Audi A1 DPF Failure: Black Smoke and Power Loss Fix

I had a very similar issue with my 2014 Audi A3 diesel last year. As someone with some hands-on experience maintaining diesel engines, I recognized the symptoms immediately. The reduced power and black smoke during acceleration were identical to what you describe. My workshop diagnosed a faulty exhaust back pressure sensor, which was causing incorrect readings and affecting the DPF regeneration cycle. The diagnostic process took about an hour, and they confirmed it wasnt a complete DPF failure, which was a relief. The repair cost me 245 Euro including parts and labor. The fix resolved both the power issues and the excessive smoke. The engine returned to normal performance immediately after the sensor replacement. To provide more specific advice about your A1, could you share: Current mileage, Service history regarding DPF maintenance, Any previous regeneration attempts, Error codes if you have them These details would help determine if your issue is identical to what I experienced or if theres something else to consider with the pressure sensor system.

Last service was done at 55000 KM and current mileage is 59787 KM. Thanks for sharing your experience. My initial error scan showed P2002 and P2459 codes related to the diesel exhaust system. The low pressure readings appear similar to your case, which gives me hope its just a sensor issue rather than a complete particulate filter failure. I will get it checked at the workshop tomorrow and update once I know more about the exact issue with the diesel engine.

Thanks for the update. The error codes P2002 and P2459 match exactly what my Audi A3 showed when the pressure sensor failed. Given your relatively low mileage and recent service history, this reinforces my initial thought that its likely a sensor issue rather than a complete DPF problem. When my emission control system threw these codes, the workshop first checked the electrical connections to the pressure sensor, as sometimes corrosion can trigger similar symptoms. In my case, the sensor itself had failed, but its worth having them check the wiring first since its a much cheaper fix. The reduced power mode you are experiencing is a protective measure the engine management system activates when it detects irregular exhaust pressure readings. This is actually good as it prevents potential damage to the diesel engine components. Based on our shared experience with these Audi diesel models, I expect youll be looking at a similar repair cost around 250 Euro. Make sure they clear the error codes and verify normal pressure readings after the repair. Keep us posted about what the workshop finds. It would be helpful for others facing similar exhaust system issues.

Thanks for the input. Just got back from the workshop and wanted to close this thread with an update. The diagnosis confirmed what was suggested, it was indeed a faulty pressure sensor causing the emission control system problems. They found some corrosion on the sensor connections which was causing incorrect readings and preventing proper particulate filter regeneration. Total repair cost came to 235 Euro including parts, labor and diagnostic fee. They cleaned the connections, replaced the faulty sensor and cleared the error codes. The reduced power issue is completely resolved and the engine is running normally again with no black smoke. Really glad it wasnt a complete DPF failure as I feared. The low pressure readings were definitely misleading at first. For anyone else facing similar symptoms, definitely worth checking the sensor and connections before assuming worst case scenarios with the diesel exhaust system. Will update the service records to track this repair in case similar issues come up in the future. Thanks again for helping me understand what to expect at the workshop.