Dpf On 1.6 Tdci

[Ascen]

I've purchased an '06 Ford Focus 1.6 TCDI Sport on the very cheap end. The reason it was so cheap is that the engine management light is on, currently in limp mode so 3k revs is its max and was told that the garage he took it to has said the DPF would be the cause but gave no fault codes.

I have tried checking to see if there was any fault codes using the self-diagnostic 'trick' but there apparently is none.

When I bought the car I factored in the cost of a DPF and was still a good deal, but is there anything I can check to confirm? or other possible causes?

[south_bound]

Mine definnately had a load of codes come up when the dpf needed doing, although the garage got these using their plug-in OBD2 computer rather than through the dash board "trick". That said I had already worked out that it was dpf related just from its behaviour and reading these forums - low mpgs, colling fan constantly on, loss of power etc. Not sure about limp mode, more that it was loosing power and cutting out at high revs but driving reasonably ok at criuising speed.

There is loads of discussion on this topic if you search through. Good luck

[simcor]

You need to get it on IDS diagnostics to see what error codes are present, also to check live data to try and narrow the problem down. That would be the best way to start. Any codes really need clearing after reading and making note of them because they could still be stored from previous issues and have not been cleared. Then after driving it for a while checking it again if or when the engine check light comes on again. It may even just need a forced regeneration at this moment in time. I have diagnostics IDS and Elmconfig and Forscan depending on if you could get the car to me but no idea where u are in relation to me. Either way you really need to get it checked with at least Forscan or IDS.

[TomsFocus]

Mine didn't bring up any generic fault codes, only found out using FORScan.

Its possible the turbo is broken in your case.

[Ascen]

I finally managed to get a hold of a scanner, eBay seller failed to post it, so got a full refund and he delivered anyway.

5 codes
P242F - Diesel Particulate Filter Restriction Ash Accumulation

P0500 - Vehicle Speed Sensor A

P1934 - Manufacturer Control

U0073 - Control Module Communication Bus Off

P242F - Diesel Particulate Filter Restriction Ash Accumulation (again)

I cleared the codes and now only the one P242F shows. I haven't driven it yet but the engine management light isn't lit up anymore so it may be out of limp mode, although can't be certain yet. I plan to take it for a drive out later tonight when the road is clearer to see if I can get it to regen if possible.

[TomsFocus]

If it's full of ash it needs changing, a regen only burns soot, not ash.

[MONDEO TXS 2.2]

Give the car a good thrashing a.k.a. Italian tune up :)

[Dee_82]

Give the car a good thrashing a.k.a. Italian tune up :)

Passive regen will only work if it doesn't go in to limp mode an even then it wont touch the ash accumulation, it'll just help burn any soot. You could try an active regen but the same applies, if tis full of ash, your out of luck

[Ascen]

Sadly limp mode is still there. After a drive I checked the scanner again and the secondary P242F code was back with the engine management light.

I am hoping its full of something other than ash, just it doesn't know the difference.

How do you get it to do an active regen, rather than passive?

[Dee_82]

pretty sure forscan has a service tool that will carry out an active regen,

[simcor]

Forscan will do a forced regeneration but if the ash content is high as said you need the DPF replacing. That is how they are designed and have a lifetime of x amount.

What are you using to read the error codes? If you have Forscan and and ELM device then checking the DPF pressure would help to make sure it is full of ash.

[Dave_TDCI]

Unfortunately I'd be doubtful that anything else has built up apart from ash.

What type of mileage is on the car?...Typically the DPF needs to be replaced roughly every 75,000miles so if you have more mileage than that chances are it needs replacing.

Best thing to try do is using the Forscan do a forced generation (although as aleady stated if it's a build up of ash and not soot it won't be of much benefit) but still worth trying. After that take the car out the motorway for about 15 or 20minutes with the car up around 3000rpm or higher, turn on the rear de-mister for the journey and turn up the climate control, the intention of this is to get the car and in particular the exhaust as hot as possible to burn off soot...hopefully this may clear some of the back up for awhile but ultimately your looking at a new DPF or a removal

[InKontrol]

Always amazes me why these DPF's aren't serviceable... I mean how hard is it to fit a removable compartment to it, sort of like an ash catcher, which when full you can pull out and empty then pop back in and bob's your uncle.

OK fair enough if the internal core has failed, but jesus at least make them like a vacuum cleaner where you can empty it when it gets full.

[Ascen]

Sadly I haven't got a Forscan, I don't have a laptop to use so needed an independant device. I got a Maxiscan MS309.

With it looking like I'd need a new dpf, and I know a garage that will fit parts for me rather than them buying, if I search on eBay for something like 'Ford Focus 1.6 TCDI DPF' would I find exactly what I am looking for - or are there many different versions and I'd need to find a specific part number for my car?

[TomsFocus]

There are 2 types of DPF for the 1.6 Focus. The later ones don't use an additive. You need the one that uses an additive.