DPF regeneration - can I force it ?

[taposh]

Evening all. Been a while since I posted. Lurking mainly these days.

My car is a '61 plate C220 diesel - W204.

Been having problems on and off with the DPF getting clogged. Here for some advise and clarifications please.

Whilst under warranty the car went into Merc twice for the DPF getting blocked and needing technician to force a regen. Part of the problem I know if down to driving style. When we bought the car my wife (main driver) was doing a 40 min commute mix of A and B roads. Shortly after changed jobs to a 8 min commute. We do try hard to do a burn every couple of weeks.

Anyway, last time car went in was into a local garage about 5 weeks ago. This time - with busy Xmas and New Year etc we hadn't been doing the burn runs. So at the local garage they stuck in a can of diesel cleaner and did the biz and reset the codes.

Middle of last week however the EML came on. Plugged in my OBD and the code same up as DPF regeneration frequency - I interpreted as regen cycle hadn't kicked in for a while.

So this weekend I stuck in a bottle of Wynns DPF cleaner and did a massive burn round the M25. I mean massive - 70mph ave for 40-60 mins. RPMs hovering around 2k and above.

Thought that would do the trick, but reading the codes this morning, not only is the regen frequency code there, but now reporting soot accumulation !

I was shocked to say the least. Going to keep the car off the road for a week and do another run next week with another bottle of DPF cleaner. My questions are the following:

1. Is there anyway I can guarantee the DPF regen has kicked in ? Is it worth me sitting in the drive with the car in neutral but with my foot on accelerator for 15 mins with revs at 2.5k ?

2. Once the regen has kicked in - provided it has cleaned - should the diagnostic codes clear themselves ? I was surprised the regen frequency code didnt disappear. I would have thought that would have at least gone give the run I went on. What i don't want to do is try a burn and then reset the codes using OBD app only for it to not have done it in the first place.

3. Is Wynns a good additive to use ? Any better ones like Millers ?

Fed up is an understatement at the moment. I hold myself completely responsible for this state, but I am shocked at how 'fragile' the DPF appears to be.

Any advice appreciated. Cheers guys.

 

[tode]

Are you sure that the correct oil has always been used in the car ?

Does the car get up to correct (87ish) temperature ?

And have you had any other problems with the engine ?

 

[taposh]

Thanks for replying.
Car has only ever been serviced by merc so have to assume they have used correct oil.
Temp on last run was around 89-92 C, and had no other problems with the car at all.
In terms of runs after the last clear out at th local garage the car did a run to Belgium and back over Easter hols.

Just wondering now if the dpf is on a downward spiral.

 

[jhosk1981]

On my missus Astra, had a similar issue... Could not force a regen with the error light on..

 

[C350Carl]

Never used it. But this may help as it's supposed to lower the temp at which a Regen is made.

http://www.millersoils.co.uk/news/2014/270514 - New Automotive Product.asp

 

[tode]

Taposh,

I asked about the oil because (as you probably know), if high-ash oil is used the DPF can become clogged with ash, in which case the regeneration will have no effect.

Have you taken it to Mercedes for a diagnosis ? - the fault could be a sensor playing up.

 

[taposh]

Have you taken it to Mercedes for a diagnosis ? - the fault could be a sensor playing up.

The second time the car went to merc for this they did check and also put in a software 'tweak. Also when the local garage did the last clearance it did genuinely need it. Not to say it might be the sensor now.

I also wonder if jhosk theory may have some merit. At the week the car didn't appear to regen. I may try clearing the codes before next run.

 

[tode]

If I were you, I'd pop round to Mercedes and explain what's happening without clearing the codes. That way they should be able to see what's been going on.

I would also be very wary about using any additives (imho) as the therd reason for DPF 'failure' is pollution of the catalyst.

 

[ALFIEBEARD]

What the car looks for to complete a Regen is 1st engine up to temp 2nd a constant speed (my car always regenerates when doing an average of 50mph for around 30mls), you can tell its done it as there is a grey ash on the tailpipes and a smell of hot rubber is evident, the tailpipes will also be really hot.

My Indie was telling me that if you take it for a run try to keep a constant speed and not above 70 mph for around 20/30mins and the car should start to initiate a regen, if you accelerate hard during this time it may abort the regen.

If you drive relatively quickly ie above 70mph on the motorway then the car will enter a passive regen which isn't quite as effective when the DPF is full.

Hope this helps

Alfie

 

[taposh]

Thanks Alfie. That was useful. May try that this weekend.

Does anyone know if the same could be achieved sitting in the driveway in neutral with revs at 2.5k for 15 mins ? I assume it's similar to what the garage does but also assuming they'd use star or somerging similar to force the regen.

 

[C350Carl]

You might irk your neighbours slightly if you do.

Not sure if it would work either but I see the thought process.

 

[taposh]

You might irk your neighbours slightly if you do.

Not sure if it would work either but I see the thought process.

I'll probably do it during the day when most people should be at work. i think I'll risk their wrath for the potential 140 notes it will cost me getting local dealer to do it ;-)

 

[jhosk1981]

Let us know if it works

 

[ALFIEBEARD]

Thanks Alfie. That was useful. May try that this weekend.

Does anyone know if the same could be achieved sitting in the driveway in neutral with revs at 2.5k for 15 mins ? I assume it's similar to what the garage does but also assuming they'd use star or somerging similar to force the regen.

No don't think the car will initiate a Regen whilst stationary....but if a regen was in progress then stopping the car and leaving the engine running should allow it to complete, the only problem with doing this would the Ash would only exit the exhaust the next time it is revved.

I make a habit of not shutting the car down until ive opened the door and listened to see if the exhaust is tinging due to heat...if it is I leave it running for an extra few mins.

Alfie

 

[taposh]

Well I tried the driveway regen..............

Added a bottle of forte DPF cleaner first. Sat in car with the revs around 2100-2400. Took about 10 mins for the engine temp to get to around 80C. Left the revs running for about 10-15mins. Oddly after 15 mins the revs dropped to 2k and stayed there regardless of how much I pushed down the accelerator. During this time I never let the revs drop below 2k.

Not sure what this 2k limiter is. Must be some sort of safety. Regardless left it at 2k for another 10 mins.

So crux of it all is that I still dont know if it regenerated. Earlier the car did feel sluggish before my try out, and seems ok now. The EML DTC codes haven't cleared out. I wouldn't be surprised if Merc have it built in that only a STAR or something can reset the codes. I would have thought with all I'd done at least the regen frequency code would do i.e. it had attempted to try to regen.

So still going to try and go for a proper burn this weekend. If thats no joy will take it to local garage and see what they say. WIth my burn last weekend and today I'm not wondering if theres a problem with the regen kicking off in the first place.

 

[V6Matty]

if i were you take the car for a run and then go sit behind an HGV on the motorway for 20 minutes that should clear it all out. if that doesn't fix it then i suspect the dpf is so full that the car is in a safe mode and will not allow it to regen to avoid it blocking totally and knackering the car, if it is too full the only way to sort it is to remove he dpf and bang all the crap out manually, think you need to see a specialist and have the codes read and interrogated to see what the issue actually is.

 

[taposh]

if it is too full the only way to sort it is to remove he dpf and bang all the crap out manually, think you need to see a specialist and have the codes read and interrogated to see what the issue actually is.

Thanks for that Matty. Think it is my only option now. Before going my local garage does anyone know of any guides (online or books) which would show a good way to take the dpf out ? Aiming to try manually cleaning or sending to a specialist cleaner.

 

[lordksmith]

Thanks for that Matty. Think it is my only option now. Before going my local garage does anyone know of any guides (online or books) which would show a good way to take the dpf out ? Aiming to try manually cleaning or sending to a specialist cleaner.

Not sure if it's an option but Euro Car Parts have a, React Diesel Particulate Filter
List Price £728.40
Was £206.40
Now £166.80 Save 19%
(Online and Click & Collect price only)
Actual cost £226.80*
What is this?

(*This part incurs a £60.00 surcharge)

 

[taposh]

Not sure if it's an option but Euro Car Parts have a, React Diesel Particulate Filter
List Price £728.40
Was £206.40
Now £166.80 Save 19%
(Online and Click & Collect price only)
Actual cost £226.80*
What is this?

(*This part incurs a £60.00 surcharge)

Thanks for that. Something to look into. Do you mind pinging me a link ? Nothing coming up at the moment on euro car parts so just want to make sure I'm looking at/for the same thing.

 

[lordksmith]

the link

http://www.eurocarparts.com/other-filters1