DPF Woes....

Shelster

Shelster

Shelster

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Location
Plymouth, UK
..and how my car car is trying to break me...

Car in question is an 08 Fiat 500 1.3 16v diesel.

A few days ago (think Thursday last week) the DPF clogged warning light and message came on. Drove like I normally do when that happens (stick ti 3rd gear and revs in the 2-3.5k range) and that did not clear it as usual. So saturday morning went for a run out on main A road down here for 10 miles out and 10 back, sticking to 4th and revs in the 3k range.

The good news is that is did clear finally after the 20 miles, but the car decided to throw up a warning light for Engine Oil Change. Bit strange as it was only changed back in June when the glow plug that had snapped off when it was being changed had to be bored out and the engine flushed...but that is a whole other story.

Checked oil level and all was good, but topped up with a litre of fresh to take level to max on dip stick. Then had to use MultiECUScan to get in and reset service indication and also the oil change indication. All was looking good.

Checked the DPF and the level on there said 34%......so thats good thinks me. Drive 2 miles to go collect Mrs S rom work and the DPF clogged light comes back on.....Sunday do another 20 odd miles run and the light clears.

Now this morning after onlyh doing a run to collect Mrs S from work and then a 6 miles too and from work for me yesterday, the bloody DPF clogged light is back on.

Anyone any idea what the hell is going on?

Does it sound like the DPF is on it's way out? Do I need to go on a slighlty longer journey to fully clear the filter? How likely is the car to conk out on me? We are planning to go to London for New Year and Mrs S not happy with going in the car at the moment

This is the end of the line for the car...has cost far too much in the way of money and trouble. WIll be getting sold as Mrs S is getting a new Mini on lease from work adn that is due in 8 weeks or so.

Just need to keep this car going till then
 
What oil you using.

Oil change indicator might be due to the regen method fiat use where the extra furling might be making its way into the sump
 
Simon said:
What oil you using.

Oil change indicator might be due to the regen method fiat use where the extra furling might be making its way into the sump
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Using full synthetic 5/30

Armageus said:
Pop down the local motor factors, you can get an additive you add to the fuel which helps clean the DPF. Not a long term solution, but may make a difference in the short term.

e.g. something like this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Forte-DPF-Cleaner-Regenerator-400ml/dp/B0061ATRK2
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Saw that and am planning to nip down to Eurocarparts and get some from them, add, fill up and go on a nice long trip to Exeter and back.

Am also a bit concerend after doing some more reading on line about this...seems that the oil can become contaminated with diesel and then act as a fuel in it's own right and lead to engine runaway...which does not sound good at all. Going to find out how much an oil change would cost. Would try it myself but do not have tray for catching spent oil in or filter removal tool and as this wil be the only time I am doing it, don't want to spend the money on bits that will only be used once...plus then have to store them and having no garage or shed that becomes troublesome
 
You could also grab yourself a copy of multiecuscan and a ELM lead and run your own regeneration.

I have done it on the other half's Fiat Sedici and it worked a treat. Scary stuff and don't park it over anything that will burn but totally cleared mine.
 
With regards the oil change light is it possible the garage didn't reset it when they changed the oil "unexpectedly"?
 
Divine - next car comes with full service plan included in teh lease costs, so won't be doing them myself.

Third - already have this. Have connected up and get the following readings re the DPF and Oil

Oil deg level - 83.921%
Oil Change Counter - 9
Odometer at last forced regen - 101603.3km
Odometer at last spontaneous regen - 0km
Odometer at last forced regen - 0km
Particulate filter clogging - 36.59%
Particle Filter Temp - 36 degrees
Regenration Process - 0.000%
Forced regeneration state - Generic error

This was when I was sat in a car park and after some town driving. Rechecked after a town pootle around and got the following

Odometer at last forced regen - 101614.4.3km
Odometer at last spontaneous regen - 9.2km
Odometer at last forced regen - 9.2km
Particulate filter clogging - 34.97%
Particle Filter Temp - 36 degrees
Regenration Process - 0.000%
Forced regeneration state - Generic error
Total number of regenrations - 209

The big question is...what the hell is going on? The oil deg level was at 100% when I reset it on sunday....so using the car for about 20 miles worht of driving has caused a 16% degredation in the oil? Realsise it does not actually sample the oil, but uses an algorhtym to work things out, butthis does seem very excessive to me.

Re the forced regen - did you do it away from habitation? From what I sumise, the car basically sits at high revs for a period of time. Similar to what you would be doing on a long journey / run, but sat still. Have thought about doing it but really do not want to pee off the neighbours and also run risk of puttin goily deposits on our drive - Mrs S would not like that one bit.

Simon - yeah was a reputable brand of oil that I put in, even said on the bottle that it was suited for cars with DPF's

I put some additive in just now and will take the car out on long run tonight. Will have the ECUScan connected so can see what happens to the temp of the filter. I was under the impression that the temp would be somewhere of 400 degrees upwards when it was regenerating.
 
Shelster said:
ECUScan shows no reported faults......plus there is no smoke pouring out of the back either at idle or under load
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You won't see any smoke out the exhaust as the DPF is catching it. An egr fault could cause excess smoke but no fault code or a boost leak etc. Could also be a faulty DPF sensor reporting incorrect soot levels.
 
Dangerous Dave said:
You won't see any smoke out the exhaust as the DPF is catching it. An egr fault could cause excess smoke but no fault code or a boost leak etc. Could also be a faulty DPF sensor reporting incorrect soot levels.
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Did think about a faulty sensor.

What si this EGR that you speak of? Not heard of that...but I have zero mechanic knowledge...I would be laughing if it was a fault with a radar or radio system....damn oily stuff
 
The sensor will be a pressure sensor before and after the DPF to monitor blocking. The high revs at idle is actually using a post injection strategy to heat the exhaust levels up to a level to try and burn any soot off.

The result of this process causes a lot of fuel to get into the oil as not all of it is burning in the combustion chamber - some it burning in the exhaust ports to elevate temperatures and some is running down the cylinders in to the sump

one issue with DPF is the metals used in engine oils tend to block them, hence the need for special oils. However if the engine is burning a lot of oil this becomes rather academic

Oh and take it for a long drive and drive it hard, that's the best way to clean it. 6 mile trips in a diesel isn't ideal and also questions why you got a horrible diesel in the first place.
 
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Simon said:
6 mile trips in a diesel isn't ideal and also questions why you got a horrible diesel in the first place.
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I was about to question this - I forgot FIAT did 1.3L diesel engines; god knows why, especially in something like a 500 which probably hasn't been bought to munch up many motorway miles in the first place.
 
Was Mrs who bought the car before I knew her......I shall say no more. She thought it would be ideal for her running back and too to work and around town. SHe now regrets the purchase.

Am taking it into the garage tomorrow morning for oil change as need it done and back as quick as. Mrs S not happy with me messing aroud with oil on the drive.....love how women prioritise things.

As said, will be going for good long drive tonight to give it a good burn and see what is going on. Only need to keep going for 2 months so hopefully this will not be a death knoll for the car
 
When was the last time you ragged the absolute nuts off it?

DPF's need some stick to help clean them out on a regular basis; chugging along on short journeys will clog them relatively quickly. Get it good an hot and get some flow through it.
 
Jumpy - Sunday....gave it a danm good shoeing with a very heavy right foot on all pull aways. Went on A38 for 30 mins doing 70 at 3k rpm.....will be going longer tonight
 
Shelster said:
Jumpy - Sunday....gave it a danm good shoeing with a very heavy right foot on all pull aways. Went on A38 for 30 mins doing 70 at 3k rpm.....will be going longer tonight
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30mins at 70mph with a few pull aways is hardly ragging it.
 
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