DPF NO LONGER REGENERATING

[focusrite97]

Hi people.

2011 1.6 TDI A3 8P

**I had a stage 1 remap and EGR delete done in 2020**

Been having no end of problems with my DPF over the last month or so.

It started about a couple months when my car went into limp mode after the DPF light had been on for a couple days - I got a technician to come out and force regen it to which the light disappeared and all was well until the light came back on a week later (with no fault code showing when scanned - odd).

After driving round at high RPM it still wasn't budging, took it to the garage (went into limp mode on the way there) had the DPF chemically cleaned, engine temp sensor and DPF pressure sensor replaced to no avail as the light still shows and doesn't regenerate. It isn't blocked (yet) and all the parameters for regeneration are being reached but it just isn't doing so.

Rang the place I had my remap done to see if it could be anything to do with the ECU but they said that won't be the case.

 

I've booked in to have my ECU reverted back to factory settings to see if that will do anything but that won't be for another couple months so I'm trying not to drive it incase it goes into limp mode and causes more damage before then.

I've been advised to have the DPF removed and remapped but I'd rather not unless it's the only option left, could anyone advise any other things I could try before doing this?

Need to sort this out ASAP ideally as I have read continuous blockage/limp mode can damage the car even further.

Any help would be majorly appreciated!

Thanks in advance

 

Edited January 25, 2023 by focusrite97

[Steve Q]

I'm surprised the remapper didn't offer you to have the dpf deleted from the ECU at the same time. Even if the dpf was still in place. I'd say that the remapper is bound to deny that it's anything to do with what they've done. Was the remap ona rolling road? 

[cliffcoggin]

David.

If the DPF is genuinely blocking too soon, rather than there being a faulty sensor, there has to be a reason for it. See these videos by a very knowledgeable qualified engineer. You'll have forgive the heavy satire and "fruity" language in places.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcML0N5s9_8

 

 

[focusrite97]

@cliffcoggin

Hi Cliff,

Thanks for the links - the satire made it bearable 😂

It's more of a case of it not regenerating at all rather than it blocking too soon I believe.

Plus the fact the DPF light is on but not showing any fault codes lead us to believe there's something going on in the ECU, not too sure though.

 

In the second video he mentions the possibility of multiple other factors that could be the cause of the problem, rather than the actual DPF being faulty - one being leaky fuel injectors. This reminded me, last August I had to have a few injector seals replaced as they were a bit naff and could possibly have leaked fuel, is there anything I can check in regards to this to do with the DPF?

 

The video has furthermore put me off getting the DPF deleted also so would love to get to the bottom of this.

 

Many thanks!

[focusrite97]

@Steve Q

Yeah I did think they'd be bound to deny it.

I'm not sure what you mean by rolling road - It was done at Junction 28 remaps in Mansfield, quite reputable as far as I'm aware.

 

thanks

[Steve Q]

Worth seeing I'd they do. This is a rolling road, with my car on it. It allows to get a more accurate map tailored to the car

[focusrite97]

@Steve Q

Possibly mate not too sure , I just gave them the keys and waited in the reception if I'm remembering correctly.

Was done in 2020 so bit fuzzy. What could this have to do with my problem?

 

Thanks

[cliffcoggin]

14 hours ago, focusrite97 said:

@cliffcoggin

This reminded me, last August I had to have a few injector seals replaced as they were a bit naff and could possibly have leaked fuel, is there anything I can check in regards to this to do with the DPF?

 

David.

It depends which seals you mean. If the leak was external to the outside of the engine then it can not have contributed to excess soot in the DPF. On the other hand if the leak was internal then it may have caused the engine to run rich and choke the DPF. You have since rectified the injector problem so a regeneration should have cleared the DPF.

[focusrite97]

@cliffcoggin

 

Ah I see - thanks cliff.

Yeah my thoughts also seeing as the two problems were 6 months apart.

 

Is there any possibility the remap could be anything to do with it? I had a VAG mechanic tell me it smelled like it's running rich due to the remap.

And would it be worth getting someone to look at the points made by the fella in that video (MAF sensor, Inlet air leak, EGR valve)?

 

Thanks a lot 🙂

 

[Steve Q]

5 hours ago, focusrite97 said:

@Steve Q

Possibly mate not too sure , I just gave them the keys and waited in the reception if I'm remembering correctly.

Was done in 2020 so bit fuzzy. What could this have to do with my problem?

 

Thanks

Well a map that's not 100% tailored to the car could put more strain on the car. 

[cliffcoggin]

The remap could undoubtedly have been the cause of the problem if it was not matched exactly to the engine, which of course the remappers are not going to admit. The only way to prove the point is to revert to standard settings.

Equally it could be any of the other factors mentioned. They should all be investigated. That is going to be expensive if done by Audi; you would do better to find an independant VAG specialist.

Whatever the cause, running rich will block the DPF.

[Stevey Y]

5 hours ago, focusrite97 said:

@cliffcoggin

 

Ah I see - thanks cliff.

Yeah my thoughts also seeing as the two problems were 6 months apart.

 

Is there any possibility the remap could be anything to do with it? I had a VAG mechanic tell me it smelled like it's running rich due to the remap.

And would it be worth getting someone to look at the points made by the fella in that video (MAF sensor, Inlet air leak, EGR valve)?

 

Thanks a lot 🙂

 

Hi the problem all remaps have is, the person who wrote the software is probably a computer geek with no in depth knowledge of mechanics, the whole thing relies on an ancient equation that for more power you need more air and fuel, the map just adds more fuel as it can't add air as that setting is already set so in an ideal world you would fit a free flow air filter and a free flow exhaust with manifold to gain any extra power with benefits, the problem is no one knows if the new map has cancelled out some of the monitoring functions in the ECU, I think the VAG guy was right and its the over fuelling that is causing your problem, no point in charging off and looking for leaks and a dirty MAF you will be better off back as standard, if you think remaps are wonderful idea why don't Audi sell them as a service item they would make a fortune but no they would rather still build something that is reliable, the other thing is the source of the VAG emissions scandal the ECU programming was so advanced it recognised when the vehicle was on a rolling road and switched its own mapping to bring down the emissions, ask Steve Q what happened when the cars were remaped with a retrofit software, he worked for VAG.

Steve.

[hellsfire]

shouldve ripped out the DPF innerds and Then got the lights deleted when having the remap.