C220CDI Diesel Particulate Filter

[Ron Anderson]

I'm becoming increasingly frustrated by an ongoing problem with the DPF. This has been going on for the best part of a year and has necessitated 2 visits to a MB independent specialist and 3 to local MB dealer so far. The EML comes on sometimes and then the car goes into limp mode. At other times the car goes into limp mode without the EML coming on. So far the dealer has replaced the DPF sensor and then the DPF temperature sensor but the problem persists. I'm told that the DPF should never need replaced but is this true? Or is the DPF needing removed and cleaned? The dealer has done a forced regen twice. On one occasion they showed me the diagnostic readout showing zero and the car went into limp mode within 1/2 mile! Took it straight back and they said the reading was over 180! Seems impossible in 1/2 mile, so is the diagnostic reading correct at zero or is something else going on? The car has done 112k miles and has been remapped for performance but this was done after the problem started in the hope that it might help.
Sorry for the length of this post but would appreciate any advice anyone can give!

 

[_Taz_]

I have a feeling that DPFs don't like stop starts pal.

I have one for the record on my W211 ( was horrified when I got home to find it out ! ).

I have noticed one key thing, and it goes against the grain with regards to MPG, you simply have to take it out for a decent 30 min run & I usually give it a good bit of right foot, this prompts a good regen.

I have recently added a tank cleaner BG44,m and so far it's made a big differerence to the car ( alas, it does have a fault with the inlet motor ).

You don't mention cleaning of the DPF ? Why wouldn't Merc attempt this ? Logical 1st step once it's been on STAR ?

Let us know how you get on

 

[SheriffJW]

The car needs a good thrashing. And i mean redlining.

Out of interest, how many miles a day does the car do to work and back?

 

[Lorna Anderson]

I have a feeling that DPFs don't like stop starts pal.

I have one for the record on my W211 ( was horrified when I got home to find it out ! ).

I have noticed one key thing, and it goes against the grain with regards to MPG, you simply have to take it out for a decent 30 min run & I usually give it a good bit of right foot, this prompts a good regen.

I have recently added a tank cleaner BG44,m and so far it's made a big differerence to the car ( alas, it does have a fault with the inlet motor ).

You don't mention cleaning of the DPF ? Why wouldn't Merc attempt this ? Logical 1st step once it's been on STAR ?

Let us know how you get on

Hi Taz.
Thanks for your reply. I'm using my wife's details as I've had problems with my account.
The car has had at least 3 forced regens to get rid of the soot and on each occasion the Star readout shows zero soot afterwards. The problem still comes back in a few hundred miles. As a matter of interest, I drove to the dealer this morning - it had come out of limp mode overnight! - at a great rate of knots with some redlining but this usually has little effect as I've tried it before. The dealer is now suggesting that 'the DPF may have been damaged by non-low ash oil used in the past, which is probably code for them wanting to replace the DPF, at great expense to me!
I'll let you know what they say in the next couple of days.
Regards,
Ron

 

[Lorna Anderson]

The car needs a good thrashing. And i mean redlining.

Out of interest, how many miles a day does the car do to work and back?

Hi
Thanks for ypur reply. I'm using my wife's account as mine has got problems! The car does not do many miles but is used some short journeys and some motorway miles. It goes like the proverbial off a shovel since the remap (has roughly 180 bhp now) and I often drive it 'spiritedly' on the motorway. It pulls hard all the way up the rev range, so it has plenty of opportunity to burn off the soot!
I'll keep you posted about what happens next as the car is back with the dealer for 3 days!
Ron

 

[Xtractorfan]

There was a recall on the first of these cars throughout the MB range for a faulty DPF sensor...

 

[DB autos]

Ha one very simlar even took it off and tried cleaning still ended up having to have new one. Car did lack power intermittent was ok when first regen then quickly blocked up again new one did fix in end. Dan