Get rid of my Passat?

[samwise]

Hi all,

I currently have a 2014 VW Passat TDI Comfortline, ~165000 km, and under extended warrenty (till ~185000km, emissions not covered). I currently have a few Emissions CEL codes related to EGR slow response, insufficient flow, and DPF regen frequency (i've only had emissions related codes since I bought it). I am wondering if its worth going for a tune/delete to remove the EGR and DPF altogether, getting the EGR issue fixed (which may fix the DPF regen frequency), or trading it in and putting that towards something else.

I love this car, still drives like a dream, and is very spacious, but I am worried about the longevity of this. Looking for some advice/opinions on what to do, and what other cars have a similar feel to what this has (spacious, comfortable, nice big trunk for speakers , great for long drives).

EDIT: I bought it 2 years ago with 105K, so I do drive it a lot

 

[TurboABA]

It's under warranty... take it in and let the monkeys load up the parts cannon.... they will probably replace 30 various things that don't even need replacing, so you'll end up with a "refreshed" car..... then keep on keeping on until the warranty runs out. After that, you can decide what to do on your own dime.

 

[samwise]

Unfortunately, the warrenty does not cover anything Emissions related. It covers everything else though

 

[TurboABA]

Without knowing the exact in service date and modification date\mileage of your "fix", it's hard to know if you would still be covered.

Warranty Period
The warranty period for the “Extended Emissions Warranty” limited warranty extension shall be the greater of:
 10 years or 193,000 km, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle’s original in-service date;
OR
 4 years or 77,000 km, whichever occurs first, from the date and mileage of the completion of the emissions modification.

So if you don't know for sure, call VW and have them run your VIN to confirm that your coverage has already expired.

 

[TurboABA]

(i've only had emissions related codes since I bought it).

Please slap yourself for not getting things fixed for free when it was still covered.

I bought it 2 years ago with 105K

 

[samwise]

Sorry, what I mean is that the only codes that ever popped up were related to emissions. I did get them all fixed until my diesel gate warranty expired. Those got fixed and I was driving without CEL for about a year. Now I have these new ones coming. Just called and confirmed that my extended warrenty doesnt include emissions related issues

 

[TurboABA]

So you are sure that your dieselgate coverage expired? Because if the vehicle was "fixed" just prior to you purchasing it, you could still be covered.
What's the date on the green sticker under the hood say?

 

[samwise]

October 2013 was the date the car was made, emissions modification done sometime in 2019 (sticker was wearing away). Unless the VW Dealership is lying to me when I called, they told me it was expired (its after 10 years of the in service date, and 4 years of the emissions modification date).

Sorry, not trying to be difficult. I brought it in last year for a AdBlue heater replacement and they told me then (after $200 diagnostic fee) that my emissions warranty was expired and I would have to pay the complete cost (got it done elsewhere for ~800)

 

[TurboABA]

That's fine....
Back you all you questions. You're not showing a VCDS scan, so we can't advise you on how to potentially address any of the issues.
If you want to trade up, that's your call... you need to see what you can get for your vehicle in its condition, and if it makes sense to you.
In terms of "longevity", you can read all over this forum what kind of personal experience users have with theirs, etc.
The emissions systems\components on any modern TDIs eventually fail or create issues.... if the owners don't stay on top of MILs and such, it leads to more problems, and typically not cheap ones.
Deletes are clearly an option, but quite spendy, so ROI may or may not be there.... once again, your own wallet will need to determine if it's "worth it"

 

[TurboABA]

(got it done elsewhere for ~800)

If you were considering deleting, why did you waste $800 on something you're going to delete now?

 

[samwise]

At the time, that was the only issue it had. So I thought deal with that and that would be the end of my problems for a couple years. Yes, if I would have known this new issue would happen, I wouldn't have done it, but who could know that for sure (first car I've owned, I'm going to make some mistakes from time to time). I was able to get VSDC data a few months ago from my mechanic.

Also I was considering deleting after my warrenty expires, just in case something bad happened. $800 is peanuts when compared to something such as a transmission issue, which are covered, but no issues there


Tuesday,05Tuesday,05,August,2025,15:10:13:08485
VCDS Version: Release 25.3.1 (x64) Running on Windows 11 x64
www.Ross-Tech.com

Address 01: Engine Labels:
03L-906-022-CFC.clb
Control Module Part Number: 03L 997 009 J HW: 03L 907 309 S
Component and/or Version: R4 2.0l TDI H24 9982
Software Coding: 001D0012842000000000
Work Shop Code: WSC 99916 999 00000
ASAM Dataset: EV_ECM20TDI01103L997009J
004005 (VW41)
ROD: EV_ECM20TDI01103L997009H.rod
VCID: BB36AA26324405435C-80EE

4 Faults Found:

11515 - Exhaust Gas Recirculation System
P240F 00 [11101101] - Response too Slow
MIL ON - Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear
Freeze Frame:
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 51
Mileage: 155620 km
Date: 2127.14.31
Time: 18:20:46

Engine speed: 1604.00 /min
Normed load value: 43.9 %
Vehicle speed: 85 km/h
Coolant temperature: 101 °C
Intake air temperature: 33 °C
Ambient air pressure: 976 mbar


Voltage terminal 30: 14.200 V
Unlearning counter according OBD: 40
EGR Vacuum Regulator Solen.val.: activation: 69.53 %
EGR Solen.val.: actual value: 68.92 %
Charge air pressure: specified value: 1159 hPa
Air mass: specified value: 249.3 mg/stroke
Air mass: actual value (mg/stroke): 333.5 mg/stroke
Air mass slow response air mass specified value negative slope: 1.6 mg/stroke

38303 - NOx Sensor 1 Bank 1
P2201 00 [01100000] - Implausible Signal
Intermittent - Not Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear

8863 - Particulate Filter
P2459 00 [11101101] - Regeneration Frequency
MIL ON - Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear
Freeze Frame:
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 5
Mileage: 155675 km
Date: 2127.14.31
Time: 17:45:48

Engine speed: 2339.00 /min
Normed load value: 0.0 %
Vehicle speed: 55 km/h
Coolant temperature: 99 °C


Intake air temperature: 29 °C
Ambient air pressure: 960 mbar
Voltage terminal 30: 14.120 V
Unlearning counter according OBD: 40
Exhaust gas jet volume in particle filter: 211.2 m³/h
Particle filter: difference pressure: 174 hPa
Particle filter: soot mass measured: 22.84 g
Particle filter: soot mass calculated: 22.83 g
Particle filter: differential pressure: dynamic offset: -30 hPa
Exhaust gas temperature sensor 3: 229.6 °C
Exhaust gas temperature sensor 4: 258.2 °C

8851 - EGR System
P0401 00 [10101000] - Insufficient Flow
MIL ON - Intermittent - Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear
Freeze Frame:
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 15
Mileage: 156636 km
Date: 2127.14.31
Time: 19:51:39

Engine speed: 1876.50 /min
Normed load value: 48.6 %
Vehicle speed: 99 km/h
Coolant temperature: 100 °C


Intake air temperature: 28 °C
Ambient air pressure: 980 mbar
Voltage terminal 30: 14.280 V
Unlearning counter according OBD: 40
Air mass: Specified value: 293.9 mg/stroke
Air mass: actual value (mg/stroke): 386.3 mg/stroke
EGR Solen.val.: actual value: 81.10 %
Throttle valve adapter: actual value: 100.04 %
Charge air pressure: specified value: 1228 hPa
Charge air pressure: actual value: 1211 hPa
Mean injection quantity: 14.71 mg/stroke

Readiness: 1 3 0 0 0

 

[TurboABA]

I was able to get VSDC data a few months ago from my mechanic.

First of all, you should not own a modern VAG vehicle and not have your own VCDS. Get one.
Were any of those faults addressed? Or have you just been ignoring them?
Just about any engine fault on a modern TDI will lead to failed regens, which will only get worse as the DPF fills up and all kinds of bad things happen.
You need to be able to interrogate the OBD and to know what's going on, if you want any hope of not having to go to a shop and just say

 

[privateTDIjet]

Honestly its real simple.

If you live in a emission testing state: sell it or get it fixed free by the dealership. Depends how much you can put up with it.

If you don't: delete and keep