6 speed box) will clean the DPF too. Regular runs are obviously best - not had a regen or dpf lioght on my 1.6TDI but i do 27 miles dual carriageway to work, where with the 5 speed box i'm at 2k revs at 70-75mph.

All depneds on what your weekend blast entails, but without a good highish rev run, you are asking for issues with your short commute. Its the very reason my father didn't buy the A3 2.0TDI 170, instead opting for a 1.8T petrol, which still returns 45mpg on a steady a road trip, and feels rather spritely despite still running it in.

[Keithuk]

It shouldn't really be a problem Syd98 this was talked about recently. ;)

DPF clean out (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=102171)

[p3asa]

Here is the AA's take on DPF (http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/fuels-and-environment/diesel-particulate-filters.html)

[Gerryf]

Hi Syd, I'd also advise you to avoid DPF equipped cars considering the short trips you undertake, a petrol model would be more suitable.

If you yearn for a diesel then you might like to consider getting a Ford 1.8 Tdci common rail diesel.....the 1.8 models don't have a DPF.

[Foxtrot Oscar]

NOT TO TOUCH TDI

This is the important bit, nevermind DPF. Why'd anyone want to drive a tractor engine anyway? :p

[paul.mgrath]

Mine does about 12 miles a day (school run) and has no adverse effects or warning lights. Has a bit of a run at weekends maybe 50 miles.

Only thing i would say is if you are used to your mk5 140 prepare to stall the mk6 CR till you get used to it (not as driveable at the bottom end!!)

[dwsugden]

Re stalling, I agree. This is the first diesel I have had and stalled it on a number of occaions.

I took delivery of my Golf a month ago (2.0 TDI (140)). I've been driving for 25 years and a few days ago I even stalled the car approaching a set of traffic lights which were on red. I was slowing down in 4th gear when the engine suddenly died. There was a slight sound and that was it...the engine had died. In a petrol engine you can feel the cue when you are in too high of a gear. It seems as though I have to learn how to drive this car from scratch.

On another occasion I stalled it approaching a roundabout in second gear - again I stalled it. I'm 'glad' other people are having the same problem - makes me feel a little better - lol.

Regards, Darren

[Keithuk]

Yes Stalling (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=93551&) has been talked about before on other forums (http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/t/306539.aspx) ;)

[dataconn]

I too had a GT MK5 140... To be honest, this revision of the golf, the mk6 or the mk5.5, just isn't a cut on the mk5 version... you can just see where they saved money... little things, like the outer side of the rear seats = plastic. On the mk5 I had, it was cloth right to the door.... the lower models had the plastic. I was really disappointed when I found this quirk. Seat belt stoppers - folded seat belt material rather than the standard plastic rivet, small things that build up to show the mk5 was really the best ever golf.

Look at the new audi a3, out early 2011, or get a late mk5, or buy my one below (£21500) ;-)

[kamikaze06]

I've had a Golf 5 for 5 yrs from new (GT TDI 140PS) been a fantastic car no problems apart from the usual.
Looking at Golf 6 (GT TDI 140PS) but have been told about problems with the DPF clogging, only do 5 miles to work and back but often have a blast at weekends. been told NOT TO TOUCH TDI with DPF!

Do all new GOLF TDI engines have the DPF fitted?

I Don't really trust anything my local vw ******* tells me, the staff are all young kids, who have to ask the techie guys in the back everything apart from what colour is it.
Any help appreciated.

Thanks

It makes for an interesting read.

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice...e-filters.html (http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/fuels-and-environment/diesel-particulate-filters.html)

Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF)

Reducing diesel soot emissions by 80%
Changes to new car emissions legislation scheduled for 2009, the so-called 'Euro 5' standards, will make particulate filters as commonplace in diesel car exhausts as catalytic converters are on petrol cars.
The goal is an 80% reduction in diesel particulate (soot) emissions but the technology's not without problems – AA patrols are already being called to cars with the particulate filter warning light illuminated (indicates a partial blockage).
It's clear that changes to driving style may be required too for maximum benefit from these systems.
How do they work?

Diesel Particulate filters (DPF) or 'traps' do just that, they catch bits of soot in the exhaust.
As with any filter (think of the bag in your vacuum cleaner) they have to be emptied regularly to maintain performance. For a DPF this process is called 'regeneration' – the accumulated soot is burnt off at high temperature to leave only a tiny ash residue. Regeneration may be either passive or active.
Passive regeneration

Passive regeneration takes place automatically on motorway-type runs when the exhaust temperature is high. Many cars don't get this sort of use though so manufacturers have to design-in 'active' regeneration where the engine management computer (ECU) takes control of the process.
Active regeneration

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/Images/dpf-warning-light.jpgWhen the soot loading in the filter reaches a set limit (about 45%) the ECU can make small adjustments to the fuel injection timing to increase the exhaust temperature and initiate regeneration. If the journey's a bit stop/start the regeneration may not complete and the warning light will illuminate to show that the DPF is partially blocked.
It should be possible to start a complete regeneration and clear the warning light simply by driving for 10 minutes or so at speeds greater than 40mph.
If you ignore the light and keep driving in a relatively slow, stop/start pattern soot loading will continue to build up until around 75% when you can expect to see other dashboard warning lights illuminate too. At this point driving at speed alone will not be sufficient and the car will have to go to a dealer for regeneration.
Expensive repairs

If warnings are still ignored and soot loading continues to increase then the most likely outcome will be a new DPF costing around £1000.
Mainly town based driving

If your own car use is mainly town-based, stop/start driving it would be wise to choose petrol rather than risk the hassle of incomplete DPF regeneration.
DPF additives

The most common type of DPF features an integrated oxidising catalytic converter and is located very close to the engine where exhaust gases will still be relatively hot so that passive regeneration is possible.
There's not always space close to the engine though so some manufacturers use a different type of DPF which relies on a fuel additive to lower the ignition temperature of the soot particles so that the DPF can be located further from the engine.
The additive is stored in a separate tank and is automatically mixed with the fuel whenever you fill up. Tiny quantities are required though so a litre of additive should treat around 2800 litres of fuel, enough to cover 25,000 miles at 40mpg.
With this type of DPF regeneration will be initiated by the ECU every 300 miles or so depending on vehicle use and will take 5 to 10 minutes to complete. You shouldn't notice anything other than perhaps a puff of white smoke from the exhaust when the process is completed.
AA experience

We're seeing some evidence of these systems failing to regenerate too, even on cars used mainly on motorways. It seems that on cars with a very high sixth gear engine revs are too low to generate sufficient exhaust temperature. Occasional harder driving in lower gears should be sufficient to burn off the soot in such cases.
Check the handbook

If you buy a car with a DPF fitted it's important to read the relevant section of the vehicle handbook so that you understand exactly what actions to take if the warning light illuminates and how, if at all, your driving style may need to be adjusted to ensure maximum DPF efficiency and life.
__________________

[paul.mgrath]

The missus should be ok with ours then as low rev economical drivings not her style so no need for a regen then!!:p Exhaust should get nice and hot as well as the brakes!! But good to know that they need a good boot every now and then.

[kamikaze06]

She'll be passing me no trouble then. I shall no doubt be coughing and spluttering getting rid of the soot. If you see a dark cloud on the horizon, it could be me. However, I am beginning to learn to hit the accelerator with a big cheesy smile on my face.