Hi, I wonder if I can have some help with this problem.

My 89,000 mile Cmax has the engine warning light permanently displayed.

My local garage is stumped after connecting their software it shows the codes:

P242F-E1 DPF restriction accumulated soot.

P2459-21 DPF regeneration frequency status types - 21

The garage has tried both a static and forced (dynamic) regeneration with no joy.

The display now DPF static regeneration - A communication error between the PTU and the vehicle PCM has occurred.

Any ideas please?

My Cmax 10 year ownership has had DPF problems in the past with complete removal and deep clean at 74,000 miles by a specialist and has been fine until now.

I suspect the DPF is completely full and beyond cleaning or regeneration. However, before I go to the expense of replacing it would be good to know if this is correct before spending out on an unnecessary bill.

Any help forum members can provide would be most useful.

Many thanks.

 

Hi,

If the DPF was removed and professionally cleaned that should have restored it to as-new condition.

In order to fill up again just 15k there would have to be another fault with the EGR or injectors etc.  Fitting a new DPF is likely to result in another blockage soon if there is another fault filling it more quickly than it can clear.

I might be inclined to contact the place that did the professional clean before and ask what they think.

Hi Tom's focus, thank you for your input.

I've read through some other Cmax owners posts and thought one could be the cause.

My car recently suffered a breakdown near Scotch Corner. Giving symptoms of fuel starvation. Warning light came on, loss of power and engine stopped. After pulling over it would start immediately and continue with the warning light still on, but not on limp mode. This repeated several times until we pulled into the service station. 

The AA could not fix it, they found a couple of fault codes including DPF which could not be cleared and we made our way slowly back home near York with the engine light still on and occasional engine failure/stops. 

Our local non-Ford garage diagnosed a blocked fuel filter. Filter was changed and they also found a tube/pipe going to a pressure sensor was broken. They changed the pipe and done a DPF regeneration and all seemed ok.

Two hundred miles later the engine warning light came on again. The engine is not on limp mode and seems to perform ok. However, my garage found the fault codes P242F-E1 and P2459-21. They can't perform a regeneration with another message - "DPF static regeneration DPF soot. A communication error between the PTU and the vehicle PCM has occurred."

Could this broken sensor pipe have caused the DPF to be saturated beyond regeneration? Also I wonder if it's possible to do a second DPF deep clean instead of fitting a new one.

Both of these possible solutions are expensive and it's an old car although with only 89k miles I'm reluctant to just scrap it.

I thought I'd see if I can find out anything more on this site before contacting the specialist DPF cleaning firm near Pontefract.

I also thought is it worth the added expense of getting a Ford garage diagnostic done, but I've been told their Forscan software would just say the same as my non-Ford.

Any help or information you can provide would be appreciated.

Many thanks.

 

12 minutes ago, trebor17 said:

Could this broken sensor pipe have caused the DPF to be saturated beyond regeneration? Also I wonder if it's possible to do a second DPF deep clean instead of fitting a new one.

Yes and yes.

 

12 minutes ago, trebor17 said:

I also thought is it worth the added expense of getting a Ford garage diagnostic done, but I've been told their Forscan software would just say the same as my non-Ford.

There might be some misunderstanding here.  Ford dealers do not use Forscan.  That is a private DIY software.  It will show all of the Ford specific codes that the Ford systems do.  Those codes are hidden from generic OBD readers.

I will point you to Jimmy's channel as simply cleaning the DPF without finding the cause (DPF is usually the victim of something else which you may have found already and should confirm by monitoring DPF differential pressure, regen history etc with Forscan)
I also don't subscribe to forced regens unless absolutely necessary (again, see what you think after viewing some of these videos?)
https://www.youtube.com/@ORileysAutos/videos

 

Edit: Does it have a vaporiser?

Hi, thanks for 

10 hours ago, Shearers said:

I will point you to Jimmy's channel as simply cleaning the DPF without finding the cause (DPF is usually the victim of something else which you may have found already and should confirm by monitoring DPF differential pressure, regen history etc with Forscan)
I also don't subscribe to forced regens unless absolutely necessary (again, see what you think after viewing some of these videos?)
https://www.youtube.com/@ORileysAutos/videos

 

Edit: Does it have a vaporiser?

 

Hi, thanks to both Tom's focus and Shearers for their input.

I am mistaken in believing that Forscan was Ford garage software - a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

My Cmax does not have a vaporiser as that was one of the things I thought may have caused the problem.

I have viewed some utube videos from O'Riley's DPF cures which has been very informative. It's a pity he is not local to York as he looks would be my first choice. However, I think I'll contact the DPD specialist from Pontefract who done the deep clean about 2 years and 16000 miles ago. Perhaps provided with the fault codes and symptoms they will be able to help me.

Always happy to hear from Forum members if they want to add further information which may help solve the problem.

Many thanks.

All you need to get set up with FORScan:

On 4/7/2024 at 8:59 PM, unofix said:

FORScan (for use with Windows Laptop) : https://forscan.org/download.html

It's what many Ford owners use including some Ford technicians.

• vLinker FS, cable for laptop: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vgate-vLinker-Adapter-FORScan-MS-CAN/dp/B0952P4MLP

OR

• OBDLINK EX, cable for laptop: https://www.amazon.co.uk/OBDLINK-EX-FORScan-OBD-Adapter/dp/B081VQVD3F/ref=sr_1_5

For diagnostic use only:

• vLinker FD, for android phone: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vgate-Bluetooth-vLinker-Scanner-Diagnostic/dp/B08H82WC8L
• vLinker FD+, for iPhone: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vgate-Bluetooth-vLinker-Scanner-Diagnostic/dp/B08H8JHWP2

 

Hi Unofix, thanks for your input.

Unfortunately I don't have a Windows laptop and also lack the necessary knowledge to operate the software, so I'll have to put myself at the mercy of experts in this field.

I'll wait until after the weekend to see if I can gather any further information that may help.

However, it appears to be that top reason of a broken sensor pipe may have caused the DPF to become saturated beyond regeneration. Plus the fault code P242F shuts down the vehicle regeneration so unable to do a forced regeneration.

I've reached the end of my local garage expertise in dealing with the DPF and I'll contact the only known specialist near me at Pontefract after the weekend.

In the meantime I'll keep listening to Forum members advice and experience that could add to the solution of my DPF problem.

Many thanks.

My only suggestion is don't let them just clean it (likely off the car but perhaps with foam cleaner which should be a lot cheaper) without ensuring that whatever fault has caused it to block is definitely fixed.
DPF differential pressure sensor should be 0 with engine off, 2-10 mBar at idle (lower the better) at 3000 rev/min, 40 - 80 mBar.
If you use the (Jimmy again of course) finger test: wipe finger should not be a thick layer of soot or DPF is cracked.

Some other ideas to check, maybe:

What causes DPF to become blocked (Jimmy again!)?:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkREDv0k1GM&list=WL&index=1

1. Glow plugs
2. Low coolant temperature (90 degrees required?)
3. Exhaust gas temperature sensors (200 degrees+ for start of successful regen? 400-600 degrees during the process.)
4. Blocked or otherwise inoperative vaporiser (including fuses) or pump.
5. Differential pressure sensor malfunction (or pipework splits, blockages etc)
6. External temperature sensor.
7. Low fuel level (if light is on, ECU will prevent regen)
8. EGR valve malfunction
9. Throttle body malfunction.
10. Engine oil dirty (diluted on some models) or overfilled.
11. Turbo hose split.
12. Short trips (but 60-80 short, half mile trips required, ameliorated by perhaps 1, 25 mile trip?)

3 hours ago, trebor17 said:

I don't have a Windows laptop

You can also use either of the mobile phone versions (android or iPhone) which are exactly the same as the widows version with the exception that the phone versions can not make programming changes.

Thank you both for your kind suggestions and advice.

Looking at Shearers list I think most things have been eliminated. Probably the favourite cause would be the differential pressure sensor hoses as one was found to be split. It has since been seen to, but it may have caused the DPF to become saturated beyond regeneration.

My driving style may need to be addressed as I usually sit at a relaxed 2000 revs at 60 to 65 mph, but try to avoid trips shorter than 10 miles. So maybe I'll speed up a bit occasionally.

I'll contact the DPF specialist and give all the information and symptoms so that they can advise on the best course of action.

Many thanks for all members advice and input. I'll give an update on progress and eventual outcome when completed. Cheers.

 

Thee's also Archoil to consider once the problem is sorted.
I don't see any real improvement in economy but honestly believe it runs more smoothly (still like new) and has cetane improver, detergent (for injectors, EGR, DPF, turbo etc) and fuel pump lubricant.
Worth considering IMHO:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01IDDF4JM

Premium fuel at half the normal differential?

Hi Shearers, thanks for that.

I've now booked an appointment with Yorkshire DPF who is coming to my house on Monday 14:00hrs. For acid treatment and regeneration with all codes clearing.

I'm a little confused after speaking to Yorkshire DPF when discussing the cause and solution. They were definite that the DPF can be cleaned by this method since the car has only covered 16000 miles since the deep clean. 

However, they state that my driving has caused the issue. I don't use the car for trips less than 10 miles each way. Motorway driving is at around 60 to 65mph equating to around 2000rpm and a journey of 25 miles each way every fortnight.

This I am told is not far or fast enough! I should aim to drive for 40 minutes at 70mph at least once every month since my style of driving is not allowing regeneration to take place.

I'm now completely confused about this as it's contrary to what I've been told by various sources in the past.

Would any forum members care to give reliable information about the necessary conditions for successful DPF regeneration.

Many thanks in advance.