Audi A3 Tdi 170 DPF 2008 Sportback Manual DPF Issue

[iworld]

Hi CRASHER/Anyone,

I have an issue with my car which is not going away. I know the last resort is to replace the DPF with a new one but that would not be economically viable given its age and mileage (151K) with full service history.

The previous owner had the DPF cleaned out by a specialist but the issue came back. I have the receipt for it. It was only cleaned back in August. The exhaist light and coil light come on the dash as well as the engine light comes on. I have cleared the engine light with a CARLY OBD but it comes back on. I have put Shell Optimax Diesal and tried to do a manual regen by driving it in 4th gear for over 30 minutes at well over 2500rpm - that did not work. I put two cans of DPF cleaner and took it for a long drive for over 30 minutes and that did not work.

When i am driving the turbo does not even kick in and whatever speed. Driving on a flat road is beareable but driving up hill is a serious hazard and the speed is too low

Can the DPF be replaced with a used one?

Is there a solution without having to fork out on a new one whjich woulf not make sense?

Appreciate the advice and help.

Thank you for your years of advbice on this forum - you hve saved people a fortune!

[gareth23]

Morning,

You need to post a full fault code read and Crasher will need the VIN, it could be the DPF is fine and something else is causing a problem or stopping it doing a regen.

[Crasher]

The BMN engine... FFS! I am sorry but there is nothing (legal) you can do. The combined DPF/DOC loses its precious metal catalyitic properties and can't get the system up to regen temperature. You cannot buy a new genuine DPF and aftermarket are useless with used ones being scare and often knackered. Also the injectors are the main source of the problem and these cannot be found new anywhere, Bosch and VW have washed their hands of this engine.

[iworld]

The BMN engine... FFS! I am sorry but there is nothing (legal) you can do. The combined DPF/DOC loses its precious metal catalyitic properties and can't get the system up to regen temperature. You cannot buy a new genuine DPF and aftermarket are useless with used ones being scare and often knackered. Also the injectors are the main source of the problem and these cannot be found new anywhere, Bosch and VW have washed their hands of this engine.

This is a shame. VW should take responsbility for this as they have done with the emissions scandle. What is the purpose of bringing out a technology that will reduce emmissions that has an inherent fault which they know will affect users. I drive a 2014 520d and i do a lot of short town journeys and they DPF light never comes on. Even driving that on the motorway at 70 mph the engine is ticking over at 1700-1800 rpm. What do you suggest i do?

[iworld]

Hi Gareth

The fault code is P2458 - regeneration of soot particulate filter overdue

VIN Number WAUZZZ8P68A144111

[gareth23]

I see Crasher has already replied and it doesnt look good

Another reason why my next car isn't going to be anything from VAG

[iworld]

Hi Gareth

It is a shame that VAG shot themselves in the foot with the dpf issue when regulators were pushing for tighter emissions. They could have used better dpf filters which they did not bother to, only to alienate a growing fan base for diesal powered cars. I had a Mk7 GTD 2013 which was an early one. I noticed when I drove locally the fans were still running when I turned it off the engine which I am guessing was the dpf regeneration raking place. Occasionally the dpf light came on and a good spirited drive on the motorway sorted that out. Eventually I got fed up of this cycle and decided to sell it. My bmw does not behave like this which is sad for VAG as this was the diesal engines weak point. I think I will look at getting a mk7 GTi PP as I need a car that can handle on rails and give good mpg. I don't know what the mk8 GTD, hopefully VAG should have sorted out the DPF issue. It is sad that a lot of good cars with dpf have to be taken off road now because they are not economically viable to repair due to an inherit design fault by the manufacturer

Thank to you and Crasher for your input

[Crasher]

They may have shot themselves in the foot but it wasn't voluntary, it was down to punitive, ineffective and pointless CO2 reduction legislation, go woke, go broke. Their DPF's are of THE highest quality which is why they were so expensive (£2454) and in theory they can be ordered but there is no UK stock but there is no point without new injectors which cannot be found new. The added problem with the DPF is it is right hand drive specific so just about a UK/Ireland only problem. The bad decision VW did make was not going common rail like everyone else did so when they did, they found themselves at least a whole generation behind everyone else; consequently their first gen CR TDI engines we a disaster, the EA189 and subsequent emissions farce. Then they went woke and electric so now they are going broke, unless VW pulls the plug [sic] on all BEV products, they are screwed. Net Zero, a leftist scam designed to destroy capitalism. We want change they say, change to what? The middle ages?

[iworld]

They may have shot themselves in the foot but it wasn't voluntary, it was down to punitive, ineffective and pointless CO2 reduction legislation, go woke, go broke. Their DPF's are of THE highest quality which is why they were so expensive (£2454) and in theory they can be ordered but there is no UK stock but there is no point without new injectors which cannot be found new. The added problem with the DPF is it is right hand drive specific so just about a UK/Ireland only problem. The bad decision VW did make was not going common rail like everyone else did so when they did, they found themselves at least a whole generation behind everyone else; consequently their first gen CR TDI engines we a disaster, the EA189 and subsequent emissions farce. Then they went woke and electric so now they are going broke, unless VW pulls the plug [sic] on all BEV products, they are screwed. Net Zero, a leftist scam designed to destroy capitalism. We want change they say, change to what? The middle ages?

VAG are taking a gamble with going all electric. I think combustion engines still have a future as they are efficient now. We will miss the sound when they are gone. Not the fake sound you get with electric. The market should have a choice of engines for cars as we have now. Not government bureaucrats pushing an electric future. Electric cars are about 500kg heavier and millions on the roads will damage already bad roads. Furthermore it will cost to dispose of electric cars which you don’t have with combustion engines. I can see a lot of abandoned electric cars which the tax payer will have to foot the bill. The government said they got it wrong worth diesel engines in the early 00's and soon they will say the same about electric cars. The environmental cost electric cars have far outweigh the benefits. Porsche and Toyota are working on synthetic fuels. Which models diesel engines are the best for not having DPF issues? I like the Golf GTD but i found that early 63 plates were a bit problematic

[iworld]

VAG are taking a gamble with going all electric. I think combustion engines still have a future as they are efficient now. We will miss the sound when they are gone. Not the fake sound you get with electric. The market should have a choice of engines for cars as we have now. Not government bureaucrats pushing an electric future. Electric cars are about 500kg heavier and millions on the roads will damage already bad roads. Furthermore it will cost to dispose of electric cars which you don’t have with combustion engines. I can see a lot of abandoned electric cars which the tax payer will have to foot the bill. The government said they got it wrong worth diesel engines in the early 00's and soon they will say the same about electric cars. The environmental cost electric cars have far outweigh the benefits. Porsche and Toyota are working on synthetic fuels. Which models diesel engines are the best for not having DPF issues? I like the Golf GTD but i found that early 63 plates were a bit problematic