Technical Ducato DPF Problem

[Skyview]

Hello all,

New to the group, I've had my 2020 Ducato 2,3 multi jet Shadow Edition from new which now has 64,000 miles on and its been perfect, not missed a beat in five years, never had any warnings or issues (other than the start stop has never worked) until two weeks ago the engine management light came on with a start stop error and it went into limp mode with code P244B filter pressure too high.

After being checked at the garage I was advised to contact a DPF specialist, they checked, readings were high, they flushed the vehicle, readings came down vehicle drove fine and fault cleared.

After about 10 miles it went back into limp mode, the company came back out and checked, pressure readings were back high, flushed again, readings came down, fault cleared but vehicle had no power and the management light came on almost immediately.
They were stumped and advised I get the pressure sensor changed and check for air leaks.

I sent it in and they replaced the sensor and performed a re gen along with a service and mot as that was due this month.
Drove fine for 200 miles and then the management light came on along with start stop error (this time no limp mode)

I called in for diagnostic and its now saying the DPF is 69% clogged with soot. They advise it may require a new DPF.
I'm at a loss as to how it could be so clogged given I regularly do 4-500 motorway miles a week and its been flushed twice.
It also states that 6 regens have taken place although it didn't give data as to when.

I appreciate it might need a new DPF now, however id like to solve what's causing it to clog up in the first place so I don't end up with another clogged dpf

Any advice on how to rectify this will be much appreciated.

 

[deejays]

Please be aware that the regeneration is generally only triggered when the soot level registers 100%, so 69% is not an issue. Also, the 100% does not mean it is full of soot - not even 200% means that - it is just a trigger point for the regeneration. To determine what your issue currently is you will need a decent analysis that can be provided by Multiecuscan software.

 

[AsdaPricey]

Reading between the lines I believe you’re looking for hints/tips/previous fixes to pass onto a garage/workshop…is that correct?

Also your post suggests it’s a vehicle constantly on the go with weekly mileage of 400-500 miles - have you considered travelling further afield to a specialist?
There is a guy called Jimmy O’Riley in Biggleswade Click here
I’ve no affinity to him and can only go on what he posts on his YouTube channel from which can be gleaned that on Euro 6 equipped vehicles all components need to be fully functional and any garage you go to needs the ability to decipher the data in front of them, preferably but not necessarily read by MultiECUscan as alluded to by @deejays

Finally, on the very basic end of DPF diagnosis, you state that the “DPF Specialist” suggested checking for air leaks ( I surmise that any business advertising as a DPF specialist ought to be able to do this!)
Did your 2nd garage conduct a smoke test on the intake ducting to confirm there are no air leaks that would in turn cause the ECU to attempt to rectify the incorrect air to fuel ratio thus over-fuelling with subsequent excess soot?

 

[Skyview]

Thanks for the assistance will take that on board, yes that's correct hints and tips on possible causes would be ideal to avoid wasting time and money in the wrong place.
Regarding the specialist yes I would have thought so too.
Regarding the air leak, the 2nd garage checked for this and found no leaks.
I think I will look further afield as you advise and take it to some one with specialist knowledge on this subject.
Thanks again

 

[deejays]

Thanks for the assistance will take that on board, yes that's correct hints and tips on possible causes would be ideal to avoid wasting time and money in the wrong place.
Regarding the specialist yes I would have thought so too.
Regarding the air leak, the 2nd garage checked for this and found no leaks.
I think I will look further afield as you advise and take it to some one with specialist knowledge on this subject.
Thanks again

Am I correct in assuming your engine is an AdBlue variant?

 

[Skyview]

Am I correct in assuming your engine is an AdBlue variant?

Yes that's correct

 

[deejays]

Yes that's correct

Your issue may stem from the AdBlue components. There was a number of replacements early on - to do with the soot sensor/nox sensor in the downstream part of the AdBlue system. Suggest you have a look at the following : https://www.fiatforum.com/threads/f...or-p24-ae-fault-a-couple-of-questions.511629/

 

[Skyview]

Your issue may stem from the AdBlue components. There was a number of replacements early on - to do with the soot sensor/nox sensor in the downstream part of the AdBlue system. Suggest you have a look at the following : https://www.fiatforum.com/threads/f...or-p24-ae-fault-a-couple-of-questions.511629/

Thanks for that

 

[Blackers62]

Thanks for that

Hi Skyview, has your Ducato's issues now been resolved? Could you let me know what has been found and how it was repaired please, I have the exact same issues many thanks

 

[Skyview]

Hi Skyview, has your Ducato's issues now been resolved? Could you let me know what has been found and how it was repaired please, I have the exact same issues many thanks

Hi Blackers, unfortunately not sorted 100% yet. I took it to another specialist for diagnostics and its had two other sensors replaced.
Appeared to be sorted but after another 1k miles the engine management light and start stop warning came back on. It's not going into limp mode now and I've done another 1k miles or so now with the light on and its driving fine. when I can take it off the road for a day or so I'm going to try and get someone else to look at it.

 

[Blackers62]

Hi Blackers, unfortunately not sorted 100% yet. I took it to another specialist for diagnostics and its had two other sensors replaced.
Appeared to be sorted but after another 1k miles the engine management light and start stop warning came back on. It's not going into limp mode now and I've done another 1k miles or so now with the light on and its driving fine. when I can take it off the road for a day or so I'm going to try and get someone else to look at it.

Thanks for the update. The whole issue of these dpf's has been a pain in the ....! Im thinking of contacting O Reilly's garage to sort my van out. If you have seen his videos on Youtube, he's certainly got the knowledge on these things

 

[Reg 65]

I drove for well over a year and about 15,000 miles with the engine management light on and start stop inoperative message because I didn't have a code reader and I wrongly thought it was caused by my adding secondary batteries. It was only when it was coming up to its first MOT I realised it would have to be sorted as engine management light on is MOT fail. Then I discovered it was a DPF sensor which was changed under warranty.