Diesel particulate filter warning light...

S

stevewestern

Suspended / Banned
Messages
5,472
Edit My Images
Yes
The warning light on my Citroën Berlingo (90,000 miles) has come on. How urgent is it to get replaced? I have to drive 250 miles home tomorrow, then another 200 on Tuesday, and 500 Thursday, almost all motorway. I'll call the garage tomorrow first thing but if any experts can put my mind at ease it works be appreciated..!
 
The 4 hour motorway drive could help clear the DPF. It tends to be lots of short journeys that cause them to get blocked and require regeneration so a decent long run at relatively high revs (over 2000 RPM IIRC) should do it some good. Check with your garage first though, just in case this is bad advice. (BTW, a main dealer will probably say it needs replacing while a good independent may say different!)
 
Filter or fluid? - double check what the warning is telling you.

Filter might just need a regen on a longer run, but a fluid shortage warning (90k is into the range that might happen) will drop the car into limp mode if you ignore it.
 
Alastair said:
Filter or fluid? - double check what the warning is telling you.

Filter might just need a regen on a longer run, but a fluid shortage warning (90k is into the range that might happen) will drop the car into limp mode if you ignore it.
Click to expand...

Oh dear - it is fluid.
Any idea how long I may have..? We need to get home tomorrow, and I have already driven 75 miles since the light came on...
Why does this sort of thing always happen at the worst time..
I had the car MOT'ed and serviced only a few weeks ago so thought I was well prepared for the winter.
 
I think eurocarparts stocks fluid. I'd also hassle whoever did the service as they didn't do a proper job. They should have checked the fluid!

Depends on the car, how much is left and the rate at which it is using it up. Once it gets really low you may find it just cuts the engine and that's it. It will either not start or you'll get disco worth warning lights on.
 
stevewestern said:
Oh dear - it is fluid.
Any idea how long I may have..? We need to get home tomorrow, and I have already driven 75 miles since the light came on...
Why does this sort of thing always happen at the worst time..
I had the car MOT'ed and serviced only a few weeks ago so thought I was well prepared for the winter.
Click to expand...
Not long. I'd drop into the dealer before you set off home.

You need a dealer if it's eolys (pre-BlueHDI) as the whole bag is replaced and the computer needs to be reset with a reader. Odds are the bag isn't actually empty, but that won't help you even if it is the case. Not sure if you can refill and reset it yourself if it's a BlueHDI.

I wouldn't think this is a normal service item, and you're at the low end of the range of the mileage you'd expect it - I guess you tend to top up the fuel tank rather than run it down towards empty.
 
Alastair said:
Not long. I'd drop into the dealer before you set off home.

You need a dealer if it's eolys (pre-BlueHDI) as the whole bag is replaced and the computer needs to be reset with a reader. Odds are the bag isn't actually empty, but that won't help you even if it is the case. Not sure if you can refill and reset it yourself if it's a BlueHDI.

I wouldn't think this is a normal service item, and you're at the low end of the range of the mileage you'd expect it - I guess you tend to top up the fuel tank rather than run it down towards empty.
Click to expand...
Many thanks for your help - I'll call in at the local dealer in the morning. I tend to fill the tank from close to empty, and the engine is pre blue HDI.
Another reason why a visit to the in-laws is always hard work...
 
Last edited:
stevewestern said:
Oh dear - it is fluid.
Any idea how long I may have..? We need to get home tomorrow, and I have already driven 75 miles since the light came on...
Why does this sort of thing always happen at the worst time..
I had the car MOT'ed and serviced only a few weeks ago so thought I was well prepared for the winter.
Click to expand...

Does it not give you a message to say how many miles left / countdown to running out - I would have thought this is a light to say replenish as getting low.

If it is Adblue, you can buy it from Halfords etc to refill yourself - http://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine-oils-fluids/fuel-oil-additives/adblue-10-litre-can - depending on what size tank you have ?

It's about £10 at Eurocarparts at present with their 32% discount code on the website

Was it an independent or dealer you had the car serviced at - I would have thought this was a service item (even if as an extra chargeable item, i would have thought it would have been checked)
 
andyred said:
Does it not give you a message to say how many miles left / countdown to running out - I would have thought this is a light to say replenish as getting low.

If it is Adblue, you can buy it from Halfords etc to refill yourself - http://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine-oils-fluids/fuel-oil-additives/adblue-10-litre-can - depending on what size tank you have ?

It's about £10 at Eurocarparts at present with their 32% discount code on the website

Was it an independent or dealer you had the car serviced at - I would have thought this was a service item (even if as an extra chargeable item, i would have thought it would have been checked)
Click to expand...
No message about miles left, and the garage is an independent place and a good one (in my opinion) that uses genuine parts (its part of a good garage scheme thing) and usually they are hot on advising well in advance if something needs looking at..
 
andyred said:
Was it an independent or dealer you had the car serviced at - I would have thought this was a service item (even if as an extra chargeable item, i would have thought it would have been checked)
Click to expand...
I'm not sure on the Berlingo, and there's a difference between 1.6HDi and 2.2HDi engines, but around 100k is the usual fluid replacement. There's at least four different combinations of fluid and reservoir - but if it's not a BlueHDi (Steve says it isn't) then it's not AdBlu but one of two diferent Eolys fluids, and either a refillable tank (or more likely) a replaceable pouch. It's not easy to check the fluid status.

The Citroen Car Club and Picasso Owners forums have full details.


I run a C3 Picasso 1.6HDi, and fwiw I'd be dropping into a dealer first thing in the moning and not risking a run home. You need a Lexia unit to reset the computer, so even if you do manage to buy it yourself you still need the dealer to do the rest unless you happen to have access to a Lexia unit by other means.
 
Alastair said:
I'm not sure on the Berlingo, and there's a difference between 1.6HDi and 2.2HDi engines, but around 100k is the usual fluid replacement. There's at least four different combinations of fluid and reservoir - but if it's not a BlueHDi (Steve says it isn't) then it's not AdBlu but one of two diferent Eolys fluids, and either a refillable tank (or more likely) a replaceable pouch. It's not easy to check the fluid status.

The Citroen Car Club and Picasso Owners forums have full details.


I run a C3 Picasso 1.6HDi, and fwiw I'd be dropping into a dealer first thing in the moning and not risking a run home. You need a Lexia unit to reset the computer, so even if you do manage to buy it yourself you still need the dealer to do the rest unless you happen to have access to a Lexia unit by other means.
Click to expand...

Aah, in that case, then yes, I think it'd be a trip as he is going to, to the local dealer...
 
i suspect the warning is it is low, so yes get it topped up but as people have said the DPF fluid is only used during a regen so lots of miles at a higher than average RPMand you should have no issues.
 
Mr Bump said:
i suspect the warning is it is low, so yes get it topped up but as people have said the DPF fluid is only used during a regen so lots of miles at a higher than average RPMand you should have no issues.
Click to expand...
Not in a Citroen.
 
A new filter is what the dealers say, so my Christmas has started with a £350 repair bill - hey, the kids didn't want presents anyway....
All the help has been much appreciated as always!
 
Some of the DPFs are far more than that to replace. Double or triple. Be happy :)
 
stevewestern said:
Overjoyed. That's me!
Hey, at least it cuts the time spent with the in-laws..
Every cloud and all that.!
Click to expand...
Ask the garage if you can keep the old one - might be useful for an 'unexpected' car fault at convenient moments...
 
Llamaman said:
Ask the garage if you can keep the old one - might be useful for an 'unexpected' car fault at convenient moments...
Click to expand...
Sadly I didn't see this until too late, but so excellent suggestion!
The repair ended up costing £385 as it needed regeneration as well - seems I was close to a big-time failure so even more gratitude to all for your suggestions. The car seems to run much 'free-er' and possibly is giving me an extra mile or two per gallon. Now all I need is two new tyres and to get the aircon recharged. In January I think..
 
Or when the next in-law visit is due!

Glad that those better versed in Citroen Diesels gave you better advice than mine.
 
nilagin said:
And when your petrol car has to have a GPF?
Click to expand...

Well, I don't have to have one and if they ever do introduce them, they had better make damn sure they are fit for purpose and don't require long runs to clear them because that simply won't happen where I live.

A quick google though

The biggest technical challenge encountered on diesel engines is undoubtedly how to get rid of the soot that accumulates in the filter. For some in the automotive industry this will lead to uncomfortable memories of clogged DPFs and the headlines that followed, but all the indications are that gasoline particulate filters would be a very different proposition.

Higher exhaust gas temperatures mean that GPFs should be able to regenerate passively most of the time, which greatly simplifies the task of managing them – so much so that Chappelle doesn’t anticipate using an active regen strategy at all. Instead, he believes existing sensors and a sophisticated soot model will be enough to monitor the GPF with no additional hardware. “Gasoline is a completely different situation from diesel. It’s much easier to burn soot and you have far more opportunities during normal driving to achieve the right temperature,” he comments. “It just increases the cost if you start adding a lot of control systems, which would be a pity for our customers if those systems aren’t needed. We think we can prove that it will be sufficiently efficient without any systems to control it.”
Click to expand...

http://www.lubricants.total.com/news/new-gasoline-particulate-filters-gpf.html
 
Last edited:
ecoleman said:
Well, I don't have to have one and if they ever do introduce them, they had better make damn sure they are fit for purpose and don't require long runs to clear them because that simply won't happen where I live.
Click to expand...
They are already being introduced. Petrol will only produce higher exhaust temps on long runs, stop start traffic where the engine rarely gets above 2000rpm won't be producing higher temps.
 
That's why hybrids and electric cars are far better. Electric in crawling traffic and normal engine for open roads.
 
nilagin said:
They are already being introduced. Petrol will only produce higher exhaust temps on long runs, stop start traffic where the engine rarely gets above 2000rpm won't be producing higher temps.
Click to expand...

Then as I say, the need to make them fit for purpose or they are going to have a lot of angry customers banging at their doors.
Not everybody drives long distance or live anywhere near roads where you can.

My average speed over the last three years is 37mph, my nearest motorway is 40 miles away.

I wonder how many unnecessary trips are made every year by motorists driving to find a motorway and then tearing down the motorway for how ever long required just to clear their filters.
 
Last edited:
ecoleman said:
Then as I say, the need to make them fit for purpose or they are going to have a lot of angry customers banging at their doors.
Not everybody drives long distance or live anywhere near roads where you can.

My average speed over the last three years is 37mph, my nearest motorway is 40 miles away.

I wonder how many unnecessary trips are made every year by motorists driving to find a motorway and then tearing down the motorway for how ever long required just to clear their filters.
Click to expand...
They are fit for purpose, having to fit many purposes, but due to customers not buying cars fit for their own purpose, failures will happen.
 
nilagin said:
They are fit for purpose, having to fit many purposes, but due to customers not buying cars fit for their own purpose, failures will happen.
Click to expand...

Do you realise how silly that sounds?
People do buy buy cars to fit their purpose. We buy petrol cars because we don't drive long distances at speed.
If filters are fitted to petrol cars, what do you suggest those people buy?

Anyway it's speculation at the moment. VW seem to be the only manufacturer committed to this and experts suggest that regeneration would be largely passive anyway.
 
Last edited:
ecoleman said:
Do you realise how silly that sounds?
People do buy buy cars to fit their purpose. We buy petrol cars because we don't drive long distances at speed.
If filters are fitted to petrol cars, what do you suggest those people buy?

Anyway it's speculation at the moment. VW seem to be the only manufacturer committed to this and experts suggest that regeneration would be largely passive anyway.
Click to expand...
Do you realise how silly you sound. It's not speculation, engines currently in development and due out next year have GPF's depending on the vehicle they will be fitted to. Some cars already have them. All manufacturers are committed to it, as all manufacturers have to meet emissions regulations. More and more cities are imposing emission exclusion zones, meaning older, dirtier vehicles won't be allowed to use the roads.
Suz has given other options, hybrids or electric.
 
Last edited:
nilagin said:
Do you realise how silly you sound. It's not speculation, engines currently in development and due out next year have GPF's depending on the vehicle they will be fitted to. All manufacturers are committed to it, as all manufacturers have to meet emissions regulations. More and more cities are imposing emission exclusion zones, meaning older, dirtier vehicles won't be allowed to use the roads.
Suz has given other options, hybrids or electric.
Click to expand...

Oh, so because I live rural I have to buy an over priced electric car that can't go more than a 100 miles or so, or Toyota Prius?

Yeah right!

Could you point me in the direct of information that suggests that all car makers have committed to fitting these filters. The only manufacturer that pops up in a Google search is VW and even then its only to be fitted to their TSI and TFSI turbo engines for the moment.
 
Last edited:
ecoleman said:
Oh, so because I live rural I have to buy an over priced electric car that can't go more than a 100 miles or so, or Toyota Prius?

Yeah right!
Click to expand...
If that is what suits your needs more so than anything else, the answer is yes. If you want something else, you take your chances and hope nothing goes wrong with the emissions systems in the car you do buy as a result. It's the price we pay for the ever increasing need to lower emissions.
 
Isn't technology marvellous? By using a DPF particulates can be reduced to avoid smog. And with an ignore filter individual exposure to annoying levels of smug can also be reduced.
 
Alastair said:
Isn't technology marvellous? By using a DPF particulates can be reduced to avoid smog. And with an ignore filter individual exposure to annoying levels of smug can also be reduced.
Click to expand...
Technology not needed. Just stick fingers in ears and bury head in sand for maximum filtration. (y)
 
srichards said:
That's why hybrids and electric cars are far better. Electric in crawling traffic and normal engine for open roads.
Click to expand...

agree 100% but to be fair anything that reduces pollution is good regardless of cost, we can't simply continue as we are.
 
stevewestern said:
Sadly I didn't see this until too late, but so excellent suggestion!
The repair ended up costing £385 as it needed regeneration as well - seems I was close to a big-time failure so even more gratitude to all for your suggestions. The car seems to run much 'free-er' and possibly is giving me an extra mile or two per gallon. Now all I need is two new tyres and to get the aircon recharged. In January I think..
Click to expand...

glad you got it fixed but £385 for 90, 000 miles it is not realy much.
 
ecoleman said:
Could you point me in the direct of information that suggests that all car makers have committed to fitting these filters. The only manufacturer that pops up in a Google search is VW and even then its only to be fitted to their TSI and TFSI turbo engines for the moment.
Click to expand...
The only cars that will require GPF's are those with forced induction and direct injection (GTDI) where the fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber instead of the naturally aspirated (PFI) where fuel is injected into the inlet manifold. GTDI engines are becoming more and more widespread as they produce more power for less fuel, on the whole they are also much cleaner apart from the fact they produce soot particulates although in a smaller quantity and size than diesels which are also direct injection.
Cars that already have a GPF are likely to be producing higher levels of soot without them fitted. To meet the next emissions regulations, not all GTDI engines will require them, it will depend on how much soot the engine produces in the car that it is to be installed. A small car isn't likely to need one, but a medium or large car will. Moving onto the next emissions regulation after that, all GTDI engines will likely need them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top