What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

Why does the DPF light on my 2011 Volkswagen Golf TDI keep coming on after the emissions fix?

I have a 2011 Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI Bluemotion. The DPF light was coming on after the emissions fix was done so I went to the dealer but the same problem reappeared after two weeks. However, this time the engine and glow plugs lights also came on and I couldn't do any more than 2000rpm. It went to the dealer for a second time and they did another fix but today the DPF light is on again.

Asked on 6 March 2017 by Valentin Guta

Answered by Honest John
I had a meeting with engineers from Wolfsburg on March 1. The fix for the EA189 1.6 TDI engines was not approved by the KDA until 13 December 2016, so no 1.6 TDI could be fixed until after then. Basically the fix involves reducing NOx without any effect on power, torque, fuel economy or CO2. But reducing NOx means increasing soot, which has to be burned off in the DPF and requires additional fuel. To do this without affecting power, torque, fuel economy or CO2 the software changes the injection pattern, so fuel is now pre-injected, followed by a main injection, followed by a second main injection. Obviously, for this to work, the injectors have to be in tip top condition and the EGR valve stem must not be worn. Problems have arisen when injectors were old, dirty or worn and where the EGR valve stem was worn. But, out of 480,000 fixes applied so far, there have only been 3600 complaints and out of them 60 per cent were noise related and 35 per cent were complaints about poorer fuel economy and EGR problems. Only 150 cases of problems after the fix remain outstanding.
Similar questions
The emissions fix was done on my 2010 Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI in January 2017 and it now drives very differently. The DSG gearbox changes up into seventh gear much earlier than before (at around 40mph)...
My Volkswagen dealer has advised against carrying out the emissions software update on my Golf Plus because they say there is a fault in the exhaust gas recirculation valve. The car drives fine and no...
I own a 2009 Skoda Superb. It runs very well, done 110,000 miles and I plan to keep it. Skoda have invited me to bring it in for emission software change, assuring that there will be no change in fuel...
Related models
Comfortable and quiet on the move, enjoyable to drive. Nicely trimmed with great attention to detail. 1.4 TSI sweeter to drive than a diesel.
 

Value my car

Save £75 on Warranty using code HJ75

with MotorEasy

Get a warranty quote

Save 12% on GAP Insurance

Use HJ21 to save on an ALA policy

See offer