Hello all,

 

I am so fed up with my Octavia. Maybe someone on here can diagnose my problem. I’ll try and be brief…

 

Bought my 2009 Octavia II 1.6TDi a year ago, 105k miles / 170k km on clock. Apart from the disappointing fuel economy (around 39mpg / 7.2L/100km) and a little unsteady idling on cold start, it was fine.

About 6 months later I started seeing occasional white smoke bellowing out from the exhaust accompanied by hesitant/uneven acceleration. Local garage serviced it but couldn’t find any particular reason for the smoke. 2 weeks later smoke came back.

Took it to a diesel engine specialist. They replaced the EGR valve (at considerable cost). 2 weeks later smoke came back. They suggested possible problem with DPF filter.

Did lots of long drives, but smoke kept coming back. Saw the DPF warning light just once. Got the DPF cleaned at a specialist (removal, cleaned in a special machine, reinstalled). 2 weeks later “Engine Fault” warning, but no smoke.

Took it to Skoda garage, they said throttle valve needed cleaning/changing. Cleaning didn’t solve it so they replaced it. 2 weeks later smoke came back!

 

I can clear the smoke by taking the car on a motorway for a while. I know it’s okay again when I stop the car and the idling speed ticks down to about 800rpm - if it doesn’t and stays at around 1000rpm I know it’s not happy yet.  I assume this is going to keep happening until the source of the problem is found and sorted.  I hope it’s not a bad DPF as I’m told they are really expensive, some 2000EUR, and I’ve already spent a fortune on the damn car.  Any ideas what’s up with it?

 

Thanks

I'd use VCDS or the VAG DPF app to see if the white smoke is only happening during a DPF regen. If it is, I'd probably start by getting the injectors checked as unburnt fuel can cause white smoke.

 

Coolant loss is another common cause for white smoke, does it loose any coolant or oil? Is there any signs the two are mixing?

48 minutes ago, langers2k said:

I'd use VCDS or the VAG DPF app to see if the white smoke is only happening during a DPF regen. If it is, I'd probably start by getting the injectors checked as unburnt fuel can cause white smoke.

 

Coolant loss is another common cause for white smoke, does it loose any coolant or oil? Is there any signs the two are mixing?

Thanks. Well, it doesn't seem to be losing coolant or oil. I'm guessing it's only happening during a DPF regen, but I don't really know how often it does one. Every so many miles? Or when soot levels are at a certain value? Bit of a mystery to me.

The injectors were checked, and there's never been anything on the diagnostics that points to the injectors. That's what the garages told me. Would a faulty injector definitely register during diagnostics?

17 hours ago, Rabbitboy said:

Apart from the disappointing fuel economy (around 39mpg / 7.2L/100km)

 

15 hours ago, langers2k said:

I'd probably start by getting the injectors checked as unburnt fuel can cause white smoke.

 

Would that answer the poor fuel economy also???.............Hopefully 'two birds with one stone', eh.

 

Pity it's cost you already. Hope you sort it.

29 minutes ago, Tilt said:

Would that answer the poor fuel economy also???.............Hopefully 'two birds with one stone', eh.

 

That was certainly my thought

 

@Rabbitboy - when you say checked, do you actually mean removed and tested or just assumed they are 'OK' because there are no fault codes? First step is to narrow down when this smoke is occurring and what it is rather than assuming.