Hi. First post, and I warn you - am renowned for a waffle
So, I have a 58 plate 1.6 multi-jet diesel (67k miles), and it started to regularly go into limp mode, sometimes at speed (which can be scary!)
I took it to my local garage and they started to talk about injector issue and large sums of money, so upon recommendation took it to another garage and they suggested I take the car to a diesel specialist, which I did.
After a few days of investigations, they took the injectors out and found that at least one of them was being very generous with the amount if fuel it was allowing through and the sump was more diesel than oil! So after not a small sum of money being paid out, I had four new injectors fitted, new oil and filter and an exhaust re-gen done.
Picked up the car on Friday evening and drove it home - seemed to be back to itself so was feeling much more positive - had been driving it at 2,000 RPM or less as this seemed to stop the car going into limp mode, so was great to be able to put my foot down again. Saturday morning, was planning on a drive down to South-End (as was suggested by the garage I give it a good run) and so set off on the M25...three miles in and the same issue - car drops into limp mode, so pull-over, and re-start the engine and it's off again - again, kept the RPM down as low as I could and made it there (over an hour's drive at an average of 50-60MPH) and later the same day, home again - only repeated the issue when I had to pull away on a very steep hill and couldn't avoid giving it lots of revs to get me moving.
I spoke to the garage this morning and they feel it needs another re-gen (forced?) as the amount of soot cause by the dumping of excess fuel into the exhaust/sump is most likely the cause - would the drive on Saturday not have caused a re-gen? I just want to be sure there is nothing I could do my end before driving it back to the specialist (who isn't local so not easy to get home from).
Thanks
Martin

Does the engine light come on

there could be other problems as little as sensors left disconnected b the mechanics.

markymark123 said:

Does the engine light come on

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Yes, each time 'check engine' displays, the engine light also comes on and stays on until the fourth re-start.

maybe unrelated did you get an oil change?

Have the error codes read. it could be something completely unrelated that is causing an over-fueling issue.

aurick86 said:

maybe unrelated did you get an oil change?

Have the error codes read. it could be something completely unrelated that is causing an over-fueling issue.

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I did - the existing oil was more diesel than oil apparently. I'm due to take it back so will see what they say.

Martin are you anywhere near the East of England? I have ECU scan software and doing a forced regen is easy and takes 20 minutes. My ECU scan software cost about £100 and has already paid for its self with two uses. It came from gendan.co.uk you might be able to get something for less. My car goes about 420 miles between regens and also started messing me like this for no apparent reason it was giving error messages about operating brake and accelerator togther which was rubbish. If you are elsewhere ask if there is anyone nearby who can assist with this. The regeneration ran the car at 3000 revs so most of the time it does not appear to run fast enough to achieve a proper blast through!

petercresswell said:

Martin are you anywhere near the East of England? I have ECU scan software and doing a forced regen is easy and takes 20 minutes. My ECU scan software cost about £100 and has already paid for its self with two uses. It came from gendan.co.uk you might be able to get something for less. My car goes about 420 miles between regens and also started messing me like this for no apparent reason it was giving error messages about operating brake and accelerator together which was rubbish. If you are elsewhere ask if there is anyone nearby who can assist with this. The regeneration ran the car at 3000 revs so most of the time it does not appear to run fast enough to achieve a proper blast through!

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Hi Peter. Sadly not, am in Surrey, so South-East. I'd be keen to do that if I planned to keep the car, but with the issues I've had, I may look to p/x it for something else, dependent on whether it can be easily resolved with a regen.
I had a few days last week where it seemed to have sorted itself out and was running really well, but stared playing up again over the weekend, so am not back to trying to keep the RPM <= 2k to stop the issue occurring.
If I can get the regen done, does anyone know if it's possible/easy to remove and empty the DPF of any soot/dirt at the same time? Or is it a major task?
Thanks again for the advice
Martin

Sounds to me like the EGR is clogged. Have you changed it ?

I don't know if it was changed, I'm set to take it back to the garage so will ask the question. Thanks.

MartinLS said:

I don't know if it was changed, I'm set to take it back to the garage so will ask the question. Thanks.

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Visit another garage to have the EGR Replaced if that fixes the issue most likely the previous garage just looked for a expensive job to do... Injectors on a fiat bravo should be fine at 60,000 miles.

I'm confident that the injectors were faulty as had two other garages suggest the same. But it would be easier to take it somewhere local - will call my local garage and get a price. Would it be worth doing another regen whilst they are there?
Thanks

MartinLS said:

I'm confident that the injectors were faulty as had two other garages suggest the same. But it would be easier to take it somewhere local - will call my local garage and get a price. Would it be worth doing another regen whilst they are there?
Thanks

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Do you use your Bravo for local trips? And have you used any Injector cleaner in the pass?

I do yes, I know now that it's not the best for the car! No, have never used any injector cleaner in the past. Apparently one of my injectors was pumping out 4 times the amount of fuel than it should (they had them out as able to test - other garages I spoke to couldn't do that).

I have had injector trouble previously with a Citroen, and found it difficult to get a good job done. I would advise taking it to a Bosch or Lucas diesel centre as these guys really know what they are doing and can advise on other issues relating to the diesel system as well. If injectors or nozzles are required they will provide and fit the right ones with the correct seals and washers. Deliver of 4 times the correct fueling sounds unusual and would result in uneven running and tons of black smoke.

Regenerating the DPF should clear the soot from it without removal. If the EGR valve has failed it is not usually a difficult job to replace it. I had a Laguna many years back and it took only 10 mins as this was accessible on that engine.

I supplied the new injectors, and the garage are diesel specialists- sadly i think it's just the case that the injectors were just part of the problem. The EGR valve is not easy to access on the Fiat, so will have to go back and look at possibly having to pay out for a new one. Been quoted around £300 fitted at local garages.
Thanks
Martin

The EGR is quite difficult to get to, However I recommend looking on ebay for the EGR can be picked up for £60-£100 and have a local garage fit it in they might charge £50 labour.