My 2014 VW Passat TDI (105K miles) is coming to the end of its diesel emission system extended warranty soon. In the 8 years I have owned it, I have had only one major problem, the DES. I have had an estimated $8-10K (retail) worth of VW dealer warranty repairs done over that time, replacing DEF tank, NOX catalyst, sensors, injector, etc., including months with loaners because parts were backordered. I would like to keep my VW for another 100-150K miles but dealing with ongoing emission systems problems would not be worth it. Once it is off warranty, I am done with VW dealer services. I could really use some help in locating a TDI mechanic in or near Montana who would be able to delete and tune my Passat, or make DES repairs when I need them in the future. Any suggestions are most appreciated.
2014 Passat TDI - emission system is out of warranty - Looking for VW TDI repair in Montana
- Thread starter jmcleary
- Start date
AverageAndy
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2020
- Location
- Phoenix, AZ
- TDI
- 2013 Passat TDI SEL, 2013 Golf TDI 6MT, 2013 Jetta TDI 6MT (R.I.P.)
No one will/should post a mechanic who would perform a delete because it is federally illegal and could close their business or worse.
That being said, a full delete and tune is reasonably easy enough to yourself at home on ramps/jack stands. If you don't want to or can't do the full delete, you have options to just tune out the DEF tank without physically modifying the car. Malone does a tune that retains all emissions systems but reduces the duty cycle to prolong the DPF and tunes out the DEF usage. Kerma TDI also does an emissions intact tune that many users have reported also solves the DEF tank issues.
That being said, a full delete and tune is reasonably easy enough to yourself at home on ramps/jack stands. If you don't want to or can't do the full delete, you have options to just tune out the DEF tank without physically modifying the car. Malone does a tune that retains all emissions systems but reduces the duty cycle to prolong the DPF and tunes out the DEF usage. Kerma TDI also does an emissions intact tune that many users have reported also solves the DEF tank issues.
Tom in PT
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2017
- Location
- Twilight Zone, WA State
- TDI
- 2005 Passat sedan - SOLD; 2013 Passat DSG; both purchased new
Since the bulk of your emissions system seems to have been replaced already, my vote would be to simply keep it and go with a KermaTDI tune. I have almost two years and 20,000 miles on my car since I did that and not a single emissions related issue in the meantime plus I and getting about a 6 percent increase in fuel economy and the system uses hardly any adblue/DEF fluid at all. Definitely a good investment from my perspectiv.e.
The process of installing the tune is easy - the send you a box that you plug into your OBDII port, you upload your software, you download their tune a few days later and then install that box again via OBDII. At least that is how they did it in 2022.
The process of installing the tune is easy - the send you a box that you plug into your OBDII port, you upload your software, you download their tune a few days later and then install that box again via OBDII. At least that is how they did it in 2022.
Thank you for the recommendation. Not being familiar with the different tunes, what are the pros and cons between between the Malone and the KermaTDI tunes? If they can stop the AdBlue warning countdowns with check engine lights and the dealer visits I've had way too many times, mostly in the middle of long trips, over the last 8 years, I'm all in.
watatrp
Veteran Member
I added the Kerma tune last year after multiple warnings and trips to the dealership. Previously had a trip to the dealership where it was left for 3 weeks while parts were replaced. Since the tune was added I have not had any AdBlue warnings. My fuel mileage has increased around 5-6%. My regens happen around 475 miles. Previously they were around every 200 miles. My AdBlue usage has been cut drastically. Seems like I add just a few ounces with every fuel up. I also added the DSG tune from Kerma and the car is actually fun to drive now.
Tom in PT
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2017
- Location
- Twilight Zone, WA State
- TDI
- 2005 Passat sedan - SOLD; 2013 Passat DSG; both purchased new
I can't compare Malone with Kerma but it seems like my experience if very similar to watatrp and others with this tune so Kerma is a known good quantity and I would recommend them.
x1800MODMY360x
Veteran Member
I say if you can't ever delete, go with Kerma.
If you can delete go with malone.
If you can delete go with malone.
AverageAndy
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2020
- Location
- Phoenix, AZ
- TDI
- 2013 Passat TDI SEL, 2013 Golf TDI 6MT, 2013 Jetta TDI 6MT (R.I.P.)
Also, if you want to delete, but need to pass OBD2 plug-in emissions, go with MRtuning, EOC or TDI flasher.
740GLE
Top Post Dawg
- Joined
- Aug 19, 2009
- Location
- NH
- TDI
- 2017 Alltrack SE; Totaled 2015 Passat SEL, BB 2010 Sedan Man; 2012 Passat SE w/ Nav,
Go for malone, it opens more options for "what if's" down the road than Kerma.
Plus they are Canadian, so far the EPA hasn't slapped anyones wrists north of the boarder.
Plus they are Canadian, so far the EPA hasn't slapped anyones wrists north of the boarder.
P2B
Top Post Dawg
Some members would disagree...
DSG Advice
I think my tranny is failing slowly. Pretty much since I bought the car @ 92k, shifting from R to D or just pulling away from a stop, it's grabbed hard occasionally and has gotten progressively more common. I have done a few DSG services without any improvement. Car now has 205k. So, what...
740GLE
Top Post Dawg
- Joined
- Aug 19, 2009
- Location
- NH
- TDI
- 2017 Alltrack SE; Totaled 2015 Passat SEL, BB 2010 Sedan Man; 2012 Passat SE w/ Nav,
I only have malone ECU low torque flash, stock DSG file. While the DSG is 'shifty' i dont hate it enough to need a tune.
When they were made aware of the DMF shudder at around 1300, they were quick to get me a low torque.
Also when i got phase 2A, they were also quick to give me an updated file.
When they were made aware of the DMF shudder at around 1300, they were quick to get me a low torque.
Also when i got phase 2A, they were also quick to give me an updated file.
Thank you for all of your suggestions. To continue with my saga, while on a trip to Colorado, my AdBlue system one again failed and counted down to 0 miles, the day before my extended warranty expired! My car is currently sitting in a Denver VW dealership waiting for it's third Nox sensor to be installed (a $900 bill if I didn't have one day left on my warranty). I will be getting the Kerma tune immediately, when I return to Montana, in the hopes that I never have to see the dreaded check engine light and "won't start in 150 miles" warning on my dashboard ever again.
watatrp
Veteran Member
If it gives you any comfort, I had the countdown many times but it never got to the "no start" condition. I had just come back from a road trip and was down to 25 miles to "no start" and was stopped to fuel up before heading to the dealership. When I started it back up the "no start" countdown was gone. My countdown always seemed to start on longer road trips above 70 mph with temps below 40 degrees. I'm sure VW knows what causes this but refuses to address it.