Hey guys,

My car is a 2014 (Oct) Zetec 1.6 Diesel with 64k on the clock.

The dreaded engine malfunction light came on yesterday so I took it to my local garage to see what the problem was. Turns out my DPF is clogged up and even doing a regen didn't help it so they have now quoted me over a grand to fit a new one.

I decided to shop around and found somebody that could fit a new one for £680 but I also tried a local diesel specialist who would take it off and clean it for £330. I asked him what the success rate was after cleaning and he said he's never had one fail yet.

This is where I'm in a bit of a predicament because if I opt to get it cleaned and it doesn't work then i'll be shelling out what the original garage quoted me of a grand.

Does cleaning usually work or should I just bite the bullet and buy a new one for 680?

Cheers for any help on this one guys, thx.

1 hour ago, Hopesy73 said:

Hey guys,

My car is a 2014 (Oct) Zetec 1.6 Diesel with 64k on the clock.

The dreaded engine malfunction light came on yesterday so I took it to my local garage to see what the problem was. Turns out my DPF is clogged up and even doing a regen didn't help it so they have now quoted me over a grand to fit a new one.

I decided to shop around and found somebody that could fit a new one for £680 but I also tried a local diesel specialist who would take it off and clean it for £330. I asked him what the success rate was after cleaning and he said he's never had one fail yet.

This is where I'm in a bit of a predicament because if I opt to get it cleaned and it doesn't work then i'll be shelling out what the original garage quoted me of a grand.

Does cleaning usually work or should I just bite the bullet and buy a new one for 680?

Cheers for any help on this one guys, thx.

The most common professional process for cleaning DPFs is the "Ceramex" process, I've not really looked into exactly what it involves but there does seem to be a lot of positive testimonials online relating to this type of procedure.  This type of process is often advocated on the "Honest John" web site as an alternative to replacing DPF that has reached the end of it's service life due to ash accumulation.

 

Others have used a high pressure water jet but I wouldn't advise that on a modern cDPF because they innards are coated in precious metals and this coating is key to making the PDF work as it should.  A really high pressure water jet might strip the coating and then you really would need a new DPF.

Did you buy it with high mileage and only do short journeys since?

A 2014 with 60k works out about 10k a year...there's no way the cDPF should be full of ash already.  I'd want a second opinion and if it genuinely is blocked I'd want a diagnosis as to what caused it.

1 hour ago, 1979Damian said:

The most common professional process for cleaning DPFs is the "Ceramex" process, I've not really looked into exactly what it involves but there does seem to be a lot of positive testimonials online relating to this type of procedure.  This type of process is often advocated on the "Honest John" web site as an alternative to replacing DPF that has reached the end of it's service life due to ash accumulation.

 

Others have used a high pressure water jet but I wouldn't advise that on a modern cDPF because they innards are coated in precious metals and this coating is key to making the PDF work as it should.  A really high pressure water jet might strip the coating and then you really would need a new DPF.

 

Cheers for the replies.

@TomsFocus

Bought the car with 56k on the clock and I've done over 10k in the last two years. Car is only used for work and they are 10min journeys. 

1 minute ago, Hopesy73 said:

Cheers for the replies.

@TomsFocus

Bought the car with 56k on the clock and I've done over 10k in the last two years. Car is only used for work and they are 10min journeys. 

Ah ok, and it doesn't get used for longer journeys at weekends or anything?  You'll probably be in exactly the same position in a year or so if that's the case.  A diesel with a DPF isn't suitable for those journeys alone I'm afraid.

@TomsFocus

Point taken, looks like I'm going to have to give it a few good runs a week.

So, should I just opt to have it cleaned?

2 hours ago, Hopesy73 said:

@TomsFocus

Point taken, looks like I'm going to have to give it a few good runs a week.

So, should I just opt to have it cleaned?

Because the issue is almost certainly going to reoccur due to your car usage pattern, personally I'd get it cleaned to get it running properly and get rid.  Either this or expect to have to pay £300+ every 12/24 months to have it cleaned professionally.

Cheers Damian.

Yep, I agree with Damian completely.