How can I tell if it's got a DPF?

[Quatrelle]

Picking up from another thread, I'd like to know if my 140TDI has got a DPF.

According to the handbook, there's a warning light inside the 'arch' of the rev-counter. This doesn't come on when I turn on the ignition, unlike some of the others which come on and then go out once the engine fires.

Can I assume from this that mine hasn't got a DPF? Does anyone have the warning light?

[DaveNN]

Picking up from another thread, I'd like to know if my 140TDI has got a DPF.

According to the handbook, there's a warning light inside the 'arch' of the rev-counter. This doesn't come on when I turn on the ignition, unlike some of the others which come on and then go out once the engine fires.

Can I assume from this that mine hasn't got a DPF? Does anyone have the warning light?

If memory serves me correctly (read it on this forum), do the DPF cars have sticky outy exausts, not droopy ones???

[Crasher]

PM me your chassis number and I will tell you.

[vince47]

Quatrelle, To answer your question about the DPF light. My 170SEL with DPF does the following.
Insert key fob enough to put on various dashboard lights and the yellow DPF one flashes on then very quickly off (0.3 secs ish). Never seen it on again, nor do I want to !http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/images/icons/icon7.gif

[Phil Mcavity]

It should be listed on the door pillar with the engine spec and kilowatt output maybe worth looking there to see if its shown.

[vince47]

I think 7GG is the code for the DPF option that should be shown in the front of the handbook and elsewhere
7GG=emissions concept EU 4 with particulate filter

[Crasher]

The factory fit DPF is PR (option) number 7GG and from his build details I can see it doesn’t have that. However the parts system should highlight what front pipe his car has and none are highlighted and even then there is a retro fit DPF system so the question is still slightly open.

[Quatrelle]

Thanks for the replies everyone, and thanks again Crasher.

Does the "0GG Emissions concept EU 4" in the list for my car, rather than "7GG=emissions concept EU 4 with particulate filter" as provided by vince47 make it any more likely that it hasn't got one?

Can you expand on the retro-fit DPF system - especially the 'retro-fit' bit?

[Crasher]

Actually it was me that sent you the list. The retro fit kit is a set of parts available from the dealer that allows a car like yours to have a DPF fitted. They cost from £600 to £900 plus fitting which is a lot.

[Quatrelle]

Sorry Crasher,:o could have worded my reply a bit better, especially regarding the trouble you took to sort out and send me the list. 'Stated' rather than 'provided' perhaps in my initial reply? Anyway, thanks again, as in my PM, much appreciated. I can see why your 'reputation' is going (gone) up ;)

Somehow I don't think I'll be going to my dealer to spend £600-900 on a DPF.

[Crasher]

I totally agree, especially not with the trouble they cause with getting clogged up.

[vince47]

I certainly wouldnt have paid to have had a DPF as its another thing that could give trouble (see other threads). I was nearly put off buying the 170SEL when I read the following words in
http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/assets/pdf/new_passat_estate_brochure.pdf
"Please note, driving conditions within inner-cities and the Channel Islands may not provide optimum conditions for the use of DPF technology. Therefore, it is advised that you consider this before ordering your vehicle with DPF."
(So if anyone in the channel Isles has one remember
Good morning officer, I was just cleaning my dpf as advised by VW when you stopped me:o )
Pretty strong words coming from VW Sales. I also wondered if I had DPF problems would VW just use this to say I hadnt driven it in the correct way to cause the DPF to clean itself. Seems a nuisance to ensure I periodically belt up and down a stretch of motorway to avoid paying £900 + fitting! Negates some of the environmental benefit.
I also wonder whether there is a performance hit when it starts getting clogged and can it be recovered by the above burn-up before it gets too bad. Anyone know how they fail? Sudden/intermittent/recoverable?

[Phil Mcavity]

but whats the difference in running the car in 2nd/ 3rd gear if you dont have a motorway, all u need to do is to keep the rev's high, u dont have to be doing 80mph+ to clear any build up of carbon from the filter:approve:

[vince47]

I was being a bit light hearted above. More seriously, its just not a good feeling that at any time the DPF light will come on because in the previous weeks I havent done a set of journeys that will regenerate the DPF. I do a lot of short trips taking an elderly parent back and forth and I havent a benchmark to know when the journey pattern will clog it. 3.3 page 12 of the manual appears to suggest that if I get it wrong, the DPF light will come on and all I need to do is run at 38mph for 15mins and all is back to square one. Hmmm, I wonder, time will tell.
Yes Phil, I wondered about warming the DPF by staying in a low gear (again a pain, ruin my fuel figures:crying:) but the manual states `the DPF cleans itself most efficiently when the engines revs are at approx 2000rpm in 4th or 5th gear.`
All in all its just a nuisance that I guess we have to live with for the greater good