This topic has probably been discussed before but as I am quite new to the forum I wondered if anyone could advise me on my problem. I have a 1.6 greenline and have noticed that the dpf is re-generating about once a week.The warning light came on a few days ago but went off after a few miles at 50mph. I do know I should have bought a petrol model as most of my mileage is around town.Obviously I burn more fuel when it is re-generating and I am now considering having the dpf filter mesh removed.Any thoughts please.

If you have the DPF remove it will probably fail it's next MOT as they are getting more aware of this being done and checking more, then you will have a big bill for a new one, just give it a high rev run once a week to burn it out.

Yep, don't remove it. It is antisocial, illegal and will likely make you fail your MOT. When it comes to trade in, the dealer can also check it and refuse to take it.

I use my 140 TDI on short runs about 3 miles a trip, so I have found that it is better if I stay in 4th gear, this warms up the engine more quickly.

Over the 3 years I have had the Yeti I have learnt changing up to 5th and then 6th gear just swamps the the engine, OK the fuel is brunt but it just creates too much fuel going through to the DPF that has not warmed up properly.

 

After that I do change up to 5th, I try to leave off using the 6th gear unless the engine warms up and going for a long run.

 

So this helps the DPF as it only regens once every month, short runs 35.00 mpg long runs 48 mpg.

How many miles are you covering in a week?

 

Mine regens every 200-250 miles or so, which for me is almost twice a week - but this seems to be fairly typical (except that it happens so unobtrusively, many people won't notice it) so it's not too much of a concern. 

Not sure what your problem is? The DPF is supposed to regen. This means it's working normally. I would be more worried if it wasn't! Sure, it uses a tiny bit of fuel when it does it but not enough that you should be worrying about it.

Cheers

Rog

Run it up and down the M1 for a couple of miles at 70 mph, in 4th gear, every time you go to Meadowhall.

The DPF is supposed to regen. This means it's working normally. 

True - but the OP did mention he'd had the warning light on, which isn't normal.

If you do decide to remove the DPF make sure you use a reputable company that removes the internals of the DPF but leaves the outer shell in place, thus eliminating the current MOT concerns.

 

It is also important to make sure the mapping is correct so that the DPF is completely coded out to prevent further issues.

 

You should also check with your insurance company too, this would be classed as a modification to the car, one that affects it's emissions and one that most insurance companies won't entertain.

 

I would seriously consider swapping the 1.6 TDi for a 1.2 TSi.

 

Regular regens aren't an issue. However if you've seen the DPF light then your driving style and the car are struggling to meet the minimum requirements needed to successfully clear the DPF. Unless something changes the situation will only get worse.

 

Personally I would sit tight for a little longer. You might never see the DPF light again. However if it becomes a regular occurance I'd be looking to take action sooner rather than later before the DPF reaches a point where it drops the car into limp-home mode which requires a dealer visit and a forced regeneration.

 

From this point forwards it's often a slippery downhill slope to a completely blocked/failed DPF.

Edited 2 December, 201411 yr by silver1011

I have covered 4,000 miles from new and my mileage is low at about 8,000 a year. I tow a small van for 1,500 to 2,000 of that so went with the diesel engine route again. My journeys tend to be either the 5 mile trip to work, or a 100 to 250 mile run every month or so. I am surprised at how easily the regen is taking place. On my drive to work over the last month I have had the regen twice, the fans running by the time I get there and continuing as I walk away, with an the engine that is obviously not even hot.I am relieved to see this is happening after a slight apprehension of staying with a diesel engine and the dpf's that are now fitted.

 

I wonder, is my experience typical, or am I being lucky.

 

Colin

Not every regen needs to be successful.

 

The DPF has sensors on each side, measuring the difference in pressure. When the pressure is enough (and other key parameters are met) it triggers a regen.

 

However there are also other inputs that will trigger a regen regardless of the pressure, mileage for example.

 

It sounds to me as though your car is able to clear it's DPF given your current driving style.

 

The only time to ever be concerned is when you see the DPF warning light appear, refer to the manual and have to take the car for a run to clear it.

 

This should be taken as a warning that things need to change to ensure the continued reliability of the DPF.

I know that my usage pattern isn't ideal for the DPF.  However, in my four years of ownership I've seen the warning light twice, and both times it's cleared after following the procedure recommended in the manual.  I've probably noticed the normal (ie not requiring any intervention from me) regen cycle occurring no more than a dozen times in those four years - I'm sure it happens more frequently than that but it's barely noticeable most of the time.  As eribaMotters says, a regen is most noticeable when it doesn't complete before you arrive at your destination: the fans keep running after you turn the ignition off and sometimes there's a slight burning smell from the exhaust.

 

IMO the time to start worrying is if the warning light comes on frequently.  If it doesn't clear after following the recommended procedure then I'd get it to a dealer sharpish before it has a chance to go in to limp mode.

 

Based on my experience, though, I'd say the occasional noticeable regen and the odd rare appearance and successful clearance of the warning light are not causes for concern.

 

I wonder, is my experience typical, or am I being lucky.

 

Colin

Same as my 2WD was Colin.

 

Fred

Thank you for all the replies. I really do appreciate them.I think on reflection I should have gone for a 1.2 as my anual mileage is about 4000. I love the car and don't want to move it on. I still haven't decided about Dpf removal but have contacted three specialists who categorically say the car will not fail the mot. As you have said I will wait and see how it goes. Once again thank you to all concerned.

Whether it fails the MoT or not, it will still be pumping carcinogenic airborne particles into the air that you, and more importantly I, breathe.

Whether it fails the MoT or not, it will still be pumping carcinogenic airborne particles into the air that you, and more importantly I, breathe.

 

Exactly. Don't be so selfish - think of others. DPF's are fitted to cars for good reason.

Exactly. Don't be so selfish - think of others. DPF's are fitted to cars for good reason.

Not half as selfish as vehicle manufacturers generally, if you read this:

http://www.transportenvironment.org/press/new-petrol-engines-cause-more-air-pollution-dirty-diesels

Not half as selfish as vehicle manufacturers generally, if you read this:

http://www.transportenvironment.org/press/new-petrol-engines-cause-more-air-pollution-dirty-diesels

Is that report for real?

" 1000 times more particles than a conventional petrol,and 10 times more than a new Diesel "....

It's no wonder some people are sceptical and remove DPF's.

Petrol particulate filters are coming, too. But they are unlikely to be near as expensive or problematic as diesel ones (partly as petrol burns so hot anyway).

Not half as selfish as vehicle manufacturers generally, if you read this:

http://www.transportenvironment.org/press/new-petrol-engines-cause-more-air-pollution-dirty-diesels

 

You can't blame the manufacturers.  They are simply working within the constraints of the legislation.  PM emissions are limited under the EURO emissions norms but only those down to a certain size.  Research has shown that GDIs produce far smaller PM, which is undoubtedly more harmful to lungs.  However, it is not legislated and it is expensive to overcome.  Let's also remember that GDI was developed to overcome other issues, such as fuel economy, CO2 and NOx emissions.

Removing a DPF wouldn't affect my conscience in any way.

 

Come to York and sit behind one of the many dilapidated open-topped sight-seeing busses that pootle in convoy round the city centre with no-one on board 7 days a week.

 

A handful of modern cars on the road minus their DPF's would likely equate to a 30 second stint on tick-over of just one of these busses.

 

I'm all for improving the air we breath for everyone's benefit but to chastise a member for removing their DPF is a little extreme.

 

It seems like the focus needs to be on adding filters to petrol's and not the odd occasion where they are removed from diesels for improved reliability.

Thanks for that.I only mentioned I might have the Dpf removed. Perhaps I should move to the U.S. India or China.Would'nt be a problem then.

I think you'll find the US is even stricter on that. And it would have an Adblue tank too.

 

On the flipside, DPFs have to be covered by manufacturer warranty for I think its 8 years, due to their emissions laws.

An 8 year warranty on the DPF?

 

What a great idea, problem solved, absolutely no reason to remove it then.

 

It's rare I know but sometimes the US really do demonstrate how sometimes we need to grow a set, especially VOSA (or whatever they call themselves these days), they really are an embarrassment.