Diesel Particulate Filter

[jazd]

As Gavin said, there are errors for "signal too high", "short to ground" and "intermittant". It would be a bit odd if your sensor was playing up without one of those errors showing up. Still for the sake of $70 or what it is I'd replace it and see what happens. Be sure to do the adaptation in VCDS afterwards.

Also check out the stored values in VCDS for soot and ash loading, there are a few more too. Also check the values coming from the temperature sensors seem OK, there are three on the DPF.

Personally I'd remove the DPF as its more trouble than its worth, and I would say that because I removed mine myself today.

[MidnightDog]

As Gavin said, there are errors for "signal too high", "short to ground" and "intermittant". It would be a bit odd if your sensor was playing up without one of those errors showing up. Still for the sake of $70 or what it is I'd replace it and see what happens. Be sure to do the adaptation in VCDS afterwards.

Also check out the stored values in VCDS for soot and ash loading, there are a few more too. Also check the values coming from the temperature sensors seem OK, there are three on the DPF.

Personally I'd remove the DPF as its more trouble than its worth, and I would say that because I removed mine myself today.

I don't have VCDS, a cable or a Windows laptop right now, so I'll see what I can do to find someone who does.

You're a brave man I'd like nothing more than to rip the DPF out and toss it into a skip - I really would. However, I'd feel bad about the pollution coming from an unfiltered diesel, and I'd also worry about getting picked up for it. Google seems to indicate the fine is somewhere over $10 000. There's no yearly pink slip inspection here in the ACT, but there is in NSW - how do you plan to get around that?

P.S. What effect has the delete had? I can live vicariously...

[bluey]

Just wondering - if the DPF core has a big hole through it and is otherwise connected up, will the engine computer be happy? Use a cetane improver to reduce the smoke.

Been reading that ash can be reverse flushed out of a DPF, using water or hot water or pressure washer. Apparently Peugeot owners have been doing it for years. See for example http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/po...ex.htm?t=91801 http://www.peugeotforums.com/forums/...n-guide-18052/. Only hassle appears that the engine or subframe might have to be dropped to get the DPF out for a VAG TDI.

This article http://www.forddoctorsdts.com/articl...icle-07-03.php says "The ash can only be removed by physical means such as washing, pulsed or swirled compressed air."

[The_Hawk]

Google seems to indicate the fine is somewhere over $10 000. There's no yearly pink slip inspection here in the ACT, but there is in NSW - how do you plan to get around that?

In NSW I believe it's this part you are looking for:

NSW Legislation

In short, unless it makes things more efficient (in relation to emissions) you are not allowed to remove or change things or you cop a fine if caught.

Getting caught on the other hand is a whole different story. The pink slip tests do not currently include an emissions test so unless it's belching a pile of black smoke and the testing agent thinks it's "too much" it's unlikely to be questioned. Ditto for most other enforcement bodies... it is diesel after all... That said, things are changing and more and more diesel cars emit less and less smoke making the likely hood of standing out more of a threat.

I would be very interested in seeing what the output difference actually is and where it would put the vehicle on the emissions scale with and without the DPF/Tune to see exactly how much difference it really makes.

Bottom line, it's not legal and the fines are pretty big for screwing with the EPA

[jazd]

I'd feel bad about the pollution coming from an unfiltered diesel, and I'd also worry about getting picked up for it. Google seems to indicate the fine is somewhere over $10 000. There's no yearly pink slip inspection here in the ACT, but there is in NSW - how do you plan to get around that?

P.S. What effect has the delete had? I can live vicariously...

The smoke isn't bad at all, remember its still a modern diesel and runs quite clean. Also every other Mk5 doesn't have one either.

There is only a visual inspection and they wouldn't know what they were looking at anyway, its not replaced by a down pipe, I hollowed it out and welded it back up.

Revs much more freely at higher rpm now, thats the main difference.

Just wondering - if the DPF core has a big hole through it and is otherwise connected up, will the engine computer be happy? Use a cetane improver to reduce the smoke.

No the ECU would not be happy. You need to modify the ECU code and switch off the DPF function.

Been reading that ash can be reverse flushed out of a DPF, using water or hot water or pressure washer. Apparently Peugeot owners have been doing it for years. See for example Peugeot 406 Coupe - new methods of cleaning diesel particulate filter? | Technical matters | Back Room Forum | Honest John DPF Removal and Clean Guide - Peugeot Forums. Only hassle appears that the engine or subframe might have to be dropped to get the DPF out for a VAG TDI.

Looking at the internals of the DPF I don't really see any reason why you couldn't wash it out or blow out the ash. You do not have to remove the subframe to the the DPF out of a Mk5 Golf. I disconnected the front right drive shaft, that gave us enough room to drop it out the bottom.

Getting caught on the other hand is a whole different story. The pink slip tests do not currently include an emissions test so unless it's belching a pile of black smoke and the testing agent thinks it's "too much" it's unlikely to be questioned. Ditto for most other enforcement bodies... it is diesel after all... That said, things are changing and more and more diesel cars emit less and less smoke making the likely hood of standing out more of a threat.

Exactly, very unlikely to get caught.

[MidnightDog]

Hmm. Interesting. I don't have the skills to do a DPF-delete myself, but if I can't figure out any other way to get around this perhaps I'll look into it. The thought had occurred to me that visually there would be no way of knowing, but I didn't realise pink slips had no emissions test - seems pretty surprising to me that there's no real enforcement mechanism in place, given the size of the fine.

I guess for now I'll just try to get this sensor replaced and hope for the best. Sounds like that might require an investment in a cable and some VCDS software - perhaps I'd be able to run it through Boot Camp on my Mac. I'll post an update when something's happened.