2009 Polo 1.9 TDI pushing unburned diesel

[sArge_sF]

Hey guys,

My 2009 Polo 1.9 TDI has done around 63000km and has started to push dark smoke out of the exhaust on acceleration. My guess is the fuel to air ratio is too high and it's pushing out unburned diesel. Oil would push white smoke and the levels haven't dropped so I'm quite sure it's the diesel, or possibly an issue with the injector.

Of course, this car uses EFI and so a computer determines the ratio. Does anyone know of a good electronic diagnostician in the Somerset West / Strand area that can plug into the Polo's computer and run a full diagnostics test?

The car is now out of its service plan and I'm not very keen on dealing with VW again since they like to take a good 5 working days to do anything, and they never have a loan car on hand for me.

Thanks!

EDIT: I do have an extended service plan with Motorite, but not sure if they would cover something like this. Anyone had experience with it? I'll contact them on Monday to double check.

 

[Sinbad]

Most likely cause is a slight boost leak, followed by the mass air flow sensor.

 

[$m@Rt@$$]

Yeah, it's not because of unburnt diesel. Modern diesel engines are fitted with a EGR valve (Exhaust gas recirculation valve). This valve opens when the car does not burn all of its diesel en recirculates the exhaust gas through the intake once more.

Just remember - diesels do smoke under acceleration. You can look at any 'European' diesel motor.

Have you noticed it struggling to start lately? Any stuttering when idling or under acceleration?

 

[Digilus]

Hey guys,
Does anyone know of a good electronic diagnostician in the Somerset West / Strand area that can plug into the Polo's computer and run a full diagnostics test?

Give these guys a call - they are in Gants area. They specialise in just the VW/Audi family. The main dude (owner/mechanic) is called Conrad. He is one of those guys that actually takes effort to diagnose a problem not just say "yip new part X is needed". Been taking my Audi to them for 4 or 5 years now ever since Audi said I needed a 22k new steering rack - and then these guys said "nope, just a new battery cause it's an electric rack and is prone to misbehaving if battery is acting up" - it worked and has worked ever since .. so consider me sold on them.

911 Service Centre (yes they do Porches too - in fact he used to work for Porsche in the UK)
021-853-4924

 

[sArge_sF]

Yeah, it's not because of unburnt diesel. Modern diesel engines are fitted with a EGR valve (Exhaust gas recirculation valve). This valve opens when the car does not burn all of its diesel en recirculates the exhaust gas through the intake once more.

Just remember - diesels do smoke under acceleration. You can look at any 'European' diesel motor.

Have you noticed it struggling to start lately? Any stuttering when idling or under acceleration?

Thanks for your response. It always pushes dark smoke when taking off in first gear and when reversing, revving while idle, and accelerating in general. It's not a small amount either. I have a Renault Duster 1.5 diesel which has never pushed smoked, which is why this is concerning. It has no starting or idling issues at all.

What I have noticed is that the fuel economy is down significantly from what it was around 2 months.

Give these guys a call - they are in Gants area. They specialise in just the VW/Audi family. The main dude (owner/mechanic) is called Conrad. He is one of those guys that actually takes effort to diagnose a problem not just say "yip new part X is needed". Been taking my Audi to them for 4 or 5 years now ever since Audi said I needed a 22k new steering rack - and then these guys said "nope, just a new battery cause it's an electric rack and is prone to misbehaving if battery is acting up" - it worked and has worked ever since .. so consider me sold on them.

911 Service Centre (yes they do Porches too - in fact he used to work for Porsche in the UK)
021-853-4924

Thanks for the reference. They're RMI accredited so Motorite will work with them which is great. I'll take it in for an inspection on Monday and update on what the diagnosis is.