Newbie Amarok V6

[Lucas_R]

My Amarok is at the dealer getting fixed for the 6th time since delivered with the same issue. Done 51,000km. Goes straight into limp mode with little (a couple of seconds) or no DPF warning light. Got the scanner dongle and here is what I've noticed:

• The DPF active regeneration is triggered by the value ‘soot mass calculated’. This value is made up of the ‘soot mass measured’ and presumably other measurements like mass flow and temperature. When the ‘soot mass measured’ is more than 10g away from ‘soot mass calculated’ the latter jumps up to the ‘measured’ level ignoring all other calculation factors. Normally ‘soot mass calculated’ jumps to a level where active regeneration is triggered. However when ‘soot mass calculated’ is near the active regeneration level I suspect ‘soot mass calculated’ jumps through the active regeneration level straight into limp mode.
• The active regeneration is very efficient. Doesn’t matter if you are idling, or driving on the freeway, soot mass is reduced. Driving faster does reduce soot mass quicker, although regardless of car driving profile DPF soot is reduced successfully.
• Our Amarok never gets hot enough to passively regenerate. Soot mass is always accumulated regardless of driving profile. Highway driving or toddling around the suburbs requires active regeneration about every 250-300km.
• Active regeneration occurs regardless of fuel tank level. I’ve seen active regens with less that ¼ tank of fuel. I’ve seen the car go straight to limp mode with a near full tank of fuel.

VW say that driving profile and fuel tank level are the problem, but from what I have witnessed this simply isn’t true.

Hmm. My car pretty much only ever does active regens (except for a few times when I have been on the highway), once the soot mass calc is around 20-22grams which is about every 500km’s for me. The regen on my car will not take place if fuel level is below 1/4 tank, oil temp is below 80 degrees celsius or if there are any engine lights on the dash. So i fuel up once a week regardless of how much i have in the tank to avoid the low fuel level issue. You need to drive for a good 15 mins to reach an oil temp of 80+ degrees.

Once a regen starts, it doesnt matter if you are idling or pottering around or on the highway, the regen will take place ONLY stopping if you turn the car off in which case you will hear the engine thermo fans running like crazy and you may smell a funny smell from the exhaust.

Also note that if your DPF exceeds 100% full and it needs to do a regen but any of the above mentioned parameters are not met, it will shortly after go into a limp mode with the glow plug flashing on your dash. This situation will require a forced regen by a mechanic to rectify.

What are you using to monitor the regens? I would highly recommend an app called VAGDPF on Android which is made specifically for VW/Audi/Skoda diesels. The app costs $5.

You will need to use this app with an OBD tool such as Carista which costs $46. This app is great and i check mine once a week or so to keep track of when my DPF filter is nearing 100% and so i know to take it for a good drive and let it do a complete regen. The app tells you when a regen starts and when it finishes too.

Have a read of this: VAG DPF app on Android to monitor DPF