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.
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?
Not only will they undo the “fix”, they will end up with an engine that is better than what left the factory.
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.
You mean to say that after the hundreds of millions of garage checks and work on VWs that millions of garage mechanics didn’t know about this fraud and failed to report it? Sounds like collusion and gangsterism to me.
Rest In Peace, old friend, your work is finished.....
If you want ON or OFF the DIESEL ”KnOcK” LIST jut FReepmail me..... This is a fairly HIGH VOLUME ping list on some days.....
I cannot imagine anybody actually taking their VW TDI in to have them make it get less mileage! IT'S NOT A BUG, IT'S A FEATURE!................................
My 2006 Tdi (currently 152,000 miles) still going strong. Just routine maintenance so far.
Not being a so called "clean diesel" she's not fuel finicky. Kerosene, heating oil, Jet A/B, off road diesel up to 10% all can be burned. Not that I do it often, but have at times need to get rid of some of those. Much more environmentally friendly than other options.
TOLD YOU SO. LOL
Not sure it would work in one of the Communist controlled States. They actually have mobile “sniffers” set up on some Freeways.
You drive by, the sniffer senses too many pollutants in the Exhaust of your Car and you are sent a notice to have your Vehicle Smog Checked OR ELSE! They put them on the Entry Ramps when you are accelerating to merge into Traffic.
Doe anyone here recall when we lived in a FREE Country?
Once again, The Gruberment reaches into the lives of the peasants, and steals their time and money.