Forced regeneration of particulate filters on VAG TDIs using VCDS (Articles)

For VAG TDI vehicles equipped with a standard diesel particulate filter (DPF), a forced regeneration can be performed using the VCDS diagnostic tool. This may be necessary in cases of unfavorable driving conditions and is a workshop procedure. The diagnostic systems, HEX-NET and HEX-V2, which are used here, can be purchased from us.

Please note that the following steps, which are given as examples for 1.4/1.9/2.0/2.5l PD, 1.6/2.0 CR, and 2.7/3.0l CR TDI engines (BKS/BMK/BUN etc.), should only be performed if you know what you are doing. Instructions for forced DPF regeneration on newer engine control units with diagnostics via UDS can be found further down in this topic.
If in doubt, always refer to the relevant repair manual for the specific vehicle.

Forced DPF regeneration for 1.4l/1.9l/2.0l/2.5l PD TDI engines

Requirements:

• Ignition ON.
• Engine running at idle speed.
• Oil temperature above 50°C.
• Particulate filter load status (measurement block 75 value 3) below below the respective specified maximum value. If the load of the particulate filter is greater, the filter must be replaced, otherwise the filter could become too hot during regeneration and burn out!
• As many electrical consumers/loads in the vehicle as possible are switched on (e.g., Lights, rear window heater, air conditioning).
• Drive at approximately 30-60 km/h.
• Engine speed between 1500 and 2500/min, exhaust gas temperature in the exhaust manifold > 700°C.
• Read the error memory of the engine control unit for possible causes of the error and fix them.

The regeneration process takes up to 20 minutes; continue driving until the filter loading level is as low as possible (0%). Warning: The exhaust system may reach high temperatures!

Procedure:

[ECU Selection]
[01 - Engine]

[Coding-II - 11]
Initiate regeneration by entering and confirming 21295.

[Measurement Blocks - 08]
Select blocks 70 and 75.

MWB 70.1: Regeneration status (xxxxxxx1 = normal regeneration, xxxxxx1x = forced regeneration).
MWB 70.3: Regeneration Timer.
MWB 75.1: Exhaust gas temperature before turbocharger.
MWB 75.2: Exhaust gas temperature before the particulate filter.
MWB 75.3: Particle filter loading status.
MWB 75.4: Exhaust gas temperature after the particulate filter.

Forced DPF Regeneration for 2.7l/3.0l TDI V6 engines

Prerequisites:

• Ignition ON.
• Engine running at idle speed.
• Oil temperature above 70°C.
• Particulate filter load below 68g. See measurement block 104, field 3. If the particulate filter load is greater than 68g, the filter must be replaced, otherwise the filter may become too hot during regeneration and could catch fire!
• Hood closed.
• Parking brake engaged.
• Transmission in neutral/park position.
• Error memory of the engine control unit is empty.
• As many electrical consumers/loads in the vehicle as possible are turned on (e.g., lights, rear window heater, air conditioning).

The regeneration process takes up to 40 minutes, during which the engine speed increases to approximately 1500/min. Warning: The exhaust system may reach high temperatures!

Procedure:

[ECU Selection]
[01 - Engine]

[Coding-II - 11]
Initiate regeneration by entering and confirming the code 10016.

[Measurement Blocks - 08]
Select all three blocks: 100, 101, and 102.

MWB 100.1: Engine speed.
MWB 100.3: Regeneration Timer.
MWB 100.4: Regeneration interruption detected (0 = no interruption, 1 = interruption detected).
MWB 101.4: Regeneration status (001 = Heating up, 010 = Regeneration, 100 = Cooling down).
MWB 102.1: Temperature before catalytic converter.
MWB 102.2: Temperature before the particulate filter.

Forced DPF Regeneration 1.6/2.0l R4 CR-TDI (CAN)

Background Information:
In newer common-rail TDIs, there are two types of DPF regeneration, depending on the specific soot load of the filter. If the calculated or actual Russian mass is between 30g and 40g, the regeneration process can be performed while stationary or while driving.
With between 40g and 45g of ground coffee in the filter, only one regeneration cycle is possible during the brewing process.

Prerequisites for regeneration in a stationary state:

• Ignition ON.
• Engine running at idle (Park position for AG).
• Fuel tank at least 25% full.
• Coolant temperature above 70°C (see measurement block 2, value 4).
• Hood closed.
• Particulate filter loading status (measurement block 108 OR measurement block 241, values 2 and 3) below or within the respective specified range. If the loading of the particulate filter is greater than 45g, the filter must be replaced, otherwise the filter may become too hot during regeneration and burn out!
• As many electrical consumers/loads in the vehicle as possible are turned on (e.g. Lights, rear window heater, air conditioning).
• Read the error memory of the engine control unit to identify possible causes of the problem and fix them.

The regeneration process takes up to 20 minutes; keep the engine running until the filter is as empty as possible (0%). Warning: The exhaust system may reach high temperatures!

Procedure for regeneration while stationary:

[ECU Selection]
[01 - Engine]

[Security Access - 16]
Start the regeneration process by entering the code displayed by VCDS.

[Basic setting - 04]
Select the measurement block for regeneration while stationary.

[Ok]
Follow the instructions on the screen.

[Back]

[Measurement Blocks - 08]
Select measurement block 099 and measurement block 108.

[Ok]

MWB 099.2: Exhaust gas temperature before turbocharger.
MWB 099.3: Exhaust gas temperature before the particulate filter.
MWB 099.4: Exhaust gas temperature after particulate filter.

MWB 108.2: Calculated black carbon mass.
MWB 108.3: Black carbon mass (measured).

Wait until the amount of soot is as low as possible (0%).

[Back]
[End connection, back - 06]

Prerequisites for regeneration while driving:

• Ignition ON.
• Engine running at idle (Park position for AG).
• Fuel tank at least 25% full.
• Coolant temperature above 70°C (see measurement block 2, value 4).
• Hood closed.
• Particulate filter loading status (measurement block 108 OR 241, values 2 and 3) below or within the respective specified range. If the particulate filter loading is greater than 45g, the filter must be replaced, as it could otherwise become too hot during regeneration and burn out!
• As many electrical consumers/loads in the vehicle as possible are turned on (e.g. Lights, rear window heater, air conditioning).
• Drive at a minimum speed of 60 km/h.
• Engine speed between 2000 and 2500/min, exhaust gas temperature in the exhaust manifold > 700°C.
• Read the error memory of the engine control unit for possible causes of errors and fix them.

The regeneration process takes up to 20 minutes; continue driving until the filter loading level is as low as possible (0%). Warning: The exhaust system may reach high temperatures!
If the regeneration process fails, it's either because the engine was driven under too little load (e.g., driving downhill for a long time), causing the exhaust temperature to drop too much (approximately 170°C before the turbocharger, 150°C before/after the particulate filter), or there's another engine fault that needs to be addressed.

Procedure for regeneration while driving:

[ECU Selection]
[01 - Engine]

[Security Access - 16]
Start the regeneration process by entering the code displayed by VCDS.

[Adaptation - 10]
Select the adaptation channel for regeneration during driving and enter "1" as the new value.

[Save]
[Back]

[Measurement Blocks - 08]
Select measurement block 099 and measurement block 108.

[Ok]

MWB 099.2: Exhaust gas temperature before turbocharger.
MWB 099.3: Exhaust gas temperature before the particulate filter.
MWB 099.4: Exhaust gas temperature after particulate filter.

MWB 108.2: Calculated black carbon mass.
MWB 108.3: Black carbon mass (measured).

Drive until the amount of soot is as low as possible (0%).

[Back]
[End connection, back - 06]

Forced DPF Regeneration 1.6l/2.0l R4 & 2.7/3.0l V6 CR-TDI (UDS)

Background Information:
In newer common-rail TDIs, there are two types of DPF regeneration, depending on the amount of soot in the filter. If the calculated or actual soot mass is below a certain threshold, the regeneration can be performed while the vehicle is stationary or while it is being driven. With a higher Russian mass in the filter, only one regeneration is possible while driving.

Prerequisites for Regeneration:

• Ignition ON.
• Engine running at idle (Park position for AG).
• Fuel tank at least 25% full.
• Coolant temperature above 70°C (see corresponding extended measurement block).
• Hood closed.
• Particulate filter loading status (see corresponding extended measurement block) below or within the specified range. If the particulate filter loading is greater than the corresponding loading limit (see Screenshot below), the filter must be replaced, as it could otherwise become too hot during regeneration and burn out!
• As many electrical consumers/loads in the vehicle as possible are turned on (e.g., Lights, rear window heater, air conditioning).
• Regeneration while driving: Drive at a minimum speed of 60 km/h.
• Regeneration while driving: Engine speed between 2000 and 2500 rpm, exhaust gas temperature in the exhaust manifold > 700°C.
• Read the error memory of the engine control unit for possible causes of the problem and fix them.

The regeneration process takes up to 20 minutes; continue driving until the filter loading level is as low as possible (0%). Warning: The exhaust system may reach high temperatures!
If the regeneration process fails, it's either because the engine was driven under too little load (e.g., driving downhill for a long time), causing the exhaust temperature to drop too much (approximately 170°C before the turbocharger, 150°C before/after the particulate filter), or there's another engine fault that needs to be addressed.
During regeneration while the vehicle is stationary, if supported by the control unit, no input is required at Security Access - 16.

[ECU Selection]
[01 - Engine]

[Basic setting - 04]
Select the appropriate option from the dropdown menu to regenerate.

[Ok!]

Drive until the amount of soot or the volume of soot is as small as possible (0%, 0 ml). Find the corresponding measurement value in the advanced measurement blocks and observe it.
[Back]
[End connection, back - 06]