DPF replacement - under warranty!

[jvance]

Hi all, long time no see.

This TDI Sportwagen owner experience keeps getting better and better. At 23K, turbo fails, sucks all the oil out of the engine and bends a rod. New turbo, new engine. Now, at 43k, the DPF needs replacement. It probably should have been replaced when the turbo failed, since it blew quarts of engine oil out through the exhaust.

The good news is, this is fully covered under the emissions warranty, saving me a ton of money. When I bought this car, the DPF was only covered under a 2/24 warranty, so this raises my feelings regarding the JSW from "never buy again" to "meh."

On the plus side, the service department at Uptown VW in Albuquerque seems to be on the ball.

 

[Lightflyer1]

Did/are you getting the same one piece dpf set up or the newer/later version? I would try and steer them to the later version if possible. Seems like repairs were/are cheaper on the later version if you need them later.

 

[jvance]

Can you point me to information about the newer version? Part number or some other way to distinguish it from the older version?

Thanks!

 

[Lightflyer1]

I can't. The 2010 and on had a newer version that weren't integrated together IIRC.

 

[tdiatlast]

I assume any replacement for a 2009 would be the 2-piece version. Simple enough question for your service advisor.

 

[jvance]

DPF replaced, got the car back, and a day later the glow plug light comes on blinking and the car goes into failsafe mode (loss of power, no turbo.)

I take it back in and it's throwing intermittent codes. They check all the grounding points - they're fine so they tell me. Upshot - internal wiring fault, new engine wiring harness, $1200.

I'm not ready to start calling bull**** yet, because this car started throwing sensor codes two years ago. Essentially it's been driveable but with emission component codes popping up and turning on the CEL. They replaced what appeared to be the miscreant sensor when they replaced the DPF, but it's not unreasonable to think the actual cause is an intermittent short or open circuit that's gotten worse over time.

When it still throws codes after replacing the wiring harness, I'm going to be pissed.

 

[South Coast Guy]

If this was my car, I would sell it once I got the problems fixed. I see a long future of visits to the dealer getting things fixed.

 

[rac]

Can't help with the fault codes, but you can rest easy on the DPF. You've definitely got the new multi piece design because the single piece part was discontinued in early 2011.

Congrats on the warranty repair. $5,500 otherwise.

 

[jvance]

If this was my car, I would sell it once I got the problems fixed. I see a long future of visits to the dealer getting things fixed.

I'm starting to think that. It's a nice car, but ultimately it's a VW and it's looking like it's going to have VW problems.

It isn't like it's 2008 and it's the only car on the market that ticks off all the boxes any more. The now permanent price differential with diesel is making the newer direct injection gas engines much more appealing. I know - things that should not be said on this forum.

 

[chudzikb]

I think you are thinking. The spread between diesel and rug, truly has altered the economics of diesel vs. gas motors. Gas motors have upped their efficiency, diesel has seemingly slipped. The days of the old B-4 Passat are gone, now they are incredibly complex and do not return as great mileage due to emissions issues. Cleaner and better for the air, yes, more efficient, not so much. They lost me with the common rail generation, not sure what would make me want to buy a new one now? Don't get me wrong, I love my MK V diesels and my Golf 2 door, however, they are increasingly become dinosaurs in the automotive world.

 

[newbeetleman]

It will swing back, just you wait on see. And I think it will swing back with even higher prices then we have seen. Low fuel prices will NOT last! This was nothing more than a game being played.

 

[jvance]

It will swing back, just you wait on see. And I think it will swing back with even higher prices then we have seen. Low fuel prices will NOT last! This was nothing more than a game being played.

There's been a substantial price differential between diesel and gas since 2008 when I started paying attention. I'm still waiting on that swing. I'm thinking the price differential is structural.

 

[newbeetleman]

There's been a substantial price differential between diesel and gas since 2008 when I started paying attention. I'm still waiting on that swing. I'm thinking the price differential is structural.

I wasn't referring the price difference between gas and diesel. I was referring to the price of diesel now versus 2008.. it is much cheaper now but it will swing back and go even higher as will gas. I agree the difference between the 2 will never get better.. but both will go back up making diesel a much more viable option. That is unless they decide to further the difference between gas and diesel.

 

[jvance]

I've had the car back for over a week now. No additional fault codes. Looks like the new wiring harness did the trick. Hopefully this will be the end of the issues that started with the turbo failure.

Turbo failure --> bent rod --> new engine --> re-used, probably damaged in removal/installation engine wiring harness (different dealer) --> new engine wiring harness.

Turbo failure --> 4 quarts burned oil out through the tail pipe in two minutes --> accelerated DPF failure --> new DPF.

 

[showdown 42]

What seems amazing is the completely different experiences on these cars,some are fine others a disaster,I don't get it. Someone at VW has to be replaced to get the consistancy they need to be sucessful. The average car buyer won't tollerate these types of problems.

 

[MacBuckeye]

jvance-

With all those repairs done by VW, you should be in good shape. If you have a good relationship with that dealer, then they should take care of you (your car). I'm finding out as time goes on, VW is fully aware of the issues with the 2009- DPF, HPFP, etc. The dealer I've been using when I had my turbo issues (replaced twice after a failure) told me "if your HPFP fails, regardless of miles, VW will take care of it." Most dealerships will honor their workmanship. As time goes on, if you have problems, the dealer and VW should stand behind all the work they did. I know there are horror stories of VW crapping on the owner. Just document everything and try and maintain a good relationship with the dealer and service manager. I bet they would give you a good deal on a trade for a newer TDI. They would just sell your car at auction (someone else's problem at that point)

I got rid of my DPF system and went with a Malone Stage 2 Tune and DSG tune. Love it!

 

[tdiatlast]

MacBuckeye: I would like to agree with you, and with my dealer experience so far, I CAN agree with you.
However, after 6 years of reading on this site, I've come to the conclusion that our good dealership experiences, with VW in particular, are the exception and NOT the rule. I know, internet sites like this one have more complainers than praisers, but even so, I think your assessment is a bit extreme, in favor of dealer competence.
Just my opinion, of course.