DPF regen

mcmac74

Member
T6 Pro
Hi

I know there's a lot of threads about these but couldn't find the answer I was looking for. I've a T6.1 camper which is my everyday driver to work (short trip). I use it as a camper aound once a month but I've been making sure to get it out every week to do a decent drive with the distance and revs to clear DPF. However, i noticed that the day after my decent drive on Monday, a regen started after a very short journey when i pulled up on drive. It seemed strange that it started one so soon after a decent run out and just wondering how to approach this. Could it be possible that it won't start a regen, even on a decent run out? Can you let it regen on the driveway if its started itself from virtually cold? Once started, will the regen finish if i just drive normally to let it finish? Am I right in thinking there is no warning light for a DPF getting full on the T6.1?

Thanks, Mark
 
Could it be possible that it won't start a regen, even on a decent run out?
Yes, if it senses the ash levels done require it.

Can you let it regen on the driveway if its started itself from virtually cold?
No. After a period at idle itll abort the process.

Once started, will the regen finish if i just drive normally to let it finish?
Yes, no need t thrash it although the engine needs to be fully up to temp.

Am I right in thinking there is no warning light for a DPF getting full on the T6.1?
Indeed there is not. There are OBD plug in devices that'll do the job, or an OBD dongle and a suitable app.

Fundamentally the type of motoring youre doing is bad ju-ju for any DPF equipped diesel, and periodic runs and regens will only postpone problems for so long. Regular journeys under 7 miles are very likely to cause issues at some point regardless of the wheezes you might pull to try and prevent it.
 
If you've any concerns over DPF regen's would suggest getting the DPF monitor for VAG app and a suitable bluetooth obd dongle.

Essentially soot mass measured or soot mass calculated will trigger a regen when a set value is achieved - you can see these in the app.
 
Yes, if it senses the ash levels done require it.


No. After a period at idle itll abort the process.


Yes, no need t thrash it although the engine needs to be fully up to temp.


Indeed there is not. There are OBD plug in devices that'll do the job, or an OBD dongle and a suitable app.

Fundamentally the type of motoring youre doing is bad ju-ju for any DPF equipped diesel, and periodic runs and regens will only postpone problems for so long. Regular journeys under 7 miles are very likely to cause issues at some point regardless of the wheezes you might pull to try and prevent it.
Thanks, all helpful pointers. I'm hopeful the ' wheezes' will go some way to prevent issues...I also went minimal fuss on my on the base vehicle ( 5 speed manual - 110 bhp) to assist. I've no idea if the T6 is more prone to DPF issues, but I had similar DPF worries when I bought a Ford Kuga diesel about 7 years ago, and thats been problem free thus far, and tbh i don't even bother taking it on designated 'runs' to clear the DPF.
 
Its no more of less prone to issues than any other DPF equipped vehicles.

If you've used another modern diesel for the same pattern of motoring and suffered no issues you've been fortunate, is all.

Think of it as a fat man that eats a lot of fried food and who doesnt exercise. Sure, he could live a long life and dodge the coffin until hes 90, but its not a good idea to try it simply because one person got away with it. Its a gamble, and a good gambler plays his hand when the odds are in their favour.

Im in a similar boat, but I walk or cycle anything less than 10 miles, so although the van doesnt get used much when it does hit the road its never for a short hop. With the traffic round here and the grief parking in town its usually just as quick!
 
Thanks, all helpful pointers. I'm hopeful the ' wheezes' will go some way to prevent issues...I also went minimal fuss on my on the base vehicle ( 5 speed manual - 110 bhp) to assist. I've no idea if the T6 is more prone to DPF issues, but I had similar DPF worries when I bought a Ford Kuga diesel about 7 years ago, and thats been problem free thus far, and tbh i don't even bother taking it on designated 'runs' to clear the DPF.
I have the same 110 5 speed 6.1. I took the doggo a walk today, when I got back home the revs were at 1000 rpm and it smelled 'warm'. Yep, doing a regen!
I set the trip to zero at that point, my regens kick in every 140-180 miles, so I have an idea when the next one is due.
Back to today, I took the van and doggo back on the road and did my usual 'fast loop', a 7 mile relatively unhindered drive at around 2000rpm often in 4th gear where I would normally be in 5th. The oil temp rises to around 98 degrees while regenning, on the 7th mile you can see the oil temp going back down into the early 90's, regen over, back to base.
Occasionally, especially after a longer drive, I'm not sure whether or not a regen has occurred, at that point I use my Carista to tell me the soot content. When that has crept close to 30 grams I know a regen is imminent. I've never done it, but Carista will let you 'force' a regen if you so desire.
Fortunately with a much younger doggo now, she is very capable of bouncing in the back of the wife's Evoque so the van has less of the shorter walkie trips to do.
 
They seem to regen alot more often that other vehicles I've had. They use alot more adblue too.
 
Thanks for those insights...I'm thinking that an app/ diagnostic would be useful for seeing where soot levels are at...but you're still at the whim of the regen cycle...and it can choose to start when it wants, even if thats right at the end of 2 hour drive when its had ample time to burn off the soot...makes no sense tbh 🙄
 
It won't burn off the soot until the ash levels reach a certain threshold. If that threshold doesn't happen to be met until you happen to have been driving for 1hr and 55m one day then thats just happenstance. Next regen might start 10 minutes into a journey.
 
Per T6.1 Owner's manual there is a warning light on dash instrument cluster

View attachment 311518
Ah, didn't make sense not to have one i guess...although I have seen multiple threads where folk say it doesn't
That'll work nicely with Carista, currently £22.49 on the 'bay. Cheapest I've seen it for ages!
Given my driving routine, makes sense to get that...does carista give DPF data without the need for an app too?
I have the same 110 5 speed 6.1. I took the doggo a walk today, when I got back home the revs were at 1000 rpm and it smelled 'warm'. Yep, doing a regen!
I set the trip to zero at that point, my regens kick in every 140-180 miles, so I have an idea when the next one is due.
Back to today, I took the van and doggo back on the road and did my usual 'fast loop', a 7 mile relatively unhindered drive at around 2000rpm often in 4th gear where I would normally be in 5th. The oil temp rises to around 98 degrees while regenning, on the 7th mile you can see the oil temp going back down into the early 90's, regen over, back to base.
Occasionally, especially after a longer drive, I'm not sure whether or not a regen has occurred, at that point I use my Carista to tell me the soot content. When that has crept close to 30 grams I know a regen is imminent. I've never done it, but Carista will let you 'force' a regen if you so desire.
Fortunately with a much younger doggo now, she is very capable of bouncing in the back of the wife's Evoque so the van has less of the shorter walkie trips to do.
What is an unhindered drive in terms of a regen? Obviously it's best to get to mway or dual carriageway but unless I'm driving 8 odd miles, I'm left with the ring road or a local A road, both of which have fairly regular roundabout/ traffic lights. Will the inevitable slows/ stops cause issues with a regen?

Thanks
 
I think youd know if your DPF wazs clogged without the little light.
 
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