Diesel Particle Light - Help!

[need4speed]

Folks,

I was wondering if anyone out there can give me some help.

My brother has a Dec 06 Mk5 GTTdi 170, which he bought around 5 months ago.  He is having alot of problems with the car, as the Diesel Particle Light on the dash flashes on at least once a week.  It has been back to the dealer a few times and sent to specialists but the problem can't be sorted out.

My brother is fed up as he loves the car.

Does anyone know of this problem or have any ideas as to how it can be fixed?

Thanks

[smartypants]

The good old DPF

My friend has had this issue with his new Audi A3. Does he drive it hard at any time or only do short journeys? In order for the DPF to work it has to be hot, and so every once in a while you should really give the car a good hard run - it should tip the DPF to work and do its job.

I take it thats been suggested by the dealer/specialist though? Does he experience any other issues other than just a light?

[DPG]

What sort of driving does your brother do?

My mum bought a Suzuki Vitara brand new and the DPF light kept on coming on.

Suzuki dealer told her that the filter is getting blocked up and that she needed to take it for a good blast on the mortorway now and again (every few weeks).

She ended up swapping it after a year for a Golf Plus.

[Merlinman]

2 years down the 170TDI DPF route - light has never come on - but I do drive quickly and don't use the car for 'shopping' - I think that's very significant? 

[FamilyDub]

Even a well-looked after diseasel needs to get a hard run now and again. Also, going on a long motorway run should be completed now and again to get all the bits moving in the way they were designed to.

These both will blow out all the crud from the particulate filter and normal service will resume!

[stevieC]

All you need to do to get the light of is drive at 2000rpm for 5mins,this heats the DPF and blows out any soot.

[jaydubveedub]

^ what they said. This a common issue on cars with DPF's, especially the 170 TDI units for some reason.

Not sure of the tech details but the DPF traps all the black soot from the exhaust and when the car is on a run (i.e. warmed up) it somehow burns off all the soot particles and clears the filter.

The dealer solution to the problem is to either run the car at high revs in the workshop for a few minutes, or send the YTS boy out in the car to rag the ar5e off it.

[need4speed]

cheers stevie c and jaydub - sounds like my brother needs to give the car a good blow out to try and clear the soot. The car only does about 15 miles per day so the car is never really preoperly warmed up until about half way along the journey.
He's frustrated as he has only had the car 4 months but will tell him to try your suggestions. Failing that, he'll have to put it on a treadmill for 30mins each day!!
Thanks v much

[FamilyDub]

The dealer solution to the problem is to either run the car at high revs in the workshop for a few minutes, or send the YTS boy out in the car to rag the ar5e off it.

Nicely put 

cheers stevie c and jaydub

Where's my shout out?!   

[need4speed]

Thank you Familydub, happy now !!!!