DPF Problems

Heskey1971

Hi All,

I got great advice here and steering towards Don Baker in Enfield when I needed a new clutch on my Alfa 159 so I hope to get the same great advice again re my DPF problem.

Don has the diagnostics and told me the DPF and the sensor is the reason the '' get engine checked '' light is coming on.A few weeks later I got limp mode in it on the way to work.

Time to get it fixed and Don doesn't specialise in it.I did find a place in Trim,Souhan but is there anywhere in Dublin that is a complete specialist in this issue that can diagnose the problem 100% incase it is just a sensor ??? I am based in South Dublin.

Thanks

Tom

corglass

Heskey1971 wrote: »

Hi All,

I got great advice here and steering towards Don Baker in Enfield when I needed a new clutch on my Alfa 159 so I hope to get the same great advice again re my DPF problem.

Don has the diagnostics and told me the DPF and the sensor is the reason the '' get engine checked '' light is coming on.A few weeks later I got limp mode in it on the way to work.

Time to get it fixed and Don doesn't specialise in it.I did find a place in Trim,Souhan but is there anywhere in Dublin that is a complete specialist in this area that can diagnose the problem 100% incase it is just a sensor ??? I am based in South Dublin.

Thanks

Tom

Tom.

Find someone to remove the dpf like coby autos.

That's the long term fix and well worth the money (500 euro ish)

Marcusm

corglass wrote: »

Tom.

Find someone to remove the dpf like coby autos.

That's the long term fix and well worth the money (500 euro ish)

That would lead to an even more expensive change if, like the UK's MOT test, the NCT is updated to ensure that the original manufactured emissions systems remain in the vehicle.

Heskey1971

Marcusm wrote: »

That would lead to an even more expensive change if, like the UK's MOT test, the NCT is updated to ensure that the original manufactured emissions systems remain in the vehicle.

I agree,I think I'd rather replace it.

bazz26

I'd get the issue properly diagnosed first before replacing anything. Does the car do a lot of short journeys or city driving? If so then the DPF could well be blocked. It is possible to have a DPF regeneration forced or have the DPF removed and cleaned.

Heskey1971

bazz26 wrote: »

I'd get the issue properly diagnosed first before replacing anything. Does the car do a lot of short journeys or city driving? If so then the DPF could well be blocked. It is possible to have a DPF regeneration forced or have the DPF removed and cleaned.

Thanks Bazz

That's what I am asking.I know it could be DPF cause I do short journeys but I want an expert in Dublin to diagnose this 100% before I do anything

Titzon Toast

Marcusm wrote: »

That would lead to an even more expensive change if, like the UK's MOT test, the NCT is updated to ensure that the original manufactured emissions systems remain in the vehicle.

The word around the campfire is that's exactly what's about to happen.
I was looking at deleting a DPF myself and a good friend in the know advised me against it because of the reason you said.

bazz26

Heskey1971 wrote: »

Thanks Bazz

That's what I am asking.I know it could be DPF cause I do short journeys but I want an expert in Dublin to diagnose this 100% before I do anything

I'm sure one of the Alfa boys around here can recommend a good indy. The one guy I heard of who is an Alfa expert is Gerry Campbell in Ti Autos. He is in D7 afaik.

vectra

Titzon Toast wrote: »

The word around the campfire is that's exactly what's about to happen.
I was looking at deleting a DPF myself and a good friend in the know advised me against it because of the reason you said.

I asked this question to a friend working in an nct center and he said this is a long..LONG way off,
It is not even a visual at the moment .

I would get a dpf removal.

Who in their right mind charges €500 for that...?? :O

I have a friend locally here probably not much to you but he is way cheaper than that.
What car OP??

greasepalm

yes thinking someone with a fiat van had dpf issues withing 3 months of each other,he got removal of dpf pipe welded in and remapped for e150 i think.

vectra

greasepalm wrote: »

yes thinking someone with a fiat van had dpf issues withing 3 months of each other,he got removal of dpf pipe welded in and remapped for e150 i think.

I'd say that was dpf removal and light mapped out.

Remap would be more.

greasepalm

possibly right on that ,which leads me to next question cheap oil used or not changed often enough?

Heskey1971

Hi all,

It's an 2008 Alfa 159...only bought it 9-10 months ago.I take care of it and the past owner was away alot but it was taken care of.

It seems from my research that the clutch,gearbox and the DPF are all things that can go wrong between 80-120k miles on these Alfa's

I've heard that the changes in the NCT are coming sooner than thought,following the UK model.

I got a price for the remapping,get rid of the DPF and EGR valve,about 400.
Price of circa 600 to replace the DPF,reset everything etc
There are very few DPF garages,alot seem to regenerate it,clear the faults and tell you everything is fine.it's not.

gooner99

Just wondering if removing the DPF is not a good idea from a health point of view. Probably at some stage the EU will cop that a large percentage of motorists are doing this and ban the removal.

Gosub

How do the UK testers know if the DPF has been cored out? A visual won't tell and the exhaust gas test won't tell either. As far as I can tell, the only way to tell is to check the map. I can't see this being done.

gooner99

Gosub wrote: »

How do the UK testers know if the DPF has been cored out? A visual won't tell and the exhaust gas test won't tell either. As far as I can tell, the only way to tell is to check the map. I can't see this being done.

Good point.Maybe the EU will ban manufacturers from putting them in in the first place.would be good for the consumer.

Gosub

I got mine cored earlier this year. The resulting 1 L/100km reduction in fuel consumption tells me I did the right thing. The big power increase (150 to 180) just makes me smile. And yes, my insurance company are aware.

vectra

Gosub wrote: »

I got mine cored earlier this year. The resulting 1 L/100km reduction in fuel consumption tells me I did the right thing. The 33% power increase (150 to 180) just makes me smile. And yes, my insurance company are aware.

And how did they respond to it?

Gosub

vectra wrote: »

And how did they respond to it?

Weren't too bothered. My premium wasn't affected. They did seem surprised to get the phone call. The fella said if I go over 200 to call again as it will trigger an increase.

Edit to add: My car is available with the 180 as standard so he just changed the model, I think.

unkel

gooner99 wrote: »

Just wondering if removing the DPF is not a good idea from a health point of view. Probably at some stage the EU will cop that a large percentage of motorists are doing this and ban the removal diesel.

FYP

Redsoxfan

OP - the DPF was clogged on my 159 when I bought it. Don couldn't help as he doesn't have the necessary software (yet). I bought Multi ECU Scan (formerly Fiat ECU Scan afaik), hooked up the car to my laptop via the OBD port and the necessary cable and 20 minutes of noise and heat late the DPF was unclogged and no issues since. Granted I do 50 miles of motorway driving everyday so the engine is probablly much more suitable for my needs.

You can use this method to unclog the DPF regularly if necessary, but I wouldn't be doing it around a housing estate. Stay away from grass verges as well...

With regard to DPF removal and a proper remap, give Joe Power (Chipped Ireland) a call. He works with the Alfa expert in this who is based in St Helens over in England.

If you are only doing short trips around town you need to remove the DPF and get the car remapped. Otherwise sell it. Double check this with Gerry Campbell or Don himself of course.

Redsoxfan

Heskey1971 wrote: »

I got a price for the remapping,get rid of the DPF and EGR valve,about 400.
Price of circa 600 to replace the DPF,reset everything etc
There are very few DPF garages,alot seem to regenerate it,clear the faults and tell you everything is fine.it's not.

By the way, where are you getting these prices?

600 euro to replace the DPF seems low.

Heskey1971

Redsoxfan wrote: »

By the way, where are you getting these prices?

600 euro to replace the DPF seems low.

Hi Redsox,got the 625 price for replacement in Souhan's in Trim.Spoke to a couple of people and they seem to have a good reputation,have been around for years and stand over their work.
They do alot of DPF replacements and that's the first criteria I look for in any service provider.
The 400 is a ballpark quote I got off a local Dublin price to remove the DPF.
Dropped it in yesterday,check engine light on,fingers crossed all will be ok.
I agree with you,if I continue to use it for short journeys I need to be disciplined and being it out on the motorway every week for am hour in 4th or get rid of it.

Redsoxfan

Yeah, have heard of Souhans before and they seem to have a good reputation. Not sure there's actually much labour involved in installing a new DPF, so fair enough. Just thought the parts cost alone would be more.

I'm going for a remap and DPF removal next weekend. Will take my chances but keep the DPF in case the NCT do add it as a requirement.

Best of luck with the new DPF. By the way, is it a 1.9 or a 2.4 JTD? The gearbox on the 1.9 seems to be a big enough problem on the 1.9s it seems....

pred racer

Heskey1971 wrote: »

Hi Redsox,got the 625 price for replacement in Souhan's in Trim.Spoke to a couple of people and they seem to have a good reputation,have been around for years and stand over their work.
They do alot of DPF replacements and that's the first criteria I look for in any service provider.
The 400 is a ballpark quote I got off a local Dublin price to remove the DPF.
Dropped it in yesterday,check engine light on,fingers crossed all will be ok.
I agree with you,if I continue to use it for short journeys I need to be disciplined and being it out on the motorway every week for am hour in 4th or get rid of it.

Hi, I have a 159 too, what did the scan say when you got it done?
the differential pressure sensors have a habit of going on them and could cause your issues. Ive had one of mine changed. maybe change those and get a forced regen done first?
And if it needs a regen, 10 mins on the motorway (or even a national road) will kick start it and it will take about 15-20mins after that.
for example if mine needs a regen and I leave Lucan onto the M4 by the time I pass the Maynooth exit it will be stinking the place out:D (and thats just driving normally at motorway speed)

Heskey1971

pred racer wrote: »

Hi, I have a 159 too, what did the scan say when you got it done?
the differential pressure sensors have a habit of going on them and could cause your issues. Ive had one of mine changed. maybe change those and get a forced regen done first?
And if it needs a regen, 10 mins on the motorway (or even a national road) will kick start it and it will take about 15-20mins after that.
for example if mine needs a regen and I leave Lucan onto the M4 by the time I pass the Maynooth exit it will be stinking the place out:D (and thats just driving normally at motorway speed)

You must be a mindreader Racer,new DPF put on yesterday,Souhans do a long test run after the fit,there were 2 faults showing when it was dropped in.The old DPF was practically completely blocked.After the run all faults were clear,then this morning on a cold start the differential sensor came up again,need a new one and of course cant get one till monday/tuesday.Any idea on price ?
Souhans had already fixed the rubber hose from the sensor and they thought that was the problem but the sensor must have gone too.

Heskey1971

Redsoxfan wrote: »

Yeah, have heard of Souhans before and they seem to have a good reputation. Not sure there's actually much labour involved in installing a new DPF, so fair enough. Just thought the parts cost alone would be more.

I'm going for a remap and DPF removal next weekend. Will take my chances but keep the DPF in case the NCT do add it as a requirement.

Best of luck with the new DPF. By the way, is it a 1.9 or a 2.4 JTD? The gearbox on the 1.9 seems to be a big enough problem on the 1.9s it seems....

Hi Redsox,

A 1.9 16v 150BHP

Re the gearbox,I went to Don Baker to get a clutch done and when he tested after the new one was fitted,he told me the bearings were going in the gearbox.1st gear would hop when I take off and there was a '' noise ''.took me 3 weeks to get around to dropping it out to Enfield.
He took out the gearbox,fixed everything and it is perfect but he told me his gearbox lad said a couple of bearings had come loose when he opened the gearbox up,i had about 30-40 miles left and then it would be a new gearbox which Don priced just for the craic...€4,750 new

Heskey1971

pred racer wrote: »

Hi, I have a 159 too, what did the scan say when you got it done?
the differential pressure sensors have a habit of going on them and could cause your issues. Ive had one of mine changed. maybe change those and get a forced regen done first?
And if it needs a regen, 10 mins on the motorway (or even a national road) will kick start it and it will take about 15-20mins after that.
for example if mine needs a regen and I leave Lucan onto the M4 by the time I pass the Maynooth exit it will be stinking the place out:D (and thats just driving normally at motorway speed)

My DPF was gone too far,forced regen done last week in another garage,will get exact details re percentages etc when I pick up the car.
Can you let me know the cost of that sensor ? They told me its a 20 min job to fix it after they get the part

pred racer

Heskey1971 wrote: »

My DPF was gone too far,forced regen done last week in another garage,will get exact details re percentages etc when I pick up the car.
Can you let me know the cost of that sensor ? They told me its a 20 min job to fix it after they get the part

if i remember, it was 70 euro including fitting, audi and VW use the same sensor so easy to get.

I know its after the fact now but there are many ways to unblock a dpf;)

Redsoxfan

Heskey1971 wrote: »

Souhans had already fixed the rubber hose from the sensor and they thought that was the problem but the sensor must have gone too.

Had same issue with mine - the hose.

pred racer wrote:

I know its after the fact now but there are many ways to unblock a dpf

Aye, including the power washer method, demo on You Tube. Very technical!

Leydo10

Yes David stokes motors in Finglas and sean ryan in clane both have the BG Products DPF machine.BG of Ireland are the importer. They clean the DPF when blocked and also the intake manifold without removing of damaging your car.