Correct Method For Dpf Regen..

[exponential]

Hi guys.

Just a quick one really.

What is the most effecient way to clear my DPF on a motorway journey?

Ive read so many conflicting views on this and would like an answer from you bunch of clued up people.

Is it 70 in 4th for ten minutes, 60 in 3rd for 20 mins etc etc.

My DPF regen fault is occuring more and more regular now and am worried about it going into limp mode! :(

[DJ_Andy_M]

I would like to know this too because every Hendy garage I have spoken to has told me different, and several sources all over the web tell me different too.

My car recently went into Hendy for a 75,000 mile service and an "engine malfunction" and was told that the DPF would only regen 1 more time (although, the car didn't go into limp mode with this message!)

I'm always doing long distances on the motorway, and yet this seems to make no difference. The guy at Hendy the other day said I had to be revving above 3000rpm for 20 minutes!

Exponential: Your EGR valve is more likely to send your car into limp mode before your DPF. I had mine replaced recently at the tune of £509 because the garage it ended up in after the EGR valve causing the car not to start at all didn't have a clue and gave it to Ford.

I also heard from Hendy, the MK3 Focus has a "Ceramic DPF" and therefore doesn't get blocked. I'm wondering if a new DPF to the MK2/MK2.5 would be one of these?

[jg321]

All I can give you is my experience. Bear in mind I have the "old" style DPF, which needs the Eoyls fluid. I drive mine "normally". This means a mixture of motorway and town driving. I don't do anything special. If I'm feeling "good" on the motorway, I drive it a bit less than 70 on the speedo in 5th, revs around 2000. Sometimes I burst to 80, which if I recall correctly is around 2,500 RPM. Non-motorway (I drive to Rochdale every day, and go through Middleton more often than not cos the motorway sucks), I stick to 30, in 4th. Anywhere between 1,500 RPM and 2,000.

Got car with 17,500 miles, it's now about to do 41,000. I've not had a single issue with the DPF. I'm sure it's regenerated in that time, many times, but I've not noticed it to be honest. Sometimes I think I can notice the regen, when it's around the XX300 and XX700. From memory, the fan is still on when I turn the engine off (excluding when the AC is on, which I believe is normal). When this happens, I just walk away and leave it, don't do anything special.

So... if you do take it on the motorway at least once a month (I've only lived here a year, and used to only go on the motorway once a month, it was fine!), and you're still having issues, I would think you have something else wrong which is resulting in the DPF being clogged. As has been mentioned, especially with you having the newer "coated" DPF, you really shouldn't even notice it's there. I'd try and work out what is clogging it, as unless you're driving around in 4th doing 20 MPH with your foot to the floor, it doesn't sound like your driving style.

Hope this helps - not trying to be a smart-!Removed!, just giving you my honest experience!

Jon

[DJ_Andy_M]

Neither of us have the coated DPF, and I want one.

I normally drive 30mph in 3 about 2k revs, and 50 in 4th about 2k revs. I drive it more like a petrol rather than a Diesel.

[jg321]

I think Exponential does. Mine is the last of the non-coated ones, so if his is a 2009 one, chances are it is.

Sounds like you drive similar to me to be honest. Your issues might be Eolys fluid related, but you may of course have had that topped up. I believe lack of that = lack of regeneration = blocked DPF.

A friend of mine had a Zafira with a DPF, that had been driven by pensioners before him. Nothing he did, including cleaning the EGR, many many forced regens (as in with the software at the garage), would fix it. Some part of it was sooted/clogged beyond repair.

[DJ_Andy_M]

I think Exponential does. Mine is the last of the non-coated ones, so if his is a 2009 one, chances are it is.

Sounds like you drive similar to me to be honest. Your issues might be Eolys fluid related, but you may of course have had that topped up. I believe lack of that = lack of regeneration = blocked DPF.

A friend of mine had a Zafira with a DPF, that had been driven by pensioners before him. Nothing he did, including cleaning the EGR, many many forced regens (as in with the software at the garage), would fix it. Some part of it was sooted/clogged beyond repair.

Looking at it he has the same engine and mk focus as mine, just a year older than mine.

[exponential]

Hi guys.

Sorry for the delay in posting. Havn't been receiving any email updates for new posts..

Anyway, thanks for the responses so far.

I personally tend to drive at 30 in 3rd (around 2000rpm) and 70 in 5th (around 2000rpm)with the occasional blast just to feel that nice turbo kick in! :)

Once a month I will take the long way go work and stay on the M60 which adds a good ten minutes onto my journey and i've been doing this in 4th gear at 70 (almost 3000rpm) which I thought would be sufficient but obviously not.

My model is a "Euro 5" which is, apparently, a coated "lifetime" DPF without eoyls tank so I shouldn't be having any issues at all really??

The fault code is P20002 which I clear with a bluetooth reader but it always comes back!!

Hi guys.

Sorry for the delay in posting. Havn't been receiving any email updates for new posts..

Anyway, thanks for the responses so far.

I personally tend to drive at 30 in 3rd (around 2000rpm) and 70 in 5th (around 2000rpm)with the occasional blast just to feel that nice turbo kick in! :)

Once a month I will take the long way go work and stay on the M60 which adds a good ten minutes onto my journey and i've been doing this in 4th gear at 70 (almost 3000rpm) which I thought would be sufficient but obviously not.

My model is a "Euro 5" which is, apparently, a coated "lifetime" DPF with eoyls tank so I shouldn't be having any issues at all really??

The fault code is P20002 which I clear with a bluetooth reader but it always comes back!!

Edited October 9, 2013 by exponential

[DJ_Andy_M]

I've been told mine is a non-coated one but if you have a coated one, surely I should? When was your car made? Mine was April 2008. We're both MK2.5's i'm assuming.

Having a look about on Google. Sounds like a sensor problem

http://www.talkford.com/topic/195474-eml-code-p2002-diesel-particulate-filter-efficiency/

http://www.thedieselgarage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106733

http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums/f35/elusive-p2002-code-311269/

P2002 - Diesel Particulate Filter Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)
Description: The powertrain control module (PCM) monitors the efficiency of the diesel particulate filter for a concern. The efficiency of the filter is determined by the amount of restriction in the filter for a certain exhaust flow rate. The diesel particulate filter is preconditioned for 5,000 km (3,107 miles) before the PCM begins to monitor the level of restriction. The test fails when the measured level of restriction is less than the expected level calculated by the PCM. Possible Causes:

• Dirty air cleaner element
• Recent manual or thorough diesel particulate filter regeneration
• Aftermarket accessories and performance modifications
• Modified tailpipe
• Exhaust leaks before or near the diesel particulate filter pressure sensor
• Leaks in the diesel particulate filter pressure sensor connecting hose
• Damaged diesel particulate filter

Diagnostic Aids: Check for leaks in the exhaust system. Check for aftermarket exhaust accessories and performance modifications that decrease the exhaust restriction. If a new diesel particulate filter was recently installed, verify the diesel particulate filter parameter reset procedure was carried out.

[jg321]

Can't remember the exact dates, but the later mk 2.5 models had a coated DPF. The date was definitely in 2009, as I just missed it (mine's a December 2008 model).

Anyway - @exponential - I'd look at the other issues. Based on your driving, and my experience (along with someone else I know who has the 2006 model), I do not think you should even notice your DPF is there.

[exponential]

I've been told mine is a non-coated one but if you have a coated one, surely I should? When was your car made? Mine was April 2008. We're both MK2.5's i'm assuming. Having a look about on Google. Sounds like a sensor problem http://www.talkford.com/topic/195474-eml-code-p2002-diesel-particulate-filter-efficiency/ http://www.thedieselgarage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106733 http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums/f35/elusive-p2002-code-311269/ P2002 - Diesel Particulate Filter Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1) Description: The powertrain control module (PCM) monitors the efficiency of the diesel particulate filter for a concern. The efficiency of the filter is determined by the amount of restriction in the filter for a certain exhaust flow rate. The diesel particulate filter is preconditioned for 5,000 km (3,107 miles) before the PCM begins to monitor the level of restriction. The test fails when the measured level of restriction is less than the expected level calculated by the PCM. Possible Causes:

• Dirty air cleaner element
• Recent manual or thorough diesel particulate filter regeneration
• Aftermarket accessories and performance modifications
• Modified tailpipe
• Exhaust leaks before or near the diesel particulate filter pressure sensor
• Leaks in the diesel particulate filter pressure sensor connecting hose
• Damaged diesel particulate filter

Diagnostic Aids: Check for leaks in the exhaust system. Check for aftermarket exhaust accessories and performance modifications that decrease the exhaust restriction. If a new diesel particulate filter was recently installed, verify the diesel particulate filter parameter reset procedure was carried out.

Yeah, I found the same info. Probably just a sensor issue then....?

[exponential]

Can't remember the exact dates, but the later mk 2.5 models had a coated DPF. The date was definitely in 2009, as I just missed it (mine's a December 2008 model). Anyway - @exponential - I'd look at the other issues. Based on your driving, and my experience (along with someone else I know who has the 2006 model), I do not think you should even notice your DPF is there.

Apparently, mk2.5's made before the '59 plate (mine), have the old style DPF. Anything after is the "coated" DPF.

My plan is to get rid anyway after xmas is out of the way hence my concern about limp mode coming on before then.

It will be a DPF delete (keeping the casing intact for visual inspection), remap and EGR deleted as I will have blanked it off by then.

Hope it doesnt become mandatory for MOT's in the future though or i'll have to have it reinstalled! :(

[FOCA]

There is one good type of DPF - a "empty" or deleted one -

They are bound to clog up - they don't actually reduce particulate emmisions but collect them and dump them in one place, (often when you accelerate, in a built up area, potentially near a school/ hospital, or near concentrated populatinn centres instead of spreading the particulates around evenly)

Taking the enviromental cost of manufacturing the DPF (materials energy etc) the extra weight it adds to the car, the additional fuel it uses both with because of the regular reduction in MPG caused my having the DPF fitted, and the extra fuel wasted because of forced regen,s or having to take extra and/or longer trips, or having to run the engine harder/ for longer probably (read definately) has a more detrimental effect on the enviroment than if a DPF was not fitted at all

And thats not counting the effect of a clogged DPF (they almost always get clogged over time) on MPG, and the (enviromental, and financial cost to the consumer) of continual, repeat replacement DPFs, eloys fluid ect during the liftime of the car

Experts debate that a poor MPG has the worst enviromental impact because of the energy/ carbon footprint etc of digging up, refining, transporting fossil fuels - (petrol and diesel) a non- sustainable finite resource - so improving the cars consumption by just a couple of MPG and if all the cars in the country or world would have a significant positive effect on the enviroment

Eurocrats/ politicians don't look at the "big picture" or the overal negative effect of DPFs and other "quick fix" "knee-jerck reaction" emmision solutions such as EGR systems' effect on the enviroment

So when you DPF starts playing up or you need to replace or clean your DPF, the best thing you can do for (the long term reliability of) your car, your pocket, and yes, even the enviroment is to have it deleted (whatever type it is)

[jimrex]

Just going back to the OP, what is you average daily mileage and what sort of roads?

I have a daily 74 mile round commute of mainly dual carriageway and motorway driving, so never have the need to force a regen, but if your car is used on short runs most of the time then just a good run once a week at 70mph for 20 mins would surely do the job?

[exponential]

There is one good type of DPF - a "empty" or deleted one -

They are bound to clog up - they don't actually reduce particulate emmisions but collect them and dump them in one place, (often when you accelerate, in a built up area, potentially near a school/ hospital, or near concentrated populatinn centres instead of spreading the particulates around evenly)

Taking the enviromental cost of manufacturing the DPF (materials energy etc) the extra weight it adds to the car, the additional fuel it uses both with because of the regular reduction in MPG caused my having the DPF fitted, and the extra fuel wasted because of forced regen,s or having to take extra and/or longer trips, or having to run the engine harder/ for longer probably (read definately) has a more detrimental effect on the enviroment than if a DPF was not fitted at all

And thats not counting the effect of a clogged DPF (they almost always get clogged over time) on MPG, and the (enviromental, and financial cost to the consumer) of continual, repeat replacement DPFs, eloys fluid ect during the liftime of the car

Experts debate that a poor MPG has the worst enviromental impact because of the energy/ carbon footprint etc of digging up, refining, transporting fossil fuels - (petrol and diesel) a non- sustainable finite resource - so improving the cars consumption by just a couple of MPG and if all the cars in the country or world would have a significant positive effect on the enviroment

Eurocrats/ politicians don't look at the "big picture" or the overal negative effect of DPFs and other "quick fix" "knee-jerck reaction" emmision solutions such as EGR systems' effect on the enviroment

So when you DPF starts playing up or you need to replace or clean your DPF, the best thing you can do for (the long term reliability of) your car, your pocket, and yes, even the enviroment is to have it deleted (whatever type it is)

As usual, 100% agree with you!

They will probably phase it out within the next 10 years anyway and replace it with something even more ridiculous! :D

[exponential]

Just going back to the OP, what is you average daily mileage and what sort of roads?

I have a daily 74 mile round commute of mainly dual carriageway and motorway driving, so never have the need to force a regen, but if your car is used on short runs most of the time then just a good run once a week at 70mph for 20 mins would surely do the job?

Hi jimrex.

My daily commute to/from work is only 20 miles per day and that is 70% motorway but I regularly travel to Dublin by ferry and do various other long distances on occasion. Even if I didn't travel anywhere other than work, I would still opt for a diesel as I just love the way they drive and the grunt you get when you need it. :)

Thing is, regardless as to whether I am having it removed, because it is coated, I shouldn't have to worry about it at all as "jg" refered to earlier..