Golf GT TDI 170 DPF- Need advice...

[GTIoxford]

Hi,

I have recently purchased myself a Golf GT TDI 170 DPF.. After a few days of driving, I had the dreaded  DPF light and engine management light.. After plugging the car in, it is saying that the fault is with the DPF itself.. its running "below efficiency" apparently, which basically means its clogged up / on its last legs.

So... Looks like I have two options..

A) Take the car to a local garage, ask them to either clean (if possible?) or replace the DPF - which I understand could cost a lot of money.. and that problem could come back!

B) Buy the Milltek "DPF deletion pipe" and get it custom mapped, would cost the same as 'option A' plus I get more power and I'll probably feel more at ease knowing the DPF has gone. BUT.. the guy on the phone at a Milltek Dealer said that the PD (Pump Diesel) engine that I have, isn't as strong as the newer common rail version... so he may not recommend it?

http://www.millteksport.com/exhaust.products.cfm?variantid=264

Let me know your thoughts if possible. I have a 30 mile daily commute and often go long distance on weekends. I hate this DPF!! Worlds worst idea!!

[Rhyso]

Option 2 or you can have the innards removed from your current DPF and put it back on the car

My 170 has done over 45,000 miles without the DPF and apart from the inlet manifold leaking (common problem) and having the injectors replaced under official recall, it hasn't missed a beat 

The car has covered over 90,000 miles in total and 60,000 of those have been mapped miles   

[itavaltalainen]

Option B being illegal though, just saying.

[Rhyso]

Option B being illegal though, just saying.

In a visual sense yes hence why people now gut their existing DPF's. Diesels are still not tested on emissions and even then mine is within what would be acceptable

[GTIoxford]

Thanks for the responses.

MOT'ers will only fail if they look for it and don't find it (cover is in the way anyway) plus if the emissions are too high *source: forum threads*... But like you say Rhyso, yours is fine and it seems like most others are too 

Rhyso - did you get the Milltek? What is the performance / economy like?

[Rhyso]

No, no over priced tat in my car 

Mine was custom made; car is running 205bhp / 320lbs ft torque

Economy varies but on a run I can see 500+ miles to a tank; the biggest dent to economy is my right foot 

As with any car; regular maintenance will ensure many miles of happy motoring 

[GTIoxford]

Sounds good!

I'm afraid Milltek have my pants down, I have no other option..

After being quoted £800/£1000 quid for a DPF replacement by a normal garage, I have managed to get a quote of around £1000 for the Milltek DPF removal, ECU mapping blah blah, oil service, BMC filter and collection (trailer job) from a specialist.

3-4 lead time on the Milltek though 

[Rhyso]

How much!!!?

How much is the Milltek??? I'd look for a local specialist exhaust place who can knock up a delete pipe and then someone to map it

Why does your car need to be trailered?? Is it not running properly??

[GTIoxford]

That's what I first thought... But after speaking to around 4 specialist garages and 2 local ones, it seems that it would cost near the same to replace the DPF as it would to have the DPF removal done..

Milltek is around £400, then the ECU mapping, service, BMC filter and collection equals to about £1000 (inc vat).

The car has gone into limp, which apparently what happens if it can't regenerate or you don't try and regenerate in time... Plugged it in and its saying DPF so its definitely that.

[itavaltalainen]

There a specialist companies that can clean your DPF - for much less than 1000£.
This will remove around 90% of ash - so you should get an another 100k miles from it or so.