DPF Pressure Sensors Melted

[Caddymk4]

Yet another melted DPF sensor. Same story as most have mentioned. I own a 2016 MklV Caddy 2.0tdi which is currently on 206k miles.
I had done 80k miles in 2 years & had a slight noise from the water pump sine the last belt kit changed. I took it to my local garage which have worked a lot on my van, my commutes are normally quite long so I tend to drive it pretty hard & it’s been a good van for it. 1 week after having another belt & waterpump kit changed I was driving home from Cornwall at about 3am in the morning & engine management light came on with a flashing glow plug light , engine went into limp mode. Managed to get it home slowly & sure as eggs are eggs DPF sensor totally melted along with the harness & plug , so it’s currently in the garage again awaiting the outcome. Since having this happen I realised how common a fault it is. It’s putting me off continuing with my VW & trying another manufacturer as I rely so much on my van for work.

 

[MrCypherr]

Its fine as long as the people working on it are careful with those sensors. They are reliable if the people working on them know what they are doing.

 

[tdidieselbobny]

Dealership is Northtown Auto Volkswagen Amherst NY. Yep, kind of makes ya wonder right!!?

Ooof. Glad I never went to them, shopping around now for tb jobs around WNY area now. Not too thrilled with prices so far. Black forest was over $1900, and if I wanted OEM VW parts, said to add 10-15%. At that point, Basil was around $2200, and their parts breakdown actually listed screws(bolts) that would be replaced. Select Euro was close to $1500, but re use all the bolts. CDI was about same, and only replace tensioner bolt. A trusted mechanic in Pa. quoted me $700 parts and labor(I've used before on an older VW diesel), but no longer does it while waiting( needs drop off) , but they're just over 200 miles from me .... only dealer I'm trusting at this point for service is Basil in Lockport-I'm still under warranty, so I'm using them for maintenance for now. They've done right by me so far in the almost 2 years I've been using them.

 

[MrCypherr]

Those prices are insane. We charge $1300 I believe for a TB job. Thats all parts and hardware.

 

[740GLE]

$1300 canuckistans to boot i'm sure.

 

[Okimic]

Looking for a part number for my melted sensor connectors. (2015 GSW TDI S)

wish I had seen this thread BEFORE I changed the timing belt. I’d have been even more careful.

actually, I would have just bought new sensors and changed them after finishing the belt.

thanks in advance!

 

[RIP TDI]

Looking for a part number for my melted sensor connectors. (2015 GSW TDI S)

wish I had seen this thread BEFORE I changed the timing belt. I’d have been even more careful.

actually, I would have just bought new sensors and changed them after finishing the belt.

thanks in advance!

These?

 

[Brian's96TDIPASSAT]

Thinking how much shops are getting for TB replacement I should start doing them on the side!

 

[MrCypherr]

Honestly, if you have the locking tools, you cant screw it up.

 

[740GLE]

Thinking how much shops are getting for TB replacement I should start doing them on the side!

You willing to travel to NH?

I'll fill your trunk with fireworks for your ride back.

 

[Bo Diddley]

So I had my T-Belt done and that sensor melted within 10miles. I can only leave my car at VW in 7 days.

can I still drive the car for maybe 300miles in a week?

Thank you

 

[oilhammer]

Nope.

 

[Bo Diddley]

alright then will put that car on hold i guess... didn't really trust VW, they told me as long my CEL (which is on) is not flashing, i can drive the car.

can i still drive a little around to get food or going at VW? or should I have the car towed to VW?

 

[oilhammer]

You are essentially blow-torching hot exhaust gas right on to whatever is around that broken pressure sensor. I've seen people drive them to the point that it melted a hole right through the plastic valve cover, and nearly caught the engine on fire.

 

[Bo Diddley]

ok. understood, thank you for the clarification.

 

[740GLE]

I mean the CEL will still be on, and eventually flashing once more damage is done, but not good place to be..

One way you could get out of a roadside fix is completely disconnecting the rubber hoses form the sensors and fully plugging the hoses, small dowel or maybe one of those coolant clamps/hemostats.

It's only when the hoses aren't restricted, open to atmosphere due to a crack, that it becomes a pathway for hot exhaust gasses to flow that cause the issues.