Leaderboard

Hi I have come across this problem a lot, most garages only check the soot levels, what about the ASH thats the killer as it can't be burnt off as its like carbon bricks which can only come out the way it went in so therefore your OBD reader was bang on with the high sevens, that was the ASH, I had this when I worked on a Q3 recently soot was fine up to a point but the ash was at 55%, had the DPF professionally cleaned [off car] reinstalled it with a new MAF/MAP and DPF Pressure sensor and EGT, now been perfect for the last couple of months, soot calculated never more than 20g, soot measured after a regen -4g and ash at 1.8g. All good for another 140k. Steve.

It would be miraculous if you found two suitable seats in good condition. Have you considered having all the existing seats recovered in new fabric by a car trimmer?

Spartacus 68 think the service every 5k is probably sensible, I’m only doing around 6k miles a year now that stopped work and I do worry about doing short journeys in the main, it does get a run to Cornwall and back, about 600 miles a few times a year but carbon build up is a worry for me, not sure I should be worried but given it’s a 15 plate and only done 73k miles, like you I want to preserve it as long as possible, never had a car this comfortable that is such value for money, plus want to keep away from the dreaded swap to electric as long as possible because they are not right for me at present, I hate stopping on long journeys and if go to the continent why would you want to spend half your time looking for chargers and then sat in either a queue for one or waiting to get to a point where there is enough in the battery to reach a destination?

Perhaps you bought my GT?

I will need to follow this up and see why I'm not getting the same data. Nice colour by the way!!!

Thanks for the reply and it's nice to hear a different opinion on the issue. Deep down I've always thought it may be the DPF but the readings were OK from what I've been told by garages etc. I will now be able to monitor the levels at least as I have a measurement to go by. I'm more disappointed in the fact that 5 garages which 1 of them was Audi and 2 specialists that they never even considered the DPF. I just hope other Audi owners will see this and it will help them to find a cure. I'm currently 1250 deep resolving this. The DPF was 270 and labour 355 with new sensor. Can be done on the drive but never had to option to drop the sub frame. I hope this helps people have the confidence to tackle jobs themselves. Alot of Garage's now im my eyes are "fitters" not mechanics or engineers. To get refused work due to rusty bolts on a DPF is a give away that your in the wrong place ! Will keep everyone updated but as of now running better than ever !

To add to Magnet's suggestions, if you scroll to the bottom each page there is an advertisement for a custom hose company.

Thought I'd drop an update just incase it helps anyone else in the future. Final cause was the DPF. Wasn't showing any fault codes but was blocked solid. New DPF and temp sensor, a good Italian tune up to blow all the !Removed! out of exhaust and it seems good for now. Will keep updating but as far as now its 100% DPF. Current cost is £1250 with a the parts I've fitted so fingers crossed its good for a few years yet. But I've just won a mk2 golf gti with an r32 conversion so if anyone wants a A4 BRD tdi with 130k it may be up for sale soon.

IVe already uprated the lamps to LEDs but it’s such a small aperture, they just dont put out much light LED strip, thought about it, found 1 that attaches below the number plate, which I might give a go but it’s £45 & needs a hole drilling in the door. Others need 2 holes for each lamp & only surface mount, so wouldn’t look too good i was hoping someone else had tried adding something so I could pick their brain!

Thanks for your help Think i've found the rubber bung now Part number - 357121140

I have owned Audis before and they have been faultless, the Q6 is a totally different ownership and this will not doubt be my last Audi, people have spoken to me about the Q6 about buying one and I have told them all the issues with the car and told them to not waste your money, Audi have known about my issues for almost 12 Months and not a single issue has been resolved, get told it is just my car yet others report same issues. Shame as Audi used to be a decent brand. If they continue down the road they are travelling they will be just like JLR, building faulty cars that people move away from the brand and look where JLR are now.

Depends on your attitude to preventative maintenance, All my diesel Audis were over 150k miles and running sweet and that was based on 8-10k mile service intervals. On my 3.0TDI I've moved to 5k intervals. It's likely to be my last diesel, and possibly my last Audi, so want to hang on to it for as long as I can. I also service the car myself - so the filter and oil aren't going to break the bank and I'm not doing the same mileage I used to. I think because this is the first chain-driven Audi, then I want to avoid chain rattle, as that will be an engine out job to change plus the tensioners.

Great choice of the 3 , I went for the diesel , 700 nm mhev , manage 30/40 mpg around town , 44 on a decent run , just a tad over 70 mph ++++ 😉😉 . I can easily get that down to 19 mpg if I choose to 😮. I went from a Mercedes GLC 350 . 18 reg. No comparison tbh. Mercedes lost me when cost cutting interiors began to appear ( pretty plastics ) . Plastic seats etc . The sq5 is a thing of beauty 😍. The drive is brilliant 👍. Looking forward to winter snow to test out the quattro system with summer tyres . 😅

Could you change the bulbs for led? Or add an led strip on the bumper?

Thanks Bob, this explains it all. I couldn't find any adjustments available to turn down the sensitivity, which I don't mind, now that I know it's actually a feature of the car. Sounds like we both bought the same car at the same time!! I was tossing up between the BMW X3 M40i, MERC GLC300 and the AUDI. Actually had a deposit on the GLC, but then drove the SQ5 and absolutely loved the feel and drive. Not regretting my decision one little bit. Enjoy your drive and thanks for the info...!

That stuff can crystallise in the pipes at low (Adblue) fluid levels, it may need the pipework stripping out and flushing, possibly pump & injectors too if it’s done that. however, I’d get it to specialist, or if no other choice, get Audi to look at it.

Look after yourself Nicola, and remain steadfast in achieving the result you wish for. Fingers crossed it will successfully sort itself out in the end, and Audi will treat you with the respect you deserve. Regards, Gareth.

Sounds good then Chris. Price wise would also sound good. If the quality of your turns out to be anything like the one we had for the KA, you should be impressed - thicker spring pans, better paint protection etc. We gave the new frame a liberal coating of Waxoyl before fitting. Always worth doing. Let us know how you get on Chris. Kind regards, Gareth.