DPF problems and now the gearbox - Doblo 2012 1.3 TD Multijet

Hi all, new to the forum for desperate advice needed!
A few months ago I purchased a 2012 Fiat Doblo 1.3 TD Multijet with 105k on the clock, all went well for the first couple of weeks until the check engine light came on which entered the van to limp mode. Took it to my local mechanic who ran a diagnostic, he advised it was the fuel rail pressure sensor, the sensor was only available from Fiat at £160! Due to needing the van I agreed, part now fitted, check engine light cleared all was well (for
Now!) the mechanic did say the van was very “ticky” and the cam chain may need replacing (chains are supposed to be for life!), I know a guy who only does Cambelts/chains, after a quick call to him he advised he works on a lot of multi jet engines on both Fiat and Vauxhall’s...chains apparently are far from being “for life”!
Cam-chain now changed.
All was well for two weeks until the check engine light re appeared, I have now purchased a Delphi diagnostic system, plugged in fault code was “DPF” filter blocked, (just to mention at this point in-between the check engine light coming on the van runs as smooth as silk with no power loss)
Whilst in the diagnostic I activated the forced regeneration, this process took around 25 minutes, once complete I reset the ecu error code and all was well....for now.
I looked at prices of a new DPF filter, once again this is a Fiat only part costing £1950 plus VAT....just for the filter NOT inc labour!
Having researching blocked DPF filters some say you can clean, or add an additive or “drive it like you stole it” to solve the problem. I decided to purchase archoil in tank high concentrate DPF cleaner which is added to a full tank of diesel, 3/4 way through the tank I though all was going well....then randomly the check engine light has come back on!
I will be plugging back in to the diagnostic this morning and will report back.

On a separate issue which has stated to develop, I am having a hard time engaging 1st gear or reverse from a stand still without the gears grinding, could this mean a new clutch, replacing the clutch fluid, checking linkages for play???

Getting bored very quickly if this van.....
Someone have the miracle answer ...please!

Update- diagnostic has come back as “fuel rail pressure sensor” this is the same fault code as before, the sensor was changed for a genuine part around a month ago!
It does make me wonder if the diesel filter may need changing, I almost had a stroke at the cost of it....£160 plus vat for the filter canister!

Luke Bull said:

Update- diagnostic has come back as “fuel rail pressure sensor” this is the same fault code as before, the sensor was changed for a genuine part around a month ago!
It does make me wonder if the diesel filter may need changing, I almost had a stroke at the cost of it....£160 plus vat for the filter canister!

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Hi

Gearchange :

Check the engine mounts.. then lube the gearchange cables.



These motors are VERY common.

9 different manufacturers use them

Vauxhall : Opel will be the cheapest..easiest.. for uk

There should be pattern or aftermarket for most items.

Your sensor issue sounds like bad wiring..
what feedback is the ECU seeing?

Charlie - 1.3 punto multijets

Your sensor issue sounds like bad wiring..
what feedback is the ECU seeing?

Charlie - 1.3 punto multijets[/QUOTE]

TBH I make automotive wing mirrors for a living!, I am only a home taught mechanic, so have not delved in to deep into the softwares capabilites!
Would the engine mounts cause issues engaging gears when only idling?

Luke Bull said:

Update- diagnostic has come back as “fuel rail pressure sensor” this is the same fault code as before, the sensor was changed for a genuine part around a month ago!
It does make me wonder if the diesel filter may need changing, I almost had a stroke at the cost of it....£160 plus vat for the filter canister!

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The fuel filter can be one of two types, a paper element in a plastic housing with the top held on with threaded collar or a metal replaceable cannister. Typical cost is between £30-£50 for paper or £40-£70 for metal. You need the VIN to be sure which one (or look at it).
It sounds like you may have some other electrical problem like a bad earth.

Does the Delphi system let you look at live data? what is the pressure sensor saying the pressure is?
Multiecuscan www.multiecuscan.net. is one of the best diagnostics for Fiats.

Robert G8RPI.

Hi Robert, if I supply my VIN are you able to advise which filter I need?

The body of the filter is all metal, number etched to body is 50522918, the top cover is retained by 6 torx head bolts.

Luke Bull said:

The body of the filter is all metal, number etched to body is 50522918, the top cover is retained by 6 torx head bolts.

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Just to prove me wrong, that is a metal housing for a replaceable element.
I think the correct element is a MANN / Eurocarparts 503720079



Put your registration / VIN in their website. I think you are getting bad advice on parts cost, £160 would be the housing from Fiat.


Robert G8RPI.

Hi Robert, this is the same as mine:


https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/312650195457

Always the way with this van I have looked on YouTube for a “how to” on this filter type with no results, loads for the plastic housings!
I checked Euro car parts, out of the 3 possible options the image you supplied looks to be correct.
I am still cautious, carried out an oil and filter change, parts purchased from euro car parts in store, gave the guy my reg number, he advised me it could be one of three, so I purchased them all with the intention of taking the other two back, returned home drained oil removed oil filter screw cap and withdrew filter. I compared to all three, non we’re a match?! Called the same store to say all three filters did not fit, I could still See the Mann filter part number on the old filter, read him the P/N and he then advised that’s not linked with this van but “Fiats are a pain in the arse, this happens all the time”!

If you could confirm the filter you have mentioned is a match that would be great!!

Luke Bull said:

Hi Robert, this is the same as mine:


https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F312650195457

Always the way with this van I have looked on YouTube for a “how to” on this filter type with no results, loads for the plastic housings!
I checked Euro car parts, out of the 3 possible options the image you supplied looks to be correct.
I am still cautious, carried out an oil and filter change, parts purchased from euro car parts in store, gave the guy my reg number, he advised me it could be one of three, so I purchased them all with the intention of taking the other two back, returned home drained oil removed oil filter screw cap and withdrew filter. I compared to all three, non we’re a match?! Called the same store to say all three filters did not fit, I could still See the Mann filter part number on the old filter, read him the P/N and he then advised that’s not linked with this van but “Fiats are a pain in the arse, this happens all the time”!

If you could confirm the filter you have mentioned is a match that would be great!!

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Hi,
The part you linked to is the housing, you only need the element. I CAN'T confirm 100% the one I listed is one it needs, but am pretty sure I'm correct.

You could go to a main dealer and ask them for price. I can't check the VIN as the computerised parts catalog is not new enough for your van.
On the oil filter, just because the element does not look identical to the old one does not mean it's not OK.

By the way, the screw heads on the housing cover are not Torx, they are RIBE, common on Fiat and GM engine parts. You can get a set of bits from Machine Mart or ebay.


Robert G8RPI.

Just to update, I have now replaced the diesel filter with the filter mentioned by Robert G8RPI, thanks for the info! Just to confirm the six securing bolts are torx T25, not RIBE (purchased a set for the job and would not fit!) torx T25 perfect!

Any positive effect on the Error message?


How were the engine mounts?

Charlie

varesecrazy said:

Any positive effect on the Error message?


How were the engine mounts?

Charlie

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Not checked the mounts as yet, however a HUGE improvement with starting after replacing the filter, the van does not do much motorway driving, generally the check engine light appears on long journeys, the last time it came on was around a month ago; after plugging in the fault on that occasion was “fuel rail pressure sensor”, interesting this was the same fault which appeared around 6 months ago when I renewed the rail sensor (£180 genuine only option!), this now makes me think it may have been low pressure from a clogged filter?

Update: up to now all was well, no warning lights and start up so much better after the filter change, today I drove a 130 mile round trip, after 110 miles.....check engine light back on, it’s so odd the van drives superb until totally randomly you feel a slight hesitation and the lights back on which kicks the turbo off and rev limits....plugging back in tomorrow, two existing faults were “fuel rail pressure sensor” which has now been replaced for a genuine sensor and “DPF Filter blocked”, I ran a tank of diesel with Archoil DPF cleaner, also carried out a forced regeneration via the software......update tomorrow!

HI, I to have a 2012 1.3 multijet sx and like you I was having trouble getting the van into 1st and reverse would either fly straight in or it would be like my gearbox was in bits! A couple of weeks ago I had a new clutch fitted, thinking "well its cheaper than a gearbox" and for me its like a different van every gear change is positive and correct, even reverse although I have noticed a few posts where it has been mentioned that for reverse you should from standstill, go from neutral to first gear (with foot on clutch) then into reverse! Not saying you should go out and get a new clutch but for me that's all it was.

cheers

bazm71 said:

HI, I to have a 2012 1.3 multijet sx and like you I was having trouble getting the van into 1st and reverse would either fly straight in or it would be like my gearbox was in bits! A couple of weeks ago I had a new clutch fitted, thinking "well its cheaper than a gearbox" and for me its like a different van every gear change is positive and correct, even reverse although I have noticed a few posts where it has been mentioned that for reverse you should from standstill, go from neutral to first gear (with foot on clutch) then into reverse! Not saying you should go out and get a new clutch but for me that's all it was.

cheers

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How much was the clutch change out of interest? I also have a 2012 1.3 td multijet

Update: fault code P0089 - Rail pressure sensor- intermittent.......again! So sensor replaced, diesel filter replaced, penny for your thoughts!

The clutch I bought myself from GSF while they had a 60% off sale for £75.00, it was by Valeo (if you have a android phone Valeo do a parts app that's how I made sure it was the correct clutch) and the garage I have used for years charged me £160.00 to fit the supplied clutch.

Luke Bull said:

Update: fault code P0089 - Rail pressure sensor- intermittent.......again! So sensor replaced, diesel filter replaced, penny for your thoughts!

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Bump

Luke Bull said:

Bump

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Dpf equipped?