Ford recommending DPF filter be renewed @ 75k?

mullingar

My 06 Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI (110 bhp with DPF filter) is due for a 75k service, I found a copy of the Ford Service schedule for the car (attached) and on the second page it states:

Diesel particulate filter Every 75 000 miles - Renew - Duratorq-TDCi with Stage IV Emission only, if applicable (LTS 25 280 1)

Then from a bit of googling, it states just top up the fuel additive tank with this at around 70k or if an error code pops up:



Any Ford Mechanics got an opinion???

Row

Hi mullingar,
The is the same as Peugeot/Citroen request at this mileage...:rolleyes:
The filter would need to be checked with Fords diagnostic equipment or a
good equivalent diagnostic equip to check the condition of the filter.

What happens is with all the regens over that mileage the burnt ash builds
up in the filter and peugeot/citroen usally change it for a reconditioned dpf.

Some people have removed/cleaned there dpfs with power washers or
compressed air which can work for awhile but it has'nt been proven yet.

Peugeot/Citroen send off the old dpfs for cleaning..... so it would be nice to know what they use to clean them....

If your filter looks clean on live data (diagnostic equipment) you may get another 30k out of it till your replace/clean it....:)
I see on that link that ford use eloys 176 which Peugeot/Citroen also use.
Ron.

mullingar

Row,

You are a wealth of knowledge.

So whats your advice for my DPF as I always do my own basic servicing??

Ignore it until it reports a OBD fault?
Just top-up the additive?
Pay Ford to check it?
Exchange it? (How much does peugeot/citroen charge for an exchange?)

Thanks

(PS Thanks again for your help on the EGR)

mullingar

I was googling the dpf for the Focus (which is a combined CAT & DPF unit) and this is what I found:

http://www.cats-direct-shop.co.uk/diesel-particulate-filters-check-out.php?recordID=26

£242 (inc VAT excl shipping). 2 Year Warranty

Handy to know if it dies.....

Row

mullingar wrote: »

Ignore it until it reports a OBD fault?
Just top-up the additive?
Pay Ford to check it?
Exchange it? (How much does peugeot/citroen charge for an exchange?)

Not so sure about Fords but with peugeots a "Particle filter regeneration cycle urgent." Message comes up on the 407 1.6hdi's around 75-80,000mls
Usally when the dpf is changed peugeot would top up the additive tank and reset the system..again not sure about how ford do it but i guess its much the same as its the same engine...:)

Great link with dpf replacement.....;)...and it seems a good price as i think peugeot charge 400 euro-ish for the recon and charge 200 euros onto of that unless you give them your old dpf...:rolleyes:

If you know someone with ford diagnostic equipment the should be able to check how your filter is...but if its getting blocked it should throw up a fault code.

How the car running since you cleaned your egr valve...??
Ron.

This is the 1.6hdi (dv6) dpf that peugeot/citroen use,its split in the middle not like fords...Cat on top and dpf on the bottom...:)



This is the eloys tank on the 407 1.6hdi's...That going to be topped up...:)

mullingar

Thankfully the car is running great, EGR is giving no more problems and it actually 'feels' more torquey. Drove 120 miles since (some very spirited for its Milan tune-up) problem free :D

Re the DPF, no problems as yet, but there is 76k on her, and from googling and your help, the fault is coming soon....

On the Ford with a DPF blockage/fault, it just returns a engine fault number (cant recall what exact P number it is) and only Ford can clear it as its not part of the main ECU system.



Question, on a Peugeot/Citroen, if you top up the additive do you still have to reset the data for the DPF?

Row

mullingar wrote: »

Question, on a Peugeot/Citroen, if you top up the additive do you still have to reset the data for the DPF?

I usally reset the counters to zero,check the dpf's filter load and diff pressure and if it looks clean on live data I tell the engine ecu that its had a new dpf.....This usally clears the fault...:)
Ron.

mullingar

Is there any cheap diagnostic kit available that can do this work?

If not, I will have to bite the bullet and book 30mins of Fords time and get the DPF checked to get an idea how the DPF's load and differential pressure are and also how the additive level is.

I also have a new remote control key that needs to be programmed, so it will kill 2 birds with the 1 stone.

Row

mullingar wrote: »

Is there any cheap diagnostic kit available that can do this work?

Not that i know of...

If you know a good independent Garage whom have good diagnostic equipment like snap-on...dec II bosch or launch they maybe able read
the dpf pressure and filter load....as with the eloys fluid you maybe able to see whats left in your own tank (like pic above) and if it empty you can top it up yourself but will need the ford diagnostic equip or equivalent diagnostic equip above to reset counters..thats if the system is the same as peugeot/citroen...:)

I've got Peugeot/Citroen diagnostic equipment but im not sure if it would work on your focus.......but if you were around Galway at any stage we could try it...it may work under a 307 hdi....:)
Ron.

damothere

These DPF's are a disaster for the Focus . I had a 08 and @ 76k the warning signal came up "Engine System Fault" . I had to bring it to the Ford Dealer to clear it. They advised me it would be in the region of a €1000 to supply & install a new one. Needless to say I didnt get them to do it ! I removed it myself, took about 2/3 hours dismantling the engine to physically get it out. When it was out, the filter was enclosed in a sealed copper casing. I got and angle grinder, cut a flap in it and proceeded to break out the filter. I needed to get a specialist to re-write the ECU to bypass the dfp. (This cost €250)

Ever since I done this the car has been running perfectly, better than ever ! More go and better fuel economy + not putting as much pressure on the turbo !

mullingar

damothere wrote: »

These DPF's are a disaster for the Focus . I had a 08 and @ 76k the warning signal came up "Engine System Fault" . I had to bring it to the Ford Dealer to clear it. They advised me it would be in the region of a €1000 to supply & install a new one. Needless to say I didnt get them to do it ! I removed it myself, took about 2/3 hours dismantling the engine to physically get it out. When it was out, the filter was enclosed in a sealed copper casing. I got and angle grinder, cut a flap in it and proceeded to break out the filter. I needed to get a specialist to re-write the ECU to bypass the dfp. (This cost €250)

Ever since I done this the car has been running perfectly, better than ever ! More go and better fuel economy + not putting as much pressure on the turbo !

The problem is not isolated to the Focus's DPF, it happens on 99% other brands too. Sooner on later they all fail through their inherent design problem. Humans.

They MUST be driven for long stretches to enable the regeneration mode to operate and burn off the trapped soot. If the regeneration does not operate regularly, they will and do get blocked.

Anyway ours did get blocked in the end and I did the same as you and also got it remapped on a dyno (the only way IMO). Result was a certified 130hp and it hasn't missed a beat since.

damothere

mullingar wrote: »

The problem is not isolated to the Focus's DPF, it happens on 99% other brands too. Sooner on later they all fail through their inherent design problem. Humans.

They MUST be driven for long stretches to enable the regeneration mode to operate and burn off the trapped soot. If the regeneration does not operate regularly, they will and do get blocked.

Anyway ours did get blocked in the end and I did the same as you and also got it remapped on a dyno (the only way IMO). Result was a certified 130hp and it hasn't missed a beat since.

Good stuff ! Have you had your's NCT'd since removing it ? Any problem with emission readings ?

I was weary at the time of removing it altogether because I thought the emissions would go up dramatically and possibly effecting tax .

mullingar

damothere wrote: »

Good stuff ! Have you had your's NCT'd since removing it ? Any problem with emission readings ?

NCT only checks for smoke/soot content, no gasses (unlike petrol). It passed around 6 months ago at around 0.1, limit is 3.0.

I was weary at the time of removing it altogether because I thought the emissions would go up dramatically and possibly effecting tax .

Tax is only calculated on the cars when new, no modifications on the original engine will result in any change of tax value (except for a full engine swap).

bazz26

The DPF is currently not part of the NCT. I think this will change in the not too distant future however as all new diesel cars sold since Jan 2011 have a DPF fitted to meet EU emmission regulations.

slimjimmc

mullingar wrote: »

NCT only checks for smoke/soot content, no gasses (unlike petrol). It passed around 6 months ago at around 0.1, limit is 3.0.



Tax is only calculated on the cars when new, no modifications on the original engine will result in any change of tax value (except for a full engine swap).

Which is exactly what a Diesel Particulate Filter is for, is it not? A DPF reduces soot emissions not gasses (that's the job of a catalytic converter).