2012 cbea smoking after dpf/egr delete

Nitewolf83

Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2025
Location
Orlando, FL
TDI
2012 Audi A3 TDI
Hello, I have a 2012 Audi a3 that I purchased with what appeared to be a clogged dpf. Since this is going to be used for off road use only, i removed the dpf and egr. I haven’t hooked up the down pipe yet or performed the tune but I just wanted to make sure this is normal before putting everything back together.

on startup there is a large puff of smoke and then if I rev the engine I get much more smoke. It doesn’t smell like diesel but also not really like oil either. I did a compression test before ordering any parts so I know there isn’t a head gasket leak.

If this is a turbo issue, I can “easily” resolve that by upgrading to the cr170 (wife won’t be happy but she’ll get over it).
 
Joined
May 21, 2025
Location
Denver
TDI
MK6 TDI
I’m not a professional and just purchased a TDI this month myself!

Without the DPF you’re going to have some smoke…that’s what the system you removed was responsible for. How much smoke are we talking here?
 

Nitewolf83

Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2025
Location
Orlando, FL
TDI
2012 Audi A3 TDI
I’m not a professional and just purchased a TDI this month myself!

Without the DPF you’re going to have some smoke…that’s what the system you removed was responsible for. How much smoke are we talking here?
Turned out to be a bad turbo. Likely what caused the DPF issues
 
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