Sorry if this is a daft question, but I've had really good results from this forum before, so here's hoping!

Warning light came on on my Qubo today, 'stop and go (is that it?) not available. Check engine. Instant panic! Called Green Flag chap, he checked with computer and said 'diesel particulate filter blocked.' He advised I give it some welly for the rest of my 50 mile journey, but to no avail.

So .....dear forum people, do I
A) go to a Fiat dealer (the local one charges a fortune and are a bit useless
B) get a local garage to fit a new one

And any ideas as to cost? I would be really grateful for your thoughts.

Check the oil degradation level for the dpf. It might not have been reset assuming you have had services. . . I would change the oil now anyway, reset the dpf oil degradation. This will allow the engine to run a regen either forced in the software or better during the next few long drives

Also check the handbook for instructions for a forced regeneration of the DPF.

Thanks very much for taking the time to reply, you don't know what it means to me to get some expert advice.

I had the car serviced by Fiat in March. Probably 2000 miles since then, all journeys at least 40 miles. I'm now on holiday (!) 150 miles from home.

Just in case I wasn't clear, it was the engine management light (Amber) that came on, with the start/stop not working message, and check engine messages too. I've just checked the oil levels, which are high, and there is black oil seeping out around the oil cap.

It's time to bite the bullet and take it to the Fiat garage isn't it?

Arrgh! I phoned the local Fiat garage and they can't see me for 2 weeks! I tried the local Joe and he said it's too complicated for him.

What can I do?????? Sob!!!!!!

If you are on holiday and there is a garage nearby speak to them. Tell them the whole story, show them this thread on forum. Ask if they have the computer necessary to force a regeneration of your dpf (forced regeneration is posh way of run a cleaning cycle)
If they can't and there is a fiat dealer handy to where you on hols go to fiat dealer.
If you don't fancy any of that it can wait till you get home to your local dealer.

Thanks for the reply

I've managed to book it in with a chap about 8 miles away for Monday. He did the teeth sucking and intake of breathe thing, which is worrying.

You don't think it will blow up on the way there? He reckoned the oil volume has increased because of diesel going into the oil. I'm not explaining this well, sorry.

I truly hate that car. I may turn to drink.

With a Doblo, the driver can force a regeneration. There is a process to put both accelerator and clutch hard down, then start the engine. Engine starts and revs increase to about 2000rpm, then hold whilst regen takes place. You can let go of the pedals.

Don't do this. Read the handbook first. This is from memory, and may not be quite right. It may also not work for Qubo. Handbook will advise.
Read handbook several times to be sure of process. Follow it accurately.

Royal Mail are using some Doblos and the short hops clog them up quickly. They all have a laminated card in the glovebox with instructions, whichis why you will sometimes see postmen standing next to their van, bonnet up, engine revving.

DPF normal operation seems to drain excess fuel into the sump. It is supposed to evaporate away I think, but often tends to raise the oil level. This is what triggers an oil degradation warning. The oil needs to be changed, and both the oil change and degradation indicators reset. Dealer software will do this. There are some others on the market that will also do this, but not all. MultiECUscan (MES) will do this, and some Forum members have this software. Tell us where you are, there may be someone nearby who can help, maybe just to reset after garage has changed the oil.

It won't blow up , its just a part blockage in exhaust system(simplified version)
Do read the drivers hand book as suggested , if you don't understand bit of handbook post it on here for explanation.

I've had a read of the handbook. It explains what the DPF cleaning underway symbol signifies, and says if it shows up, to keep the car in motion @ 60km/h with an engine speed higher than 2000rpm for about 15 minutes. It explains this is not a fault and therefore the car doesn't need to go to a workshop.

My (automatic) did not show this symbol ( an exhaust pipe spraying) but rather the injection system fault (engine symbol, Amber). In fact, when turning the car on, the DPF cleaning underway symbol goes out, as normal. It's the engine symbol that stays on.

So, in summary, the handbook explains what things are, but doesn't give any instructions in how to force the regeneration. Mr Green Flag revved it for a few minutes to see if that did the trick, but it didn't.

I'm in Broadhaven North in Pembrokeshire, btw. I feel much better for your comments, so thanks for them all. At least the sun is shining.

Yes that's it enjoy the sun and you car won't blow up.

Bissell said:

Arrgh! I phoned the local Fiat garage and they can't see me for 2 weeks! I tried the local Joe and he said it's too complicated for him.

What can I do?????? Sob!!!!!!

Click to expand...

Where are you on holiday? maybe a member can help or suggest a garage.
I can have a look if you are near Cambridge.


Just read you are in Broadhaven, sorry I can't help.

g8rpi said:

Where are you on holiday? maybe a member can help or suggest a garage.
I can have a look if you are near Cambridge.


Just read you are in Broadhaven, sorry I can't help.

Click to expand...

super nice of you as usual Robert

Hope your all right about this fellas, as I understood it, its well possible for the engine to run out of control inflicting damage on itself, all because of the excess of diesel fuel in the sump.........fingers crossed hey !
Qube O.

Just as an update, I found a garage a few miles away where a nice young man diagnosed a split tube of some description which had meant the regeneration of the DPF had not occurred. He ordered one off Fiat, fitted it, regenerated the filter and Bobs your Uncle, all is well again. All in 24 hours and for £185.
I'm happy with that!
Thanks for all your input and calming words!

Good
Easy to be spooked by all the dpf talk, it is often a small problem in the end

do write to green flag..

and let them know it was a relatively simple solution , had their operative bothered to investigate.