VW’s relatively simple technical fixes for cheating 1.6 and 2.0L diesels accepted by KBA; 1.2L fix coming by end of month
25 November 2015
The Volkswagen Group has proposed the specific technical fixes for the non-compliant 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter diesel EA 189 engines equipped with the software defeat device resulting in excessive NOxemissions to the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (Kraftfahrtbundesamt, KBA). Following an examination, these measures have been ratified by the KBA. (The remedies announced by Volkswagen AG apply only to affected TDI vehicles in Europe, and not to affected TDI vehicles in the United States and Canada.)
For the 1.6-liter diesel, a “flow transformer” will be fitted directly in front of the air mass sensor. This mesh will calm the swirled air flow in front of the air mass sensor and thus improving the measuring accuracy of the air mass sensor. The air mass sensor determines the current air mass throughput—a very important parameter for the engine management for an optimum combustion process.
In addition, a software update will be performed on this engine. The time needed for the implementation of the technical measures is expected to be less than one hour.
The 2.0 liter engines will get a software update. The pure labor time for this measure will be around half an hour.
Volkswagen says that after implementation of the technical measures, the vehicles will comply with the applicable emissions standards.
The final technical solution for the 1.2-liter diesel engine will be presented to the Federal Motor Transport Authority at the end of the month and is expected to comprise a software update.
Volkswagen said that due to advances in engine development and improved simulation of currents inside complex air intake systems, in combination with software optimization geared towards this, it was possible to produce a relatively simple and customer-friendly measure.
The objective for the development of the technical measures was to achieve the applicable emission targets in each case without any adverse effects on the engine output, fuel consumption and performance. However, as all model variants first have to be measured, Volkswagen cannot yet confirm that.
Based on these technical measures accepted by the Federal Motor Transport Authority, the necessary service concepts are currently being developed for the EU28 markets concerned. The aim is to implement the required technical update in the first vehicles during a recall from January 2016. According to the current assessment, all measures in the course of the recall for all engine variants will extend over the whole calendar year 2016.
Volkswagen will ensure that the time needed to implement the technical measures is as short as possible for all customers. In addition, Volkswagen will contact all customers and endeavor to consider individual customer needs during the implementation of these measures to avoid any disadvantages for the customer such as possible curbing of their mobility. In connection with this, the Volkswagen brand will thus ensure that all customers are offered appropriate replacement mobility options free of charge.
Based on the approach of the Volkswagen brand, the Group’s other brands—Audi, SEAT, ŠKODA and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles—are also planning corresponding measures for their affected vehicles.
In addition, until 31 December 2016, Volkswagen AG is expressly forgoing the right to plea on the grounds of statutes of limitations in respect of any warranty or guarantee claims due to the software installed in vehicles with EA 189 engines, as long as the rights to make any such claims have not already expired. Volkswagen customers will therefore not be disadvantaged by any waiting.
The affected vehicles remain technically safe and can therefore be driven on public roads without any limitation.
Either a pure software fix, or a very small hardware tweak plus software. This is almost exactly what I predicted.
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 25 November 2015 at 10:31 AM
I am sceptical. VW practically controls the relevant German authorities (and EUs). Moreover, if it was that simple why did VW do it in the first place? The extra pollution from VW emission scams has caused 10s of thousands of Europeans do die prematurely from all kinds of air pollution related deceases like cancer. And we still keep dying because VW has not fixed a single of the 11 million vehicles they have rigged to pollute similarly as up to 500 million vehicles that are in compliance. I for one am angry at VW for this appalling crime.
WHO on 7 million premature air pollution deaths.
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2014/03/20140325-who.html
Posted by: Account Deleted | 25 November 2015 at 10:51 AM
The way I am reading this:
'Volkswagen said that due to advances in engine development and improved simulation of currents inside complex air intake systems, in combination with software optimization geared towards this, it was possible to produce a relatively simple and customer-friendly measure.'
What is possible now might have been difficult to do a few years ago.
Above all, VW got into the head of fiddling the emission tests, and the EU regime encouraged and enabled this.
The civil servants had to shop them to the US university to get anything done.
Posted by: Davemart | 25 November 2015 at 01:59 PM
Remember that that these engines had no problem whatsoever to pass the emissions tests with the original software in greenwash mode on the dyno.
Therefore, exclusively from an emissions test standpoint, the spaghetti strainer in front of the airflow sensor is not necessary.
However, the new software will not simply run in the old greenwash mode all the time. It must make a delicate compromise between emissions and fuel consumption and power.
There is a fine line between optimum power, consumption, and emissions limits. More precise measurement of airflow allows more precise engine control, and allows the software to run closer to optimum power and consumption with reduced danger of crossing over the line into exceeding emissions limits.
Although the airflow smoothie probably does help reduce the undesirable side effects of reduced emissions, the advantage is probably no more than one or two mpg or horsepower. And again, it certainly was and is not absolutely necessary to meet emissions standards.
This fix is the final proof that VW deceived, not for technical reasons, but to gain an unfair illegal advantage over competitors.
Posted by: Fred H | 26 November 2015 at 12:19 AM
A "flow straightener" and new "flow meter" clears up 40 times over pollution limits?
BS(bullinblatin shitenmoden)
Posted by: kelly | 26 November 2015 at 10:28 AM
Interesting to compare the way the law, legal implications and penalties apply for "legally permitted' pollution vs "non compliant' vs criminal behavior with intent to deceive and consumer law.
It important that the penalties for this behavior is placed in worst category if we are to limit the recurrence throughout polluting industries or industries whose products are required to meet applicable standards.
Penalties in similar circumstances will be most effective if they send the signal to all that not only will the company risk termination, but CEO's will do time .
That is IMO is the shape a measured and balanced response needs to take to disincentivise behaviours.
Losing track of xtra deaths per year in the statistical background doesn't make them go away.
@ Kelly,
There is a very long history of magic answers with claims to (generically) improve hp mileage. The only proven benefit being to the scammers bank balance.
I think this one will be closely scrutinised and full disclosure of the 'fix and comparison resulting will be neccesary.
Posted by: Arnold | 26 November 2015 at 11:37 AM
"The extra pollution from VW emission scams has caused 10s of thousands of Europeans do die prematurely from all kinds of air pollution related deceases like cancer. And we still keep dying because VW has not fixed a single of the 11 million vehicles …..”
You wildly exaggerate the problem here, and in past posts you have suggested that VW owners themselves were complicit in the ‘murders’. Yet you love Teslas, which are powered by coal plants. Therefore, you support killing people in far greater numbers than any diesel owner. In the mean time, you drive a gasser, with its evaporative emissions, a whole category of pollution that is unique to gasoline only. These volatile gasses cause horrible deaths through cancer of all kinds. How do you live with yourself knowing that even a delay in replacing the gas cap after filling up is killing your fellow citizens? That gasoline you spilled on the ground contains benzenes, which we know seeps into groundwater and also causes cancers, not limited to humans, but instead to all living things. The genetic mutations benzenes cause will live on to cause unspeakable suffering to countless generations- all because you wanted to take a completely unnecessary drive to buy a Justin Bieber album. Your gas car, as well as your coal-powered Tesla both contribute more CO2 to the atmosphere than other forms of energy, which in turn has resulted in climate change which murders millions through crop failures and water shortages. It’s truly distressing to know that the likes of you will go on killing us. How do you sleep at night?
Your car will pollute 10 to 40 more times than allowed if any of the following systems are not kept in order:
spark plugs need replacement or cleaning
ignition timing needs adjustment
poor, contaminated or incorrect density or grade of fuel
poorly fitting gas cap…
I know you don’t check these things, Henrik. And because you don’t, you have blood on your hands.
Posted by: The Lurking Jerk | 27 November 2015 at 05:06 PM
Geez. $30 billion in market cap loss could have been avoided by an air baffle and a little software tweak. Who knew?
Posted by: electric-car-insider.com | 30 November 2015 at 05:42 PM