blocked DPF woes...

[V50andy]

Hi all,

As the title suggests, this is getting me down... My DPF is too blocked to regen (fault code confirmed). I have been having white smoke for a 10 miles or so every 300 miles or so for a long while. I thought that may have been an injector although I spoke with a diesel specialist who says that he has had similar issues that tuned out to NOT be an injector. Even if it was an injector it'll be really hard to diagnose as it's so intermittent.

I added some redex for the MOT (it passed) and the overall performance was better with next to no smoke in about 1500 miles, then as soon as the redex was used up and went back to diesel alone, the smoke returned as bad as it was fairly quickly, 1 hundred miles or so. No way it was a fluke that it stopped, there was also much more power again and less frequent service light coming on (although it comes on pretty much as I start driving every time normally).

The diesel specialist thinks maybe it's more likely to be the DPF trying to regen and to turn the ignition on and off while driving when smoking and come back to him, when normally if smoking I can leave it overnight and once up to temp it'll carry on smoking till youve done those 10 miles or so...

I'll try it but seems pointless.

I feel like this'll never be fixed at this rate, anyone have any suggestions? The DPF was replaced not too long ago so previous owner probably had the same issues, I also had the EGR cleaned, nothing.

help is really appreciated guys, thanks

[Welton]

Why not have the innards smashed-out and have a DPF delete remap? I'm a member of the 406 owners club and the lads running the 2.2HDi with the DPF always remove the innards and have the eolys fluid system turned off with no ill effects.

I don't know if the ECU programming is particularly difficult on the Volvo software but there must be someone out there. As long as the canister is still fitted to the exhaust it won't be a problem, neither will you fail the smoke test at the MOT.

[roundyuk]

So firstly, do you documented proof of the DPF replacement? How long ago? It would seem unlikely if its been replaced that it has blocked so quickly.

Do you have VIDA to get the pressure reading at idle from the DPF? It could well be a duff sensor giving you the blocked code.

I would also not expect smoke with a blocked DPF, and defo not white smoke - this is unburnt diesel. Faulty injector, timing or compression fault.

[Clan]

you need this diagnosing properly by someone who knows the system, with experience like a volvo dealer . It could be something as simple as a burned through particle filter pressure sensor hose for example . how many miles has it done , the DPF should have been changed at 75000 miles .

[V50andy]

Ive had a look and there is an exhaust leak at thye DPF, part of the gasket is missing and loads of exhaust gas shooting out, what effect would that have?

The cars done 143K btw

thanks guys

[Clan]

Ive had a look and there is an exhaust leak at thye DPF, part of the gasket is missing and loads of exhaust gas shooting out, what effect would that have?

The cars done 143K btw

thanks guys

If the leak is the rear end of the DPF no problem , but if it is leaking before going into the DPF it MAY affect things depending on how big the leak .

At that mileage you are due for your second DPF now , and a cambelt!

[V50andy]

it's before the DPF seems like quite a good leak... Can we not just clean them out instead of replacing them? I've seen some threads on caustic soda and even coca-cola being used successfully?

[Clan]

it's before the DPF seems like quite a good leak... Can we not just clean them out instead of replacing them? I've seen some threads on caustic soda and even coca-cola being used successfully?

No they cant be cleaned out , also the active elements ( chemicals) loose their properties over time . If you look up the construction of a DPF you will see why they cant be cleaned .

[V50andy]

If I replace it myself, does anything need doing to the computer? and, when I disconnect everything will I lose any EOLYS fluid?

[V50andy]

also, am I right in thinking that the white unburnt diesel smoke shouldnt have an effect on the DPF blocking? that only black soot/smoke should clog it up?

[Clan]

If I replace it myself, does anything need doing to the computer? and, when I disconnect everything will I lose any EOLYS fluid?

You need to get a proper diagnoisis done to see what codes are stored in there , before fitting a new DPF .

EOLYS is indepent of the DPF , when was it last topped up ?

[Clan]

also, am I right in thinking that the white unburnt diesel smoke shouldnt have an effect on the DPF blocking? that only black soot/smoke should clog it up?

black smoke is soot particles which are trapped so well that even after 75000 miles the Inside of the tail pipe should be as shining as it was when new . Not sure about white smoke , it depends on the size of the particles , probably a lot smaller than the soot ones .

[V50andy]

I had the codes read not too long ago, they were turbo pressure low and DPF bolcked (too much to manual regen). I had some testing done on the turbo, smoke test etc. and that was fine apparantly. Would there have been a code for low EOLYS?

I was really banking on the injector being the culprit, especially as the smoke smells of diesel and there is a pop/bang/backfire everytime I start the car and leave on a journey which I read could be an injector. and that the whole time I had redex in the system it was way better?

I thought maybe the DPF was just separate, unrelated to the white smoke?

[futurized]

i have the same issue with my 2005 v50 1.6d . :nah:
Every 300 miles a lot of smoke for 10-15 miles. if my driving is under 2.500rpm the cycle of 200 miles became 100 miles and if my driving is over 4.000rpm for some miles the cycle is became to 300 miles.
the car is 2nd hand and i have it for 3 months. two times in volvo for this issue connecting to vida they don't find something. plz help if you resolve your (our) problem. :car: