Gearheads wanted-diesel particulate filter (DPF)
 

I have a 2010 VW TDI 6 spd stick Sportswagon 140k miles. Like a Jetta. An error indicator has started lighting up about the filter needs service.

I have done a little internet searches with a lot of different options. Replacement is quite expensive. They list all sorts of additives in the gas to help prevent the soot build up.

Supposedly it builds up when running short trips where the engine doesn't get a chance to heat up to burn off the soot. The car doesn't get driven a lot, but when it does, it is for longer trips.

One idea was to run the car at high rpm for ~10 min to burn it up.?

What are some thoughts?

Additive? Run high rpm?

I used to work as a tractor trailer mechanic and still working in the trucking industry. The bill comes due when you're dealing with the aftertreatment system. Once enough ash builds up in there, it has to be replaced or cleaned, depending on what that DPF calls for. There's no magic trick to get out of this if it's already getting full. If there was, I promise that trucking companies would be doing it to save money.

Probably your fetzer valve.

That is what I was thinking. I don't know crap about diesels. Except you don't need sparkplugs:)

How pricey is the replacement filter?

There are ash cleaning processes involving either pneumatic air or targeted vibration. They are not always 100% effective.

I just did a 15 min drive at 4.5k rpm. Dunno if it will help.

I am hoping it can be comparable to a WAT (wide open throttle) thought process to clean fuel injectors.

I talked to an ex-VW mechanic that said we can take it to a VW dealership and have them to hook up to a computer that does a filter "regen". It takes 2 hours and they run the engine, hooked up to the computer, that runs the car hotter then you can drive it and regens the filter??

Most of the expertise on Chiefs Planet entails fake trips to Belize and licking a chick’s ASS

Performing a forced regen just burns the soot and converts it to fine ash that is then shot out the exhaust. However, that just buys you time, it doesn't remove all of the soot and ash. That stuff continues to just build up. You will still end up needed the filter removed and either cleaned and baked (if the filter is able to go through that process and isn't cracked, this various by manufacturer recommendation) or replace it outright. Unfortunately, there's no magic fix for this, no magic fuel additive or anything. Tractors (big rigs) use this system in their diesel engines and I have a whole shitload of experience dealing with it. When you are managing repairs for a 8000 truck fleet that is worth over a billion dollars brand new, you know what works and doesn't.

great point...

guess it is part of "doing business" on the good points of diesels and living with the bad.


Good god man, when can you not post a comment without any sexual innuendo. You do it constantly. I remember when I was 17 and had my first beer.

This thread was about DIESEL FILTERS for Christ sake, not licking ass.

Your juvenile sense of humor, to which you pride yourself, is, quite frankly embarrassing.

Yes, you get your chuckles with manly locker humor, but sometimes it gets stale and predictable.

Get out of your Mom's basement (of course that you did her last night).

I know what your response is going to be. I don't care.

I just lit the powder keg, this will be fun.

I was going to post, Google up running a regen.

That’s your best bet. Or replace the filter.

**** tier 4

I am going to talk to a VW dealership in N KC tomorrow and get the skinny. Not hopeful.


Love the car, but thinking fix it and get rid of it.

VW parts and service are quite expensive. Not a good car for the long term.

I am thinking, down the road to get a Subaru Outback.

New diesels have a whole host of hidden expenses, in addition to the fuel usually being expensive as ****, it's not worth it unless you're hauling stuff.

Understand. My question would come down to a small diesel car vs a big rig. Is there a difference? If all diesel car owners faced this expense at 140k, no one would buy a diesel car.