Black smoke

[toneil461]

Hi,

Got a Passat 55 plate 2.0 TDI which when reved blows a large amount of Black smoke from the exhaust during the initial rev-up, this also happens when I accelerate. The performance and MPG are excellent! I know this is the sign of overfueling and can be expected on diesels but this is a little excessive to be the norm. Idea's?

[DaffyGhost]

My 06 2.0 TDI 140 black smokes when I put my foot down hard but not under normal driving, I get ~50mpg (real not computer) so I've never really worried about it.

[damo140]

I'm, sure that was a trait of the old PD engine, mine does it as well, but the new CR (Common Rail) engines don't seem to do this

[danski]

Do the fuel additives do anything to stop this?
Mine smokes a bit, and was thinking of trying some...dont know which though.

[ledburyloafer]

got the pd engine, but must admitt clean as whistle when pushed, would this be the pdf at work, my old B5 sport smoked like adog, without any noticable loss of performance/economy

[Demios]

I have a 55reg 2.0 TDI estate and had the same worry.

I get mine most when pulling away quickly as I change into second gear.

It seems worse of a night as you can see the cloud you left behind in peoples headlights.

[johnloaderuk]

I also have a 55 plate Sport 140 TDI, and have had exactly the same problem since I had it from new, now with 132k on it. I've complained about the smoke at every single service, only to be told everything is in limit, and that some do it and some don't.

[dieseljames]

Its just a diesel thing..if your car is running right and performance is good with good economy then you don't need to worry about it.

In addition, sometimes when a service is due they can typically smoke more - blocked air filter I think.

[johnloaderuk]

I take your point dieseljames, but I don't expect to drive a fairly new and modern car that smokes like some of these Passats do in this day and age of electronic gadetry, precise electronic injection systems etc, it's not good to put your foot down once in a while when trying to exit a junction quickly only to leave a smoke screen behind you - it's like driving a 1990's diesel (probably worse) in this respect, not an almost up to date 'prestige' badged car. It spoils an otherwise good ownership experience, and I don't feel I should find this acceptable.

[Quatrelle]

As dieseljames says, it's worth checking the air filter. Failing that, it should be possible to program it out.

It's easy for a dealer to say it's within limits (I doubt if VW would agree, after all it's bad for the 'environment' they constantly preach about in their driver's handbook). It would be interesting to hear him justify 'within limits' with some facts. To say 'some do, some don't', is stating the blindingly bleedin' obvious.

I've never noticed mine smoking - to be honest, I don't look for it that often, but the exhaust pipes and the area around them are always clean, perhaps I'm deluding myself.....