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View Full Version : Diesel Particular Filter (DPF) Audi A3 170TDI - Limp Mode



Shaun170D
09-07-2012, 07:22 PM
Hi All

After owning my Audi A3 S-Line for just 8 weeks I am less than impressed I must say (56 Reg, 58k on the clock, full Audi S/H). In the first 2/3 weeks I had bad misfiring, which turned out to be faulty injectors of which I sent the car off to Audi to be placed as it was part of a recall and the previous owner had not bothered sorting it. The following week I got a stone jammed in-between the rear brake disc and disc plate, which need unjamming (Maybe just sods law?). Now this weekend the car has gone into Limp mode because of the Diesel Particular filter!

I was driving the car when the DPF light came on. I was driving home through country roads at the time. Within 15 miles the coil/glow plug light came on and started flashing and then the engine management light lit up. The car immediately went into limp mode and was sluggish. I got home about 5 mins later. I read the manual that advised me to drive the car for 20 mins at 2,000 rpm in 5th gear when the DPF light first came up. Well it wasn't exactly up for long (10 mins max) before going into limp mode and I was nowhere near a dual carriageway or motorway at the time to do this anyway!

So I got back in the car (In limp mode) and took it down a dual carriageway for 15 mins at 2,000 for 15 mins, no joy, didn't clear it.

So I parked the car back at home and called Audi. They advised me they were fully booked but if the problem was major they would look at it within 48 hours but told me now not to drive the car. They insisted I call the RAC first and NOT to bring it to them as it could be a simple fix... Yeah right!. I called the RAC out that tried everything and could not sort out the problem. They go the code '2002' I believe when plugging in the diagnostics.

So what are my options?, I still have a warranty on the car from a used Mercedes dealer where I bought the car (Are they going to cover a DPF?). It is a right pain as they are 50 miles away even though the RAC will recover it. They might take it in and then turn round saying it's not a warranty issue and I've lost a few days. 2nd option, get it recovered to Audi. Is it possible they can force regen the DPF or will it need a new one?! I'm certainly not paying over £1,000 to fix it! That cost is a joke quite frankly! Or thirdly, just take it to a place that removed the DPF with a delete pipe?

Getting to work is a nightmare without my car so need to sort this asap! I just am not willing to pay extortionate prices for a car I have only just purchased.

Any ideas from anyone why my Audi just suddenly decided to mess up and not give any decent length of time from DPF warning light to full on limp mode. Is the DPF shot? Do I go back to the dealer I bought it from or straight to Audi?

I really need help on this one as I am at my wits end?

Cheers folks


Shaun

Eshrules
09-07-2012, 07:28 PM
first port of call would be the supplying dealer, you're still within the 3 months warranty period. I'm unsure of how warranty claims stand as far as DPF clog/failure is concerned though.

In fairness to the dealer, it's not the sort of fault you can foresee.

kite
09-07-2012, 07:40 PM
You could Try a forced regeneration with VCDS.

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Shaun170D
09-07-2012, 07:55 PM
Hi Kite. Isn't this what Audi will do first if I took it to them?

kite
09-07-2012, 08:01 PM
Yes...but some members on here have the software and cable.

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panscrub
09-07-2012, 08:33 PM
Never mind the 2000 revs,take it down the road & get those revs up as high as you can,i know it goes against the grain but believe me its worth the try,had loads o these in with same problem,i own a 2007 a3 170 myself & have done it on my own too when i got the light on.I'm no novice,been in the trade 29 years & last 10 as the owner of my own garage,try it,you have nothing to lose but a lot to gain!!

Guest 2
09-07-2012, 08:35 PM
once its in limp mode it wont come out until the problem is rectifited - you need a forced regen like george says and the fault codes read - driving it hard will do nothing now

panscrub
09-07-2012, 08:43 PM
Do try it first,i've had many brought to me in limp mode & they can be cleared,as i said,nothing to lose,much to gain!!!!!!

Eshrules
09-07-2012, 09:52 PM
Question (in relative ignorance, most of the dervs I've had haven't had DPFs). If the DPF is 'blocked' and you take it down the motorway revving the nuts off it, is there any possibility of lasting engine damage being caused as a result?

I'll also re iterate my initial post - contact the supplying dealer before you do anything. If you force a regen and it fails, or you cause any further damage, they'll be well within their rights to wash their hands of you and your car. You have to give the supplying dealer a chance to rectify the fault - I realise I may sound short but I can see this ending in tears.

Guest 2
09-07-2012, 09:57 PM
Question (in relative ignorance, most of the dervs I've had haven't had DPFs). If the DPF is 'blocked' and you take it down the motorway revving the nuts off it, is there any possibility of lasting engine damage being caused as a result?

Too many revs can increase the soot - thats why Audi give a recommended 2000 - 2500 rpm for optimum regen.

I haven't revved the A3 right up as I keep within the recommended but I suppose its like ragging it every time the light comes on depending on the driving style.


I'll also re iterate my initial post - contact the supplying dealer before you do anything. If you force a regen and it fails, or you cause any further damage, they'll be well within their rights to wash their hands of you and your car. You have to give the supplying dealer a chance to rectify the fault - I realise I may sound short but I can see this ending in tears.

x2 - yes go back to the dealer and get them to sort it - if you break something say byebye to them fixing it but a forced regen usually helps most of the time :)

kite
09-07-2012, 10:16 PM
Forced regeneration carried out, soot load now 5%.
all warning lights off.....

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panscrub
09-07-2012, 11:03 PM
The dpf is classed as a consumable,even by the dealers so you will be lucky if they cover it.There are lots of conflicting views on dpf systems,truth told,i don't believe anyone really knows the correct answers,all i'm suggesting is what works for me & what i do with my customers cars,none of which i have ever damaged through my actions!! No engine damage will be sustained because its common sense....if the dpf is completely blocked then the exhaust gases cant escape so the engine can't run!!!!! This happens on petrol cars too,the cat goes,melts down to the size of a golfball,plugs the exhaust pipe & stops the engine,no damage,just no run as the engine cant exhaust..Take a deep breath,hold your nose & mouth,you cant breathe out so you pass out but you will come back round shortly after with no lasting damage!!! Same thing..Anyway,high revs will almost all of the time move the soot,don't be scared,the dealers aren't,as they do this often & charge you for the pleasure of hammering your car which you gladly pay cos they've fixed it.Believe me,i've been there!!! Anyway,the choice is yours & i'm sure i've opened a bag of worms but hey,a forums here to give you other people's views & experiences & let you make your own choice..By the way,my a3 has now done 142000 miles & it's on the same dpf & same engine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shaun170D
09-07-2012, 11:39 PM
*Kite* (George) came round this evening, what a nice guy. Just lives round the corner ffrom me, small world!

We forced a regen with his laptop, cable and VCDS software. My car had a soot load of 30% / 35%, which I thought was low considering the lights and limp mode were I believed to have only supposed to become active at 45%+? Anyhow, soon after plugging it in and running the test software twice, the engine light went out, we took it up the road and full power regained and the soot level started to come down as we cruised at a good speed down the nearby motorway. As we got back the soot level got down to 5% where it seamed to like to sit. All looks o.k!

Ill keep everyone posted in the next couple of weeks!

Massive thumbs up to *Kite*, what a top guy!

Shaun

robetere
11-07-2012, 12:46 AM
On VCDS to see your soot load what Module/Measuring block do you go to? Also what is considered a good level? I'm guessing 0% but there must be acceptable tolerances?

kite
11-07-2012, 01:28 AM
On VCDS to see your soot load what Module/Measuring block do you go to? Also what is considered a good level? I'm guessing 0% but there must be acceptable tolerances?

Check the rosstech wiki

follow me on twitter...kiteaudi...

robetere
11-07-2012, 01:44 AM
Check the rosstech wiki

follow me on twitter...kiteaudi...

Found it :-) "Particle Filter Load Specification (see MVB 075.3, VAG-COM should give the specified value)"