Audi UK struggling with DPF fault, costs rising!

S

Stressedparent

Registered User
Joined
Mar 6, 2014
Messages
7
Reaction score
4
Points
1
Location
NULL
Hi, I write this in the hope that an experienced Audi mechanic or an enthusiast might be able to help. The problem is with my son's Audi A3 2.0 TDI 170 Quattro which was taken into an Audi dealership after the DPF light came on and then went into limp mode when the DPF would not regenerate. Audi attempted to carry out a forced regeneration but found that the DPF was too clogged with soot. A new DPF was fitted along with a sensor but the warning light re-appeared the following day so the car was returned to Audi. After an inspection, Audi suggested that the problem would be due to one of three sensors, I do not know which three exactly but Audi told my son that they would fit the parts in the order in which they thought would be most likely to fix the problem. This was at my son's cost and he was told that the parts cannot be removed once fitted. The fault remained after all three items had been fitted. The next suggestion was to examine the insides of the engine which unfortunately revealed a worn turbo, a cracked cylinder head and damage to some valves which have also now been replaced. Audi have tested the car on a long journey and guess what? Yes, the DPF light came on and the DPF would not regenerate, apparently due to not reaching a high enough temperature. There is now talk of a new ECU being required! Is it possible for the existing ECU to be reset/reprogrammed instead of being replaced? Does anyone have any idea what might prevent the DPF from reaching a high enough temperature to allow regeneration? Have any readers had any similar experiences? If so, how was the problem resolved? My son is at the end of his tether and his Mother and I do not know how to help him other than telling him to trust the might and knowledge of Audi. This is turning out to be flawed and costly advice.
Any suggestions/ideas would be most welcome. Thanks for taking the time to read this.
 
Hi what year is it pd engine or cr and what miles is on the car if its quite new and audi cant fix id b tempted to look at legal advice looks like an exspensive bill. I too have the same car and am getting more concerned with these dpf storys
 
ROB 1 said:
Hi what year is it pd engine or cr and what miles is on the car if its quite new and audi cant fix id b tempted to look at legal advice looks like an exspensive bill. I too have the same car and am getting more concerned with these dpf storys
Click to expand...

dont people just remove the DPF seriously ? if not mistaken ive seen a few guys on here just remove as it is a restriction
 
Some companies remove and re weld so it looks oem mot only visual inspection so should pass suppose it's the risk u take
 
That will not work, once the new ultrasonic detection device comes into use.
 
Hi guys, thanks for the responses. The car is a 2008 model with 110,000 miles with complete Audi history, I don't know whether it is a CR or PD engine. My son went with Audi's advice regarding the DPF which was to replace it and yes, it is becoming expensive although to be fair to Audi, they have shown some goodwill and offered a discount. I just can't see how or why they are struggling with the problem what with diagnostics, previous experience and their own technical department. It's not as if this is an isolated case!
 
The problem with Audi, is they have little understanding of how the system works, and rely on their diagnostic machine to tell them what to do.

As an example, sensor wise - I would log and analyse the data from each sensor and from that I'd know whether they were working correctly. Most of the time, when a DPF is replaced the light will come back on fairly quickly. This is because the engine is likely not running as it came out of the factory, and not burning as cleanly. This soot/smoke may look slight to the eye but will quickly block up a DPF. It sounds like Audi have done some work to try and make sure the engine is running properly, but it should be inspected without the DPF fitted to ensure no smoke is being produced.

I find it hard to believe the ECU needs replacing, it can have all it's DPF related systems reset. Do you know if they are trying to carry out another forced regen? if so, it points to another problem as a brand new DPF car should not need a forced rege.

Thanks, Rick, Unicorn Motor Developments.
 
  • Like
Reactions: warren_S5, c_w, sidibear and 1 other person
Hi Rick, thanks for the reply. I have not had an update today, the last i heard, Audi were checking wiring and connections and waiting for some feedback from their technical team. Testing without the DPF fitted makes sense and its good to know that the ECU can be reset, I will pass this on to my son so that he can suggest this to Audi. Thanks again.
 
From my experience Audi dont know their **** from their elbow! Id recommend taking it to an independent VAG specialist.
 
  • Like
Reactions: warren_S5
I hope they gave your son the old parts that have been deemed damaged i.e. turbo, cylinder head etc... I would take these to a specialist and get their opinion as stated above, they often don't know these cars as well as you think and rely on the computer to advise them!
 
I can't help unfortunately, but I've always felt that the consumer should be protected against the guesswork that is often used by dealers/mechanics, I can't think of many other services that can just keep charging you for their inaccurate guesses. There's really no incentive for them to get it right first time, I do wonder if there's a test case in this sort of thing somewhere.

They advertise themselves as having knowledge that is second to none, so that comes with an implied skill and care that doesn't seem to be prevalent, it shouldn't really be up to the customer to underwrite their lack of knowledge, especially on expensive parts like DPF's.

I wonder what would have happened if you'd told them to refit the old one at their cost when it became apparent that wasn't the fault...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Stressedparent
Never take an out of warranty car to a dealer IMO. They will, as you have unfortunately found, just throw YOUR money at it without apparent risk as they clumsily work through all the parts they can think of replacing without actually knowing what they're doing. As above, despite what the classy showroom, on hold phone patter says, and professional appearance suggests they don't really know what to do if computer says "no".

I would definitely recommended seeking compensation for this as it is not fair to be advised that it's "this" or "that" and then it's not.

I would also recommend removing the DPF, having it gutted so it looks stock and having it mapped out.

On an 08 I would say it's a PD engine?
 
  • Like
Reactions: warren_S5, Artimus, Stressedparent and 1 other person
nluk100 said:
I hope they gave your son the old parts that have been deemed damaged i.e. turbo, cylinder head etc... I would take these to a specialist and get their opinion as stated above, they often don't know these cars as well as you think and rely on the computer to advise them!
Click to expand...

I did wonder about the possibility of the sensors and even the DPF being replaced unnecessarily but the damage/wear to the turbo and head, etc was shown via a video attachment sent to my son's email.
 
Good news! My son's car has been fixed and all seems well.
Bad news! A new ECU was required.
More good news! The cost of the replaced sensors has been waived and a good discount given on the overall bill.
Thanks to all those who replied.
Slightly less stressed parent.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Artimus, veeeight, y2kcurran and 1 other person
Glad you got it running and its back on the road. Also glad you got some discount.

I always find it amazing how many people still obsess on forums about full main dealer service history like it's some badge of honour. You then read threads like this where something mildly technical happens that is beyond the realms of a simple diagnostics 'pass/fail' and the main dealers start ******* in the wind. It's not unusual that these 'Master Technician fronted' service centres are playing roulette with forum members money as they cherry pick where to go next. I'd agree with the comments above, particularly out of warranty window, the indy network regularly shows far greater depth of understanding / competence and will likely resolve issues faster and for less money.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Artimus and london jay
I had new front discs and pads fitted to my old A4, after ~1000 miles I suffered bad vibration on braking at speeds from ~30 through 80mph.
We measured the run out with a dial test indicator and found they had warped. I took the car to Derby Audi and spoke with their Master Technician whose comment was "whats a Dial Test Indicator, how do you use one and how did you determine the discs are warped".
What was beyond belief was the fact that they swapped two further pairs of discs onto the car, threw them away because they showed signs of warpage only to find dirt between the disc and hub faces causing the effect of warping!
 
Yes , lesson learned. I think it's time to find a good indie, can anyone recommend a good one in the Sussex/Surrey area?
 
Thanks PetrolDave, I'm down that way too so it's good to know there's someone decent locally...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Patrico777
Dpf fault
Replies
35
Views
2K
Patrico777
Patrico777
RedDejavu
TTE420 UK dealers, price & fitting costs please?
Replies
7
Views
1K
nluk100
nluk100
audicruiser
Struggling with RNS-E retrofit
Replies
6
Views
1K
audicruiser
audicruiser
Arkious
Struggling with RNS-E issues
Replies
2
Views
712
Arkious
Arkious
grizza1978
Coilovers rising!!!
Replies
0
Views
468
grizza1978
grizza1978
Top
Back