Diesel DPF help

Indout96

Just after a little advice as there is quite a bit of conflicting info on the internet (what a suprise)
I have just bought a VW Passat 2.0 TDI (58 plate) to replace my Tigra which was having quite expensive problems. I went diesel as in the next 6 months I will be starting to travel quite a bit with my new job so the DPF should be fine then BUT how do I keep it OK until then.
My average commute at the moment is only 5 miles each way to the office and slightly longer trips on weekends which I know is not good for the DPF. Looking online it is telling me to take it out on the motorway for around 20 miles at over 2.5k revs if the warning light comes on. would this be enough to clear it ? I assume tis means driving along in 4th gear as 2k in 6th is just over 70mph.
I know waiting 6 months would have been the best option but facing a possible very large bill on the Tigra put that out of the question. (VX said anything between £200 and £1800)
Any advice would be helpfull.

Notmyrealname

You'll not kill it in 6 months.

fivetide

Bus?

Other public transport? Might save you some hefty bills if there is a decent link nearby!

5t.

Valvoltec

Hi I am told that this is the answer as a preventative and cure, https://www.cleanmyengine.co.ukI have been looking for a Local vehicle with problems for a demo,if it works as claimed could solve a lot of problems.

jaydeeuk1

Told by who? The owner of cleanmyengine.co.uk?! If diesels are driven properly and buyers actually read up on how to look after a diesel before purchase rather than blindly looking at mpg figures, then the number of DPF related threads on here would halve or more.

pinkteapot

If I were you, I'd take it out for a 20 minute motorway blast once a month if that's possible. Probably far more often than is necessary but as it's only for six months I figure better to be safe than sorry.

We have a Mondeo which usually gets a good long run every weekend but if it goes a few weeks without one then we make a point to take it out.

The main point with the DPF regeneration is that it needs to be constantly above 2,000-2,500 revs (advice seems to vary within this range on exactly how high) for 20 minutes or so. So, if you're on a dual carriageway in heavy speed up/slow down traffic then it won't help. You need a clear run.

We do drive in 5th instead of 6th deliberately once in a while, just to make sure it occasionally gets a run at high revs. To reach 2,500RPM in 6th means driving at 85+ mph!

We just had our car serviced and they said the DPF is in fine condition. The scare stories online are probably a bit exaggerated. There was someone on Watchdog complaining when their 18 month old car died because its DPF clogged, but they lived in a city and never drove on the open road.

A couple of weeks before our service we drove to my mum's - half an hour away. When we arrived there was a really strong smell of burning coming from under the bonnet which was alarming. I mentioned it on the service as it had never done it before or again since. They said it was probably the DPF regenerating - if you happen to stop the car and get out when it's mid-cycle you can smell it.

Indout96

Thanks Guys

If I were you, I'd take it out for a 20 minute motorway blast once a month if that's possible.

Thats what I was thinking of doing, looks like I was on the right track. 20 mins will be no problem, I'm sure I can think of a reason to go to our Goole plant for a couple of runs at least. :rotfl:

Valvoltec

jaydeeuk,Oh sorry mate,thought you might go on to tell us all in great length what the people are doing wrong,then.
I am one of the poor folk who after plugging in my equipment,has to tell, usually the second owner that they need expensive repairs to fix the car.
If the number of postings on virtually every forum are an indication of the reliability and durability of these vehicles in an average motorist drive cycle,then it seems the technology is flawed.
If a diagnostic manufacturer,with good reputation,launches a product outside its normal range,and that it own engineers have been amazed at the results,and that may save the expense of a turbo/repair is it something that at least half the people having problems on this forum might want to know.
My own old fashioned vehicle runs on a flammable liquid called petrol,I find it is cheaper to buy,I may use a little more,but when it stops I can afford to mend it,using simple hand tools that are readily available.
Its reasonably obvious that many of the owners are also unaware of the additional cost of maintaining there vehicles as well as how to drive them properly.
From the ignition key to the exhaust they can not mend or afford to replace what goes wrong.

harveybobbles

Too many people buy diesel "because they are economical..." but then only do about 15,000 miles a year...

Destination_..._?

If these people new what Dpf in diesels engines did and how it works and the type of driving and usarequired sins for should put many people off .
If that does not work change their mind by mention the cost of replacing of them .

Strider590

Destination_..._? wrote: »

If these people new what Dpf in diesels engines did and how it works and the type of driving and usarequired sins for should put many people off .
If that does not work change their mind by mention the cost of replacing of them .

Meh, people's ignorance always has been and always will a great money spinner. The car manufacturers are onto a winner for as long as people keep spreading the word that diesel is always best.

Mercs are well built
VW's are the most reliable
Diesel's are the cheapest to run

All false statements when considering long term or 2nd hand ownership. But they are pieces of social gossip, which will take a VERY long time to kill off.