Technical sedici multijet 3rd forced regen since march

[stephenbebop]

Hi All
Need advice please. I have had this sedici since march 76000 on the clock and have had to have 3 forced regens because engine light comes on and it go's into limp mode. mileage between last 2 regens was only 5000. Garage told me on the second regen to give it more welly and do some longer runs. Done that and the engine light still come on. Now the garage says that they think this will keep happening as they think the particle filter has had its life and is not repairable. They told me a new one would be £2750 plus vat but I can find them for £360 on eBay. But the garage also said they could take the filter off and remap the engine and I would never have that problem again and they said it would be better on fuel and power as well. But will this have any long term effects on the engine and do I have to inform the insurance company and would the road tax go up? Have any of you had it taken off or do you know of anyone who has. And has any problems been caused by its removal. Your thoughts please.
Kind regards Stephen.

 

[robotdancer]

Hi, common problem on all modern deisels from any manufacturer with emmisions regulation systems.

Before doing anything too radical, it's always worth removing the EGR valve and:

1: cleaning the mechanism and butterfly
2: cleaning up the solenoid that actuates the valve (use a contact cleaner or something that doesn't leave any residue on the solenoid for this bit).
3: have a look at the recirculation pipe that can get bunged up too.

non of the above is tricky and 9 times out of 10 it cures most emmissions based running problems.

It will take you a few hours of work at home, but it's an easy fix. The worst that can happen (unless you're a complete numpty ) is that the DPF is truly knackered and you've wasted a bit of time and got your hands dirty!

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Regarding DPF removal it shouldn't cause any engine issues but you'll have to notify insurance of the remap that's needed to undertake DPF removal successfully.

What sort of journeys do you normally do?

Regards road tax, I don't believe it'll go up as tax is done upon emissions when leaving the factory. You might want to find out from the DVLA, but personally I wouldn't bother.

 

[stephenbebop]

Hi all
Engine light on again only lasted 6 days since last regen. EGR and Throttle body was cleaned before it went for its last regen. My mileage is around 17 miles a day to and from work city driving. I do take it for a longer run at weekends to try and keep it cleaned out and the light come on when I was doing 90 this time so I am puzzled as I thought that speed would of kept it clear. Any other ideas as to why it comes on or do you think the DPF is completely buggered.
Regards Stephen

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Hi all
Engine light on again only lasted 6 days since last regen. EGR and Throttle body was cleaned before it went for its last regen. My mileage is around 17 miles a day to and from work city driving. I do take it for a longer run at weekends to try and keep it cleaned out and the light come on when I was doing 90 this time so I am puzzled as I thought that speed would of kept it clear. Any other ideas as to why it comes on or do you think the DPF is completely buggered.
Regards Stephen

It's unlikely to be the DPF itself tbh, more likely to be the sensors which control it, but its a matter of how to diagnose this tbh.

 

[T14086]

DPF temp sensors are poor on sedicis however also check the catalyst as seen a few break up and contaminate the DPF.

 

[stephenbebop]

Hi
I know this sounds daft but where is the catalyst on a sedici? I am handy with the spanners as I'm a time served mechanical engineer but things have moved on a little but I have not. So if pointed in the right direction I think I'll be OK to check it. Also where are the pressure sensors for the DPF the one's that comes from the DPF flexible pipe as I cant seem to locate them.
Regards Stephen

 

[varesecrazy]

Hi,
not familiar with the Sedici myself,
but catalysts are always surrounded by HD heatshielding,
under vehicle - or built into manifold stack,
Charlie

 

[varesecrazy]

Now the garage says that they think this will keep happening as they think the particle filter has had its life and is not repairable. They told me a new one would be £2750 plus vat but I can find them for £360 on eBay.

I would go through all the sensors before condemning the DPF,

and at that price quoted removing it and "backflushing" could be a cost-effective operation,

Charlie

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

I would go through all the sensors before condemning the DPF,

and at that price quoted removing it and "backflushing" could be a cost-effective operation,

Charlie

:yeahthat:

Has the correct oil always been used and oil counter reset when the oil has been changed? If not this could have been part of the cause

 

[stephenbebop]

Hi
Only had the car since March never been a service light on (car with spanner) always done my own work on cars. I have changed since buying the car oil, oil filter, diesel filter, air filter, cabin filter, antifreeze, timing belt/tensions, water pump, and auxiliary belt. The oil is fully synthetic as recommended in hand book. Garage say no codes apart from DPF clogged each time they have had it (3 times now). As for the oil which was used before I bought it service book just says oil and filter changed (no oil type is specified).
Regards Stephen.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Sounds like we've found a possible cause then. When the oil is change the oil counter MUST be reset (regardless of if its triggered a light to tell you to change it or not (not sure if it does on the Sedici)). If it isn't the car will eventually stop doing a regen to prevent the oil from becoming to dilouted.

Next step I'd suggest is getting this reset (and the oil changed again at the same time). Force another regen and see where it goes from there.

However depending upon how clogged the DPF has now become, the DPF might need removing and professionally cleaning.

I'm sure T14086 will be able to confirm if I'm correct with the above or not.

 

[stephenbebop]

Hi again just an update. I decided to take the DPF of and have a look though it. It was very black and sooty with no sign of light when looking though it. So I drilled some holes though and refitted it went for a drive and its no longer in limp mode although engine light is still on but car is a lot better now so I think my problem is the DPF so now I have to make a decision weather to replace DPF or completely remove the insides and have the engine remapped. Thanks for all your help Regards Stephen

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Hi again just an update. I decided to take the DPF of and have a look though it. It was very black and sooty with no sign of light when looking though it. So I drilled some holes though and refitted it went for a drive and its no longer in limp mode although engine light is still on but car is a lot better now so I think my problem is the DPF so now I have to make a decision weather to replace DPF or completely remove the insides and have the engine remapped. Thanks for all your help Regards Stephen

Well you've just successfully ruined your DPF! Why did you drill holes in it?!?!!

If you'd have got it professionally cleaned, or cleaned it yourself with brick acid cleaner and a pressure washer you'd have been far better off. You now have no choice but to replace the DPF now, or remap and completely drill it out, but with the latter you'll have insurance implications.

 

[stephenbebop]

Hi
Well I think its the best thing I've ever done. I shall now take it off on the next free weekend I get and completely remove all of the insides. Then it will go to be remapped. As for the insurance they told that it will go up by £36 for the year on my renewal in 3 weeks but I don't need to do anything until it been remapped as they said its the remapping that changes the insurance not the removal of the DPF. Regard Stephen.

 

[volvo_saint]

From my experience removing the DPF and closing off the EGR saves you money. Fuel efficiency becomes better and your inlet manifold will not be clogged up with soot.

The ECU will be need to be modified to remove the REGEN cycle. Done 28,000 miles without DPF and do not regret the decision.

 

[robotdancer]

Hi Saint,

Engine man light has popped up on my Multijet and it dropped into limp mode. Working fine now appart from light on dash (pretty certain its an EGR/DPF problem). Thinking about going down the same route as you.

Out of curiosity how did you get the ECU remapped/calibrated after you had blanked the EGR and removed the DPF, and how much did it cost?

Also when you removed the DPF how did you fill the gap it left in the exhaust system, just a random bit of pipe?

Cheers
Gary

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Out of curiosity how did you get the ECU remapped/calibrated after you had blanked the EGR and removed the DPF, and how much did it cost?

You get it remapped professionally.

Also when you removed the DPF how did you fill the gap it left in the exhaust system, just a random bit of pipe?

You leave the DPF casing in place, just gut its inners.