Cheers for the replies guys & yes i do take on board what you say & i have also consulted others regarding this 'sticky' problem & their views are the same as yours - that the warranty is there for that reason & lets face it, with a new concept of putting the TDi engine in the Vrs, then those of us who have them are surely doing the leg-work for Skoda by forwarding the niggly faults!!

Spoke too soon last night - PDF light came on AGAIN today.

Will be doing my longest run tomorrow of around 600 miles round-trip & hoping that nothing adverse will come of the light being on for such a long journey, although this may be the answer to getting the filter cleaned out fully?

Will be towing a boat to my destination at around 60 all the way there, but will be able to have a chance at some decent motorway alternatives on the way back.

Will let you know my findings the day after, if anything occurs -

John.

Hi All,

I know of the recall on the Glow plug relays, but am noticing in your posts "of driving at about 50mph" to clear the DPF light that you're not saying that its been done at high revs? which is my understanding of sorting it).

Btw Dublin traffic and the DPF = light on!

This might be a stupid question, but can the VRS diesel be ordered without the DPF? Or is it an integral part of the engine? I ask because I noticed that in a VW brochure there is a disclaimer saying that DPF equipped engines might not be suitable for city driving and short journeys and I think that DPF might be cost option on the 170 PDI Passat but I can't remember for sure.

Ridiculous, next they'll be putting disclaimers on Fabias saying 'not suitable to be left out in the rain'

I simply cant believe they can't sort this out. It's not a new engine, it's not a new chassis, it's just a diesel engine in a car with a sportier suspension, there is no reason why it shouldn't be ok. especially as all EuroIV cars will have DPF filters on them, and that all new cars will have to meet this standard.

Still, I guess the government would love it - 'Cars.... only for driving on motorways (probably toll ones too)'

I checked it out to be sure, this is lifted from the Passat Estate brochure (I nearly remembered it right!):

"Please note, driving conditions within inner-cities and the Channel Islands do not

provide optimum conditions for the use of DPF technology. Therefore, it is advised that

you consider this before ordering your vehicle with DPF."

Look like I was talking rubbish about it being an option on VWs, oh well...

Okay, help and suggestions please - 2nd problem just occurred today...............

Went visiting some friends today who were most impressed with my car and i opened the bonnet to show the engine off - only to find that the oil dip-stick had risen by about half an inch and there was quite a bit of oil spattering around the plastic cover and some on the the bonnet sound-proofing!!

Whilst i have at least checked my oil on occasions, i always remember to fit the stick back into it's holder properly.

Is there any reason/s or cause as to why this has happened??

BAFFLED ME.

John

The same thing happened to me. :eek: I had the dealer have a look when she was in to have the old glow plug problem sorted. He told me that it could be the "high pressure in a new engine" thing, but checked anyway. It turned out that the engine cover was loose. When it moved, it made the dip stick pop out. Stupid thing to overlook on the PDI, I know, but there you go.

As for the PDF, mine came on about 6 wees ago. I was mortified! This fine machine demands to be driven! And here was I driving her like my father would. I nosed her for the nearest moterway and gave her what she wanted . The light went off after about a mile.

I know this is a new car and most people want to"run it in". But, my dealer, who drives the same car, told me that it doesn't need to be. just make sure that it's warm. Driving at 60-70mph for 300 miles in 6th is as bad as short journeys. :revs:

As it says on the no expence spared piece of card on the spare key, "the automatic cleaning of the partical filter can be assisted by your particular style of driving". :auto:

You shouldn't have to do it, but I always find going up steep hills as fast as possible, making as much black smoke as possible clears em out better than any motorway run!

I thought the dpf was about eliminating the black smoke?

I've seen the same problem with F**ds as my old used to work for them. The dpf needs a good clean out once a week or the ecu plays up. A good thrash in a couple of gears going onto the motorway should sort it out.

If it helps there appears to be an opinion developing with the Superbs with DPF problems that you need to keep the revs up to keep the dpf clear so when cruising slowly dont run in a high gear at 1500 rpm, use a lower gear, it might be worth a try on the Octy.

It really grates me when you buy a car for economy & then have to waste fuel keeping it running, if its the same as the Superbs you cant use biodiesel either, another great win for the enviroment.

Either way I agree that a new car should behave, If Skodas attitude is the same as it with the superb they will do nowt & if you are not happy they suggest you take it up with the dealer & take whatever legal action you see fit with him.

i don't have a vrs but i own a tdi and to keep it exhaust clean i reeved 3000+ when the engine it is warm and the road permit this

i presume to do the same with this dpf filter in order to burn the particle

but in the city trafic and jam ? don' know

probably this engine is not suitable for slow driving

My dealer was at pains to point out the need to clear the DPF by driving regularly ata constant speed with higher revs.....havent had the DPF light on yet....( and like the excuse to drive it properly:cool: )

I have had the Glowplug relay fault though..AA reset it first time then when it came on again the dealer replaced the relay with a Bosch one and touch wood no further problems:thumbup:

'Sorry officer, but I was clearing out my DPF filter, obvioulsy you'll be waiving the points and fine'

Well done Skoda!!

'Sorry officer, but I was clearing out my DPF filter, obvioulsy you'll be waiving the points and fine'

Well done Skoda!!

I suspect the officer's will be doing the same

I suspect the officer's will be doing the same

Behind you, just to make sure you are venting the soot, while utilising the additional lighting pack they have installed for increased visibility.

Has anyone thought of taking the DPF out and hotwiring the sensor (or something) to confuse the ECU. You surely don't HAVE to have a DPF yet, they are optional on the new Fabia and optional on the 3 series BMWs.

Of course once the DPF has been removed it would make tuning/remapping a degree more simple.

Has anyone thought of taking the DPF out and hotwiring the sensor (or something) to confuse the ECU. You surely don't HAVE to have a DPF yet, they are optional on the new Fabia and optional on the 3 series BMWs.

Of course once the DPF has been removed it would make tuning/remapping a degree more simple.

When I had my last car unichipped by Dastek it was one of the first cars to use there new fly by wire version of the unichip. At the time I was thinking about remooveing the 2 pre cats which where in both down pipes on the engine, the have o2 sensors on the and play havock with the ecu. Dastek told me however that there new drive by wire unichip has enough peramiters to be able to sent a variable signal back to the ecu from the sensors and fool it thinking they were still there. They do this quite alot on Jap turbos when they fit exhaust from the turbo back and take out the cats. I'm sure something like this would do the same job on the dpf

Has anyone thought of taking the DPF out and hotwiring the sensor (or something) to confuse the ECU. You surely don't HAVE to have a DPF yet, they are optional on the new Fabia and optional on the 3 series BMWs.

Of course once the DPF has been removed it would make tuning/remapping a degree more simple.

The DPF is built into the CAT on the PD170.

The DPF is built into the CAT on the PD170.

Darn it! That puts paid to that idea. :(

Some Fords with this dpf have a seprate container which pumps a liquid into the dpf and needs refilled every service does the skoda system work like this?

Not on the PD170 IIRC, but the superb 2.0 TDI PD140 uses a similar system.

The additive is there to raise the temps of the exhaust as the DPF is too far away from the engine for the temperatures to be high enough to allow a regenerative burn off. (There are also other reasons).

What i never understood is why not just use a glow plug type device to warm the DPF prior to burn off?