Diesel Particulate Filter

[CatonaPC©]

Sorry, I'm getting mixed up with the GT.

[jggolf]

I have a GT Sport 2.0 TDi and today low and behold the DPF light came on the dash. I took my car straight to be dealer and they suggest to take the car for a run until the light went out on the dash, they also said that the light comes on then the engine reaches a computer reading of 17 (parts per million)? I had a reading of 22.
They also suggested to take the car for a long run every weekend and that sydney peak hour traffic is no good for the GT's as they like autobaun runs?

Can anyone back this up or were they pulling my leg???

Gill

[Oneofthegreats]

YEP. DPF's, don't like traffic at all & can get clogged up real fast!

We had a demo, that had clogged up 30% in less than 3000K.

[gregozedobe]

I have a GT Sport 2.0 TDi .....

They also suggested to take the car for a long run every weekend and that sydney peak hour traffic is no good for the GT's as they like autobaun runs?

Can anyone back this up or were they pulling my leg???

That sounds about right. Lots of UK people are having DPF problems with the 125Kw 2.0 TDI in traffic. There have also been quite a few engines with faulty DPF sensors (pressure sensors IIRC) triggering un-needed regenerations, so not all the problems have been actual clogged DPFs.

If you refrain from giving it a bootful while driving in heavy traffic it will produce less soot and therefore go longer between regenerations. When cruising along the highway at 2,000rpm or more it can do a "passive" regeneration without you knowing. It can also do an "active" regeneration after driving in heavy traffic (it will display a msg on the MDF apparently), and dealers can also do a "forced" regeneration.

If you do some searching you will find lots of info about DPFs and their problems.

[Russ59]

Just be sure and pull over somewhere if it decides to go into the regen. cycle whilst in traffic, I have experienced this once already (although mine was on a cold motor which probably made it worse) you will know if it starts the regen. because generally the car will run a bit rough and unpredictable and the idle will sit on 1000 rpm until it has completed the cycle. I found it near impossible to drive without stalling on take off, really quite dangerous !!

Russ

[jggolf]

We only have 1735k on the clock, so does the GT's just go into a regeneration cycle when it feels it needs to, or should I take it to another dealer and get them to check the sensor

Feedback greatly appreciated

Gill

[Russ59]

We only have 1735k on the clock, so does the GT's just go into a regeneration cycle when it feels it needs to, or should I take it to another dealer and get them to check the sensor

Feedback greatly appreciated

Gill

There are quite a few posts on this already so I won't start a new one but AFAIK YES !! it will start a regeneration cycle when it feels it necessary to do so. Having said that though I don't recall seeing a DPF warning light in the dash when mine did it, then again I wasn't really looking as I was a little preoccupied trying to find somewhere to pull over while it was $hitting itself. If the light keeps coming on at regular intervals then you may have to get the dealer to check it.

Russ

[bluey]

Prevention of DPF clogging by reducing smoke:
a. driving out of the "smoke zone".
b. high cetane fuel or add a cetane improving additive (eg Amsoil, Morey's diesel smoke killer, etc)

Otherwise, the AA has a good article on DPFs.

This catalyst manufacturer has some data on DPF regeneration and active regeneration data.

This thread also has some useful info.

[bluey]

Did you mean Golf GT TDI ? The Golf GTI is petrol (as is the Polo GTI).

This week I saw a red Golf V with proper GTI badge on the left and 2.0 TDI on the right. Was that real? Is it a chipped GT and someone has changed badges?? Is it a GTI and someone has done an engine swap?? Is is a foreign import??


PS I am reading about some reliability issues with VAG 2.0 diesels with DPFs to meet Euro Cat IV regulations. Things to be aware of...

[CatonaPC©]

I know my car has a catalytic converter. How does differ from a DPF? Wouldn't there be a potential for soot build up in this?