VW Beetle DPF Failure Causing Black Smoke Issues

Having moderate experience with vehicle diagnostics and emission control systems, I dealt with a very similar issue on my 2016 VW Golf 2.0 TDI. The symptoms you describe match exactly what I experienced, DPF warnings, failed regeneration attempts, and black smoke during acceleration. After running basic car maintenance checks, the workshop confirmed it was indeed a faulty exhaust back pressure sensor. The sensor provides crucial data for engine performance and DPF operation. When it fails, the entire emission control system gets confused about when to trigger regeneration cycles. The repair involved: Complete diagnostic scan, Sensor replacement, System reset, Test drive to verify proper DPF operation Total cost came to 245€, including parts and labor. Since the fix, the engine performance returned to normal and all emission-related warnings cleared up. Before suggesting more specific solutions, could you share: Current mileage, Service history, especially DPF-related maintenance, Any recent engine work, Check engine light status, Scan tool error codes if available This information would help determine if your case might need additional attention beyond the sensor replacement.

Last service was done at 42000km and they did not mention any issues with the emission control system. The vehicle diagnostics test from yesterday shows error codes P2002 and P2459, suggesting the DPF and back pressure issues. The auto repair estimate for sensor replacement is 290€, which seems high compared to your experience. The exhaust system was inspected during the last service with no reported problems. Engine performance is generally good except during attempted regeneration cycles. Would replacing just the sensor be enough, or should I consider a complete DPF cleaning given my mileage of 44455km?

Those error codes definitely confirm our similar exhaust sensor problems. In my case, the sensor replacement alone resolved the issue without needing a full DPF cleaning. Your mileage is actually lower than when my problems started (mine was at 52000km). 290€ does seem a bit steep for the exhaust back pressure sensor replacement. The part itself typically costs around 120-140€ for our VW models. You might want to get a second quote from another workshop that specializes in vehicle emissions systems. The error code combination you mentioned (P2002 and P2459) matches exactly what my vehicle diagnostics showed. After the sensor replacement, my vehicle emissions returned to normal and the DPF started regenerating properly again. The black smoke during acceleration completely stopped within a few driving cycles. Given your relatively low mileage and recent service history, I would start with just the sensor replacement. A full DPF cleaning likely isnt necessary yet, as most DPF systems are designed to run properly for at least 80000km when the emission control components work correctly. Just ensure the workshop performs a proper system reset and verification after the sensor replacement. This allows the engine management system to relearn the correct exhaust back pressure values.

Thanks for the detailed sensor replacement info. After getting a second quote from another workshop (210€), I decided to go ahead with just the exhaust back pressure sensor replacement. The significant price difference made it worth shopping around. The car maintenance records and low mileage convinced me to hold off on the full DPF cleaning for now. It makes sense to start with the more likely and cost-effective fix, especially since the symptoms match your experience so closely. Will proceed with the repair next week and make sure they do the system reset you mentioned. Really hoping this resolves the emission control issues and gets the DPF regenerating normally again. Will monitor the exhaust system performance after the fix to ensure the black smoke issue clears up as expected. Thanks again for saving me from potentially unnecessary DPF work. Will update once the sensor replacement is done.