DPF isn't regenerating - 1st time light

Goot

There Can Be Only One!
Sep 9, 2002
387
3
Cheshire
Hi All,

Went out earlier in my '08 Leon FR PD170 felt rough. Revs 750rpm, but felt and sounded like it was about to move to 1k rpm, and headed to the motorway to clear it. Waiting at the lights to join the motorway, rev counter hit 1k rpm and the usual splutter started so went to help it out....

Motorway (M6 Warrington to Wigan), 5th gear 70-75mph 2.5k rpm as I usuallly do to clear the high revs, set on Cruise Control. Got to Wigan, still 1k rpm, turned round reverse journey back.

Warrington still 1k rpm :confused: so did the journey again. 2 miles on the motorway, DPF light came on. Got to Wigan, DPF light still on, revs down to 750rpm so returned to Warrington (same procedure) apart from this time I got off at a later junction (Lymm).

DPF light still on. Back on motorway, this time Lymm to Wigan. Revs 750 rpm, reverse journey again to Warrington.

Can't get the DPF light to go out :cry:

First time in 3yrs the light has come on. Worried now that it's got a faulty sensor and it's clogging up the DPF.

Advice please. I don't want to go out again incase I get stranded (other than head to the dealers)

Goot :)
 
Nov 25, 2011
256
0
Wolverhampton.
Hi All,

Went out earlier in my '08 Leon FR PD170 felt rough. Revs 750rpm, but felt and sounded like it was about to move to 1k rpm, and headed to the motorway to clear it. Waiting at the lights to join the motorway, rev counter hit 1k rpm and the usual splutter started so went to help it out....

Motorway (M6 Warrington to Wigan), 5th gear 70-75mph 2.5k rpm as I usuallly do to clear the high revs, set on Cruise Control. Got to Wigan, still 1k rpm, turned round reverse journey back.

Warrington still 1k rpm :confused: so did the journey again. 2 miles on the motorway, DPF light came on. Got to Wigan, DPF light still on, revs down to 750rpm so returned to Warrington (same procedure) apart from this time I got off at a later junction (Lymm).

DPF light still on. Back on motorway, this time Lymm to Wigan. Revs 750 rpm, reverse journey again to Warrington.

Can't get the DPF light to go out :cry:

First time in 3yrs the light has come on. Worried now that it's got a faulty sensor and it's clogging up the DPF.

Advice please. I don't want to go out again incase I get stranded (other than head to the dealers)

Goot :)

If the soot content is too high (sounds like it is) then you need to do a forced regeneration via vag com. Do you have access to one?
 

/dev/null

Active Member
Nov 12, 2008
1,649
101
You'd usually get coil light on too if it's gone too high. I had a similar case over xmas where it wouldn't clear then started in the freezing cold one morning and within 5 mins the light went out, engine still cold.
 

TomReis

Active Member
Feb 1, 2012
52
0
It may well be blocked mate and need a force regen. Hard to tell without pulling the DPF out and having a look. Either way it's sounds like you need a garage or some one who can plug in via vagcom and reset the DPF light and see what happens
 

Goot

There Can Be Only One!
Sep 9, 2002
387
3
Cheshire
I don't have VAG Com or know anyone with one in the North west. Might post a new thread.
Wouldn't mind so much but been back and forth to Birmingham in free flowing traffic almost every weekend for the past 5 weeks so surprised to see the DPF light. I'm suspecting a dodgy sensor as I'm on the ball when it's running rough and lasted 3yrs with no problem with the DPF.
 

/dev/null

Active Member
Nov 12, 2008
1,649
101
If you fancy a drive up to about 15 miles north of Manchester then you're welcome to use mine. Bit of a trek though lol!
 

Goot

There Can Be Only One!
Sep 9, 2002
387
3
Cheshire
Thanks for the offer /dev/null - in normal circumstances I'd jump at the offer. The only thing that concerns me is driving the car that distance and a second light comes on and then "init 5" ( I really must bite the bullet and learn some Linux!) ... then I'm stuck " a bit of a trek" away :(
 

raylee25

Active Member
Jan 24, 2012
179
37
London
If you fancy a drive up to about 15 miles north of Manchester then you're welcome to use mine. Bit of a trek though lol!

What version of Vagcom are you using?
I have 409.1 which I used when I had a Golf but I don't know if it will fit the Leon FR.
 

Alzak

Active Member
Aug 10, 2010
666
3
Hi All,

Went out earlier in my '08 Leon FR PD170 felt rough. Revs 750rpm, but felt and sounded like it was about to move to 1k rpm, and headed to the motorway to clear it. Waiting at the lights to join the motorway, rev counter hit 1k rpm and the usual splutter started so went to help it out....

Motorway (M6 Warrington to Wigan), 5th gear 70-75mph 2.5k rpm as I usuallly do to clear the high revs, set on Cruise Control. Got to Wigan, still 1k rpm, turned round reverse journey back.

Warrington still 1k rpm :confused: so did the journey again. 2 miles on the motorway, DPF light came on. Got to Wigan, DPF light still on, revs down to 750rpm so returned to Warrington (same procedure) apart from this time I got off at a later junction (Lymm).

DPF light still on. Back on motorway, this time Lymm to Wigan. Revs 750 rpm, reverse journey again to Warrington.

Can't get the DPF light to go out :cry:

First time in 3yrs the light has come on. Worried now that it's got a faulty sensor and it's clogging up the DPF.

Advice please. I don't want to go out again incase I get stranded (other than head to the dealers)

Goot :)

by any chance have You had injectors replaced recently on recall ??
 

Goot

There Can Be Only One!
Sep 9, 2002
387
3
Cheshire
Original injectors at the moment. Having read the thread it explains why I kept stalling a few months ago. Put it down to "user error" now I'm not so sure. It's on my 'to do' list this month. Engine code BMN. I've not been officially advised to get them checked by SEAT yet.
 
Last edited:

Goot

There Can Be Only One!
Sep 9, 2002
387
3
Cheshire
Update: Had to move cars around on drive. Started Leon, 1k rpm revs, DPF & Engine Management lights ON and the following message of the MFD:
"Diesel Particulate (sp?) Filter Instructions"

Oh, and my daughter isn't well...but that's a different story!

Left car on drive for now. Is this driveable, say to /dev/null's house (30 odd motorway miles?)
How would I drive it? As though I was trying to help regen? What if it goes into limp mode, or coil light starts flashing? Am i likely to breakdown? Sorry for all the questions. Not sure what to do.

Fingers crossed someone closer to me has VAG Com.
Thanks to everyone for your help so far. Much appreciated :)
 

raylee25

Active Member
Jan 24, 2012
179
37
London
Well I'm based in Lowton, just off the East lancs road.
I have vagcom, but it was for the Golf I used to have. I don't know if it will work on the Leons. Its the ver 409.1.

Useless somebody can tell me, I'm prepared to help you out.
 

/dev/null

Active Member
Nov 12, 2008
1,649
101
I'm not sure what version it is, I've cleared mine out though a few times with a manual regen when it's reached a high-ish level. But I can't say I've ever done it from an EML-On level (which is pretty high!) - I wouldn't like to guarantee anything.

Driving it long distances isn't great, but 30 motorway miles should at least give it time to burn off a bit. 70 in 5th usually does the trick for me. If it goes into limp mode then you will lose the use of you turbo, wno't get above 2.5k revs etc. Bit of a pain to drive, but I've done a 25 mile trip in limp mode when my DPF sensor went.

Once you're in limp mode you're pretty much into having to go to the dealer. I'd guess VAGCOM could bring it out but it's obviously gone in for a reason so you might cause more damage by taking it out.

The other option is I'm in Bury tonight, possibly tomorrow and on Thursday, busy til 9.15pm. That's a bit nearer you? I'd be strugling for time before then anyway, get home abotu half 5 then need to leave about 10 to 7.
Offer is there though, have a see what you think.
 

Goot

There Can Be Only One!
Sep 9, 2002
387
3
Cheshire
Had a chat with an VAG specialist. Advised whilst I could still drive the car, it risks going beyond the point of no return (replacement DPF). As it stands suggested I only drive it to a garage due to the fact the EML light came on so quickly. So, I'm in the process of getting quotes for DPF regen and clean, and a price for that dreaded pressure sensor just in case (could be the cause of the EML light).
 

Goot

There Can Be Only One!
Sep 9, 2002
387
3
Cheshire
Phoned around a couple of VAG specialists (Awesome, VW Centre St Helens) and both hinting DPF forced regen and pressure sesnsor and not to drive any great length due to both lights on. Quoted same price. Contacted SEAT IMG and enquired about injector recall (yes I'm on the list). Quote for regen and sensor was competitive so decided to get the whole lot done at the dealer. Should also give me a better standing with SEAT HQ should I have further problems related to same issue.

Hoping the car starts as not used it all week. Last time it was sat on drive for x days it refused to start.

Going in on Tuesday. Told car to behave itself and not flirt with those female cars! :)
 

Goot

There Can Be Only One!
Sep 9, 2002
387
3
Cheshire
Drove to the dealers, both lights still on. Revs 750 rpm - stop start traffic. Pulled into the car park, DPF light goes out!! Still got the EML on. No way the DPF did a regen this morning (less than 4 miles).

I await the verdict later this afternoon.
 

/dev/null

Active Member
Nov 12, 2008
1,649
101
Like I said above, it can be a bit strange - mine went off within 2 miles in sub-zero temps from a cold-morning start!
 
Chris Knott Insurance - Competitive quotes for forum members