Technical EML & sluggish

[trolleyed]

fiat doblo 2008 1.9 multijet
40k miles mostly short journeys

Firstly the back box of the exhaust fell off (rusted through)
Then red oil light came on, Car became really sluggish and stalled often on pulling away (could still go up to circa 3000 rpm though)

Had back box replaced and oil/oil filter changed (and reset I believe)

Then orange engine management light came on.

Diagnosed as failed air flow meter - replaced at a cost of £260. Was told the original one installed wasn't the correct part...

Engine managment light came back on shortly after raising revs on the motorway. It remained on for about 2 weeks but the car slowly got less sluggish and back to normal.

Then again on rising revs about a week later, engine light came on again and minor sluggishness returned.

Then the light went out and car was fine. Then light came back on again and sluggishness when pulling away returned. Gas to the floor but no power at all. This only happens sometimes but the light has now been on for a week at least. No noticeable other issues - i.e. I can take it to over 4000rpm without a problem (except for the speed limit )

Having read lots on this excellent forum, took it on the motorway for 40mins at 4000 rpm. Didn't see any smoke but it must have got pretty hot.

Concerned about taking back to the garage as expensive replacement last time seems to only have had a minor benefit. Can anyone suggest a course of action?

​

Thank you for your assistance in advance

PS. I'd be quite up for buying my own scanner software/leads etc. to try and nail down the problem - can anyone recomend a particular type/supplier?

 

[jetjem]

My first course of action with any sluggish diesel is to bung in a double dose of diesel treatment and if that doesn't work after a while, add a 5ml per litre, dose of 2 stroke oil as well.
Cost is only £6--£10 so not a lot to lose and never know it harm anything yet.

As a matter of interest who do you buy your diesel from?

 

[trolleyed]

Thanks - I'll have a go

Usually fill up at Esso/Tesco but mixture of Asda and Shell in there too

 

[sludgeguts]

PS. I'd be quite up for buying my own scanner software/leads etc. to try and nail down the problem - can anyone recomend a particular type/supplier?

I bought a cheapo (£13) bluetooth OBD thingy off ebay, connect to smartphone (bluetooth) & download an app (Torque - Free with limitations or around £3 for the full version). Not a pro job but it gave me an idea when the eml came on, can also use it to clear the faults. Youngest has used it a few times on his cars & also on some of his mate's cars.

OK, it's not all singing etc but for someone who wants a quick fix or to have an inkling before taking it to a garage, it does a reasonable job.
Read the codes, it gives you the option to look on a web database. You can even read the codes & come on here, you might hit lucky. Worth a punt.

 

[trolleyed]

I've tried some diesel treatment and then the 2 stroke oil. Whilst the sluggishness has reduced I still have a EML on.

So I purchased a ElmScan 5 Compact Diagnostic Kit from scantool direct and downloaded Multiecuscan - cracking stuff and so easy to use.

Codes that come up are
P0401 and P010F

I've reset a few times but the light comes back on again not at first - I've driven 50miles down the motorway before pulling into a service station and parking. On returning to the car and pulling away the light comes on. Other times the light has come on when I've been taking foot off accelerator.

Checked in multiecuscan several times and the EGR valve always seems to read 3.998% so I can only assume it is either stuck or the vacuum/electronics to control it aren't working. Is this a correct assumption?

Don't fancy taking it off to clean it (read that this is quite difficult) so how can I test whether it needs replacement or something else needs doing before forking out at a garage?

BTW Fuel consumption has risen from circa 38mpg to 45mpg since the light came on!

Thanks for your advice.

 

[madspof]

Did you ever manage to get to the bottom of this im experiencing the same problem ??

 

[trolleyed]

The EGR valve was completely clogged with carbon deposits inhibiting its movement and hence all the problems with lack of power. Either get it off and clean it (temp fix) or replace it (was around £150 at local garage) Watch out for the live contacts around the EGR - if you don't remove the fuse to the glowplug relay (a large red one on the left hand side of the engine fuse box) then you may damage the glowplugs/glowplug relay - you don't want to replace these

NB. the DPF on the car doesn't do any regens when the EML is on so failure to get the EGR fixed quickly (and hence reset of EGR) will result in clogging of the DPF as well which I understand is very expensive to replace but can be cleaned mechanically/chemically if required.

Hope that helps - good luck