Hi All,

I think this may be DPF related, but I'd like any other advice.

Our A3 Diesel has done 87k and has been fully serviced at all correct intervals. Every now and again the DPF light comes on and I take it out for the obligatory hammer down the motorway to clear it - this is all fine and we won't see the light again for a few months.

I've just recently realised I haven't seen the light for quite a while despite a lot of city driving, and it seems to be developing a worrying habit of being driven through the city, stopped at school to pick the little one up, and then as it's hot it won't restart after 5 mins or so rest. The sound as the engine tries to turn over is a bizarre and quite loud clicking sound, and the engine can't even get close to firing.

Over a couple of months this has gotten steadily worse, and last night it wouldn't start at all even after 10-15 mins cool off. I had to leave it at the school for 2 hours before I went back and picked it up, and it started first time.

I've given it a blast down the motorway this morning in case it is DPF related, but as the DPF indicator hasn't been on the dash for a few months I'm wondering if it might be something else? We do a mixture of driving, mainly City during the week but it does get out on open roads to the coasts at the weekend - 40 mile round trips on A Roads etc.

Seems to be totally behaving itself today - it seems only to refuse to restart if it's still warm, within 5-10 mins or so of a city journey, with that horrible clicking sound!

Any help greatly appreciated!

Andy