Engine: D5: Soot Filter driving me crazy...HELP !

[john493]

Whilst I doubt the glow plugs are active during a regeneration, it's entirely likely that any engine fault codes on a diesel may well inhibit DPF regeneration.
I would be checking the sensors on the DPF - there will be a back-pressure sensor and a temperature sensor, both are critical for initiating a regen.

[rangerovering]

Just to clarify, in my case the dpf has never been off the car nor cleaned.

Found the figures I took off the diag when I last had it plugged in, following a regen it says 17hPa pressure on the dpf.

Codes previously (in addition to the glow relay control ones)

ECM-2A30
ECM-2BAA

[rangerovering]

Now got a code for the lambda sensor which comes up once warm, changed the glowplug relay anyway with 2nd hand and the fault codes are now cyl 4&5 (3&5 previously).

Going to wash out the dpf anyway as it's no doubt needing done at 180k miles, the back pressure was jsut under 3psi yesterday and it never did a regen at all.

I do have some sensors off a breaker, with any luck one of them is the lambda (need to confirm).

[rangerovering]

Update,

Got the DPF off yesterday, didnt seem too blocked, bit black at the engine side. Filled with Wynns off car cleaner and had 3 hours soaking while clamped in the vice. Took it out and used a garden hose on the hot water tap to rinse it out in reverse, MASSES of red ash flying out the engine end.

Also, reassuringly not too much black soot which give me some hope there is life in this dpf still and that the engine is probably running ok....

Drip dried, used a light air line to shift some water out then refitted, started up and pressure is reading 6hPa which is promising, static revving it maxed out at 70hPa, allowing for there still being water and steam in the DPF this is a result.

Reset the DPF mileage counter with diag, all the fault codes cleared apart from the glow plug relay coming back on.

Exhaust and heatshields to refit tonight then get out for a drive all going well.

[foggyjames]

That makes me wonder if it's a sensor issue, and the DPF is not actually clogged at all.

Keep an eye on it, I suppose!

cheers

James

[rangerovering]

I think it had more ash in it than is desired for sure, got it back together and went for a run at lunchtime - what a difference! I've forgotten what being able to sink the accelerator pedal without fear felt like

The exhaust is a bit smoky and smells of the detergent but that will clear soon, hopefully the lambda code was a symptom not a cause, got a spare sensor if neds be.

[rangerovering]

400 mile update...

All going well, throttle response and "eagerness" of the engine to pull is notably improved, still able to bury the right hoof and wind it round the dial without warnings so all good on that front.

The MPG is a bit healither too, admittedly I've been doing longer runs but the instantaneous figure is up by 5-8mpg in places on the motorway I have got familiar with it's behaviour.

500miles away from 180k with this DPF, looks like it is staying put for a while yet...