What's the score when it comes to tuning boxes / mapping. Its my understanding that the tuning is going to produce more soot which could shorten the life of the DPF. Has anyone seen any issues so far with this?

 

I'm tempted with a DTUK tuning box but don't want to end up doing any damage to it and I.m concerned that the lack of a proper tuned "map" will cause issues going forward. Does that sound about right?

 

In all honesty, a good remap by a company who really know what they are doing should keep the soot levels under control.

 

Obviously the DPF's life will be reduced somewhat as more power has to equal more exhaust gases through the filter, which has to equate to slightly more work for the DPF. This will increase the rate of ash buildup.

 

The big question is of course how big this increase will be. No one can give you an accurate figure, merely an educated guess based on the experience of other remapped DPF equipped cars. 

 

I would avoid the fuelling only tuning boxes like the plague, they force the engine to run rich, producing more power and plenty more soot! This will at best increase the frequency of DPF regeneration cycles and at worst, cause blockage issues with the pressure differential sensor. 

 

Even the fuel and boost controlling boxes aren't an ideal solution, as they can't provide an accurate map based on your specific engine. Usually, these boxes spoof the boost pressure and fuel rail pressure sensor signals so the ECU thinks they are lower, thus increasing the real boost and fuel pressures. 

 

Some people go down the route of gutting the core of the DPF or removing it altogether, but that's a conversation for another day. You pays yer' money and all that......

Even the fuel and boost controlling boxes aren't an ideal solution, as they can't provide an accurate map based on your specific engine. Usually, these boxes spoof the boost pressure and fuel rail pressure sensor signals so the ECU thinks they are lower, thus increasing the real boost and fuel pressures. 

 

Some people go down the route of gutting the core of the DPF or removing it altogether, but that's a conversation for another day. You pays yer' money and all that......

 

I've seen lots on the DPF removal services but I also understand that the MOT tests will soon change to catch out those people who have had their filter removed. It could add up to some expensive times for people "forced" into after buying an older diesel that doesn't deal with DPF regeneration effectively.

 

Think I'll just enjoy my RS for what it is - the risk of borking something mechanical or my DPF out balances the extra performance. Maybe I'll just get my bike license instead

I've seen lots on the DPF removal services but I also understand that the MOT tests will soon change to catch out those people who have had their filter removed. It could add up to some expensive times for people "forced" into after buying an older diesel that doesn't deal with DPF regeneration effectively.

 

Think I'll just enjoy my RS for what it is - the risk of borking something mechanical or my DPF out balances the extra performance. Maybe I'll just get my bike license instead

 

I'm just leaving everything stock from now on - bar the odd cosmetic tweak here and there. I have enough stress in my life without my car and its warranty adding to it. 

 

Eventually the regulations will change for MOT tests on DPF cars which will no doubt cause problems for some. 

 

I would say enjoy your car and go for the bike licence 

Anyone coming from an early MkII vRS (PD170) will have reason to be cautious over DPF's.

 

On the MkIII you will be fine.

Anyone coming from an early MkII vRS (PD170) will have reason to be cautious over DPF's.

 

On the MkIII you will be fine.

We got shot of our 2007 PD170 vRS just before the issues started appearing - thank god! 

As others have said, the new system used on the CR engines is well designed. Just don't panic if you get out of the car and it sounds like a helicopter at take off  The cooling fans go at full pelt if it's doing a regen and you switch the engine off.

So I may have problems with mine? I do about 6 miles twice a day on small country roads.

So I may have problems with mine? I do about 6 miles twice a day on small country roads.

 

Speaking to my friend who has a diesel jag which he only regularly does short trips in and if he gets the light he just takes the car for a spin on his local dual carriage way in sport and it sorts it. I know other people that do short trips and they do not have any issues either. I also had a hell of a good look on the Internet and DPF issues for the MK3 Octavia or Golf GTD are pretty rare from what I've found.

 

To be honest I am not as concerned as I used to be about the DPF as I initially had been.

Edited 23 January, 201610 yr by davitc

If you're at all concerned that your typical journey routine isn't DPF friendly, just take it for a longer drive at a reasonable speed up a decent bit of A road or MWay once in a while.

Be calm, the car will tell you if it isn't happy then react accordingly if it does.

I have not got an Octavia but do have a CR Fabia and do low miles.... zero issues in 5 years. As an aside on those who remove the DPF's.... i wonder how many will find their way into the used market when word comes out of an MOT change ! And how many unwary buyers of those cars will have zero clue it has no DPF...... at MOT time i guess !

On 13/01/2016 at 13:17, silver1011 said:

Anyone coming from an early MkII vRS (PD170) will have reason to be cautious over DPF's.

 

On the MkIII you will be fine.

 

On 13/01/2016 at 13:24, dstev2000 said:

We got shot of our 2007 PD170 vRS just before the issues started appearing - thank god! 

That's a shame I ran my 57 plate PD VRS TDI for nearly 100,000 miles and 9 years with only a faulty DPF sensor apart from that it was flawless!

 

 

I've now done nearly 7000 miles in her big sister and I've only noticed a regen once when I turned the car off and the fans were still running. Just drive it that's all I do without even considering the DPF or regens!