Initial data points. Oh, and a $5000+ DPF replacement quote.
Member Name: Andy_2009_JSW
Model Year: 2009
Model: Jetta Sportwagen
Tranny: DSG
Miles: 108535
Oil Ash Volume:138 ml
Oil Type: Mobil-1 ESP 5w30
Avg MPG mid-30's?
State: GA
Additional vagcom (version 12.12.0) data points:
14.4 g Soot (calc)
6.3 g Soot (meas)
3.0 Requested Regens
0 Successful Regens
19.2 l Fuel consumption since last regen
300 km distance since last regen
360 time since last regen
Comments:
Fuel additives: Since around 30k miles, 1 quart of BioD per tankful (==> approx. B2) plus a mix of Power Service white and grey.
Oil change interval: was every 10K up to 80K miles, then reduced to every 7500 after a used oil analysis recommended it due to detergent levels being low.
Wish I'd known of this thread years ago -- whoops!
Had car at dealer recently for possible bearing/tire issue (speed-correlated noise(s)). Unrelated to this, the tech told me I had a fault, but there was not a CEL -- EGR insufficient air flow (I found P0401, using vagcom). He said my ash load was 117 (and that the limit was 125 which scared the hell out of me; seems he may have been wrong on this). This was 130 miles ago, and my ash load has gone up 20 ml...?!?!? I'm questioning if the number he gave me was correct. But him mentioning this is what led me to find this thread.
This P0401 has only happened once, ~200 miles ago at 108343 (engine speed 2000 rpm and 62 mph, per freeze frame data) -- coincidentally just 70 miles before it was at the dealer. He said a clogging DPF can cause this fault.
I guess I may be at a wait-and-see point, and try to check the DPF data (and possible faults) regularly. I'm considering taking the car out and performing the Ross-Tech procedure to manually initiate a regen. Also wondering if perhaps a clogging EGR filter might explain the fault and/or relatively high ash load for my mileage. I did have a leak/crack in my upper EGR pipe (not too far from oil filter) 5 months ago, but probably put < 100 miles on the car with that issue before it was replaced. Don't know if or how that might affect the EGR filter.
SCARY REPLACEMENT COSTS: I've got a 2009, so the DPF and catalyst are one unit, which would be swapped out with the newer style of having them separate, and separately replaceable in the future. He quoted me $5350 to have it done!!!!
Comments/thoughts/advice welcomed and encouraged!