DPF Cleaning/Removal

brian_m

Folks,

The DPF in my 06 A4 TDI 170 is blocked up... my mechanic has tried soaking it in some cleaning agent overnight but it has not made any improvement. He feels it is past this process, I have been quoted 400 + vat by a South East company to either a) Recondition the DPF (fit new inside filter) b) remove the DPF and remap the ECU.

I am a bit reluctant to go down the remapping route as I have a feeling I could be left a dashboard like a Xmas tree and more problems than at present.

I would like to shop around for a few more cleaning/reconditioning offers, so if anyone knows of/has experience with any other companies that offer these services, much appreciated??

Gumbo

I would recommend Ben :

http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/showthread.php?t=37545

brian_m

kceire wrote: »

I would recommend Ben :

http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/showthread.php?t=37545

Ill have a look at that thanks

This crowd http://www.cats2u.co.uk can supply a new one for €590 (ex vat) delivered (1yr warranty), but given how cheap it is compared with a part from Audi I am a bit cautious..

shamwari

Make sure that there are no issues with the DPF differntial pressure sensor....they are very problematic on that engine and a damn site cheaper than a new DPF...

brian_m

shamwari wrote: »

Make sure that there are no issues with the DPF differntial pressure sensor....they are very problematic on that engine and a damn site cheaper than a new DPF...

Its coked up to the last... car would not rev past 1,100 rpm without cutting out, mechanic couldn't even blow an airline through it

shamwari

How did it get so bad? Where you driving it around with the EML on for some time?

brian_m

For the last few months I had a power hesitation problem which was causing intermittent limp mode and a lot of smoke puffs... got that fixed recently so I can only assume this contributed towards speeding it up along with a lot of short spin driving that I do and the fact shes now reached 100k miles, strange thing is the DPF symbol only came on for the first time the morning that the car choked up, would have expected a bit more warning tbh

shamwari

If your mechanic has the correct scan tool, he can run a "forced regeneration" to see if that unclogs the DPF. He should also be able to read the DPF pressures, soot content, and when the last regen was run from the lvie data.

Other remedies include washing out the DPF with a pressure washer and some sort of solution to dissolve the soot.

IMHO, replacing the DPF for €590 is probably the least worst option if you need to go that route. Audi parts are ridiculously expensive and the comparative cost of what you've been offered should not infer that what you are buying is of inferior quality.

Either way, replace that DPF pressure sensor if it is still the original one. Newer ones are a revised part.

brian_m

A forced regen is not possible as the car will barely tick over with the DPF on let alone rev to 2k rpm +....

The car was entering the auto regen itself no problems up to the day before she stopped (distinctive exhaust note change can be heard)

Ya, he had it soaking overnight in this new product special solution, didn't make an ounce of difference, gone past cleaning.

Don't talk to me about the price of Audi parts, ya i think 590 for a new unit versus 400 recon is a better option...

cheers for the replies

David09

Just out of interest, how much for a new one from a main dealer?

brian_m

David09 wrote: »

Just out of interest, how much for a new one from a main dealer?

951 + vat

* exchange basis

David09

brian_m wrote: »

951 + vat

zeesh!!!

The "delete" option might be the best. Perhaps try gather info from anyone who has similar car and has removed it. See what effects if any there are.

Citroen2cv

A man called Joe Power based in North Dublin has a DPF delete service. Consider getting the EGR deleted (if your car has one)at the same time.

Gumbo

Citroen2cv wrote: »

A man called Joe Power based in North Dublin has a DPF delete service. Consider getting the EGR deleted (if your car has one)at the same time.

Get the car remapped and DPF removed by joe is an option.
Excellent performance gains to be had from that

-Corkie-

kceire wrote: »

Get the car remapped and DPF removed by joe is an option.
Excellent performance gains to be had from that

+1 on Joe its the best option and op will not have any problems after..

Gary ITR

Citroen2cv wrote: »

A man called Joe Power based in North Dublin has a DPF delete service. Consider getting the EGR deleted (if your car has one)at the same time.

Unfortunately he's not in north Dublin.anymore. urban performance have closed but joe.is working from Couture Auto in.Dunboyne now. He's on holiday but should be back.in the coming days

shamwari

OP, just to add something to this and the seemingly total clogging of your DPF. I've been talking to someone who's done some work on a Fiat with a 1.9 diesel engine that experienced sudden and catastrophic clogging of the DPF. The car in question had some brief running faults before the DPF issue emerged. It turned out that there was an EGR fault which caused the clog up. You mentioned in your post that there were some problems that were sorted before the DPF acted up. Was it to do with the EGR valve, and are you sure that the EGR is ok?

brian_m

shamwari wrote: »

OP, just to add something to this and the seemingly total clogging of your DPF. I've been talking to someone who's done some work on a Fiat with a 1.9 diesel engine that experienced sudden and catastrophic clogging of the DPF. The car in question had some brief running faults before the DPF issue emerged. It turned out that there was an EGR fault which caused the clog up. You mentioned in your post that there were some problems that were sorted before the DPF acted up. Was it to do with the EGR valve, and are you sure that the EGR is ok?

The EGR was leaking slightly at its gasket which was sorted along with a new turbo (misdiagnosed as the problem) but the EGR itself was fine. The problem was traced to a cracked diaphragm in an actuator that controls a set of flaps on the inlet manifold (a €15 part...!).

The new DPF from the UK was not available until next week so due to time constraints I have decided to go with the reconditioning option, will let you know how I go, thanks.

brian_m

kceire wrote: »

Get the car remapped and DPF removed by joe is an option.
Excellent performance gains to be had from that

more power = new clutch, brakes + insurance woes, I was into the tuning craic when I was younger but I would rather just keep this one standard tbh
I can imagine the benefits though, restrictive sh1te technology

Darsad

There is a new DPF and EGR cleaning product from a German Company called Tunap ! Have used it on lots of DPFS and it has cleaned and cleared them all . It is also applied on the vehicle so no need to remove the DPF. It is expensive stuff aprox € 120 per application but it works and will clean the DPF back to like new. They have a Rep in Ireland if you want his details pm me .

Gumbo

brian_m wrote: »

more power = new clutch, brakes + insurance woes, I was into the tuning craic when I was younger but I would rather just keep this one standard tbh
I can imagine the benefits though, restrictive sh1te technology

Then dont get the DPF removed as the car has to be remapped/reprogrammed to suit the DPF being removed. Get it cleaned or replaced.

Darsad wrote: »

There is a new DPF and EGR cleaning product from a German Company called Tunap ! Have used it on lots of DPFS and it has cleaned and cleared them all . It is also applied on the vehicle so no need to remove the DPF. It is expensive stuff aprox € 120 per application but it works and will clean the DPF back to like new. They have a Rep in Ireland if you want his details pm me .

interesting, is it a DIY job or do you need specialist tools?

Darsad

Specialist application via removal of the front pressure or temperature sensor
see the below !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=selHRAydA6I

exador

Darsad wrote: »

There is a new DPF and EGR cleaning product from a German Company called Tunap ! Have used it on lots of DPFS and it has cleaned and cleared them all . It is also applied on the vehicle so no need to remove the DPF. It is expensive stuff aprox € 120 per application but it works and will clean the DPF back to like new. They have a Rep in Ireland if you want his details pm me .

I was going to mention this product and we have also used it with great results. I could recommend the guy very highly and he has worked in the business for over 3o years and have known him this long and is a top guy

brian_m

kceire wrote: »

Then dont get the DPF removed as the car has to be remapped/reprogrammed to suit the DPF being removed. Get it cleaned or replaced.



interesting, is it a DIY job or do you need specialist tools?

yes, as stated i am getting it reconditioned/new filter fitted to its inside, cheers