Posted on 09/24/2015 8:15:04 AM PDT by AdaGray
Volkswagen Emissions Fix May Not Last Long Thanks to Aftermarket Tuners
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2015/09/volkswagen-emissions-fix-may-not-last-long/
(Excerpt) Read more at thetruthaboutcars.com ...
There are a number of paths which Volkswagen may take that range from an ECM patch to new SCR hardware that could be installed.
The non-SCR models may get a software patch that would alter the injection timing and increase the regen cycle. This would cause the NOx emissions to go down but would take fuel economy and power along with it. It could also cause carbon build-up on the pistons and catalyst which could lead to increased maintenance costs for the owners.
The other path for the non-SCR cars is implementation of an SCR system, but that may not be cost effective due to the parts cost and labor required. I speculate that the SCR cars could receive an ECM patch that would increase regen cycles along with increasing the amount of Adblue that would be dosed. This would work out better than any fix for the non-SCR cars but would still result in higher Adblue costs.
Owners may look to the aftermarket to defeat these fixes so that they can keep their power and fuel economy.
The aftermarket community has released modifications for the DPF and Adblue SCR systems long before there was any talk of reduced power and economy coming from a potential fix for the emissions scandal. They looked to gain more power and better fuel economy by modifying or deleting the DPF system. Aftermarket tuners such as Rawtek and Malone Tuning produce kits for DPF models which replaces the DPF and EGR systems with stainless steel exhaust piping and tunes the ECM for better fuel economy and performance. They mark these systems as off-road only as they violate federal emissions laws. Rawtek also produces a kit for the Passat that deletes the Adblue SCR system along with the DPF and EGR and also advertises gains in power and fuel economy.
The tuners responded to the VW stop-gap recall which was released a few months ago, Volkswagen’s attempt to curtail this emissions scandal. The tuners let the owners know that they can revert the recall programming and reflash their previous tune for a minimal cost. The current versions of the ECM hardware and firmware may become an avenue for re-flashing if there is demand from owners after the recall fix as it would allow their vehicles to be reverted back to the programming they had when they purchased the vehicle.
In the end, unless Volkswagen implements some sort of encryption or lock on the fix, owners looking for power or economy will look to the aftermarket and revert back any emissions improvements that are made.
The bowback has hit Audi and BMW with their execs quitting today.
This is really getting good.
I noticed recently....the hyped-up job of electro-mechanic....which is a big deal now for European car brands....for this precise reason. The amount of computer action now requires some guy to know the modules and the version for the car he’s working on. So, as fast as some mechanic is fixing something....you may have to hire another guy to ‘unfix’ this and reset you to the better version.
Way to early to be speculating on the ultimate fix.
This has always been the case with diesel vehicles and gas vehicle for that matter.
I have a heavily modified pickup with a Duramax Diesel. When I bought it, it averaged 12.5MPG. After I got done “fixing” it, it averages 21.5MPG. Am I really polluting more now that I have removed a bed full of emissions stuff and use almost half the fuel to drive a mile?
No doubt the final fix will really hose the owners, choking down performance. Send them to Cuba or Mexico.
Not only will they undo the “fix”, they will end up with an engine that is better than what left the factory.
What happened at BMW?
According to the EPA, and numerous NGO “environmental” groups, your mods will kill thousands of people every year. Maybe millions.
Well if the manufacturer fixes it, they have no power with what an owner does with it in the aftermarket.
Hey, not everybody makes it.
I’ll reserve my doubts. The Germans are pretty good in the engineering department. ( full disclosure, I’m a Dubber, I own 2, 1 gas, 1 diesel, not affected )
While you are having fun in your truck, I hope you think about all the yellow speckled salamanders that you are murdering.
You monster!
LOL. I’m counting on this when they try to emasculate my Passat TDI
LOL. I’m counting on this when they try to emasculate my Passat TDI
What does BMW have to do with it?
If they can’t come up with a security method for preventing aftermarket tampering with the SCR system, they need to hire some smarter Chinese engineers who can.
If you don’t mind, what year is your truck? Did you do the ‘full delete’? I have a 2013. Once the warranty is out I plan on a full delete but if the increase is as good as you claim I might not wait that long...
My son has been trying to get me a tuner for my Passat TDI ever since I bought it. Mine is 2013. I don’t think they are affected. If it is, I will definitely go that route. No emissions checks in Florida.
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