Citroen C4 'particle fluid level low'

godtabh

I have a 2011 Citroen C4 1.6 HDI approx. 192,000km.

A check engine light came on today 'particle fluid level low' & 'risk of filter clogging'.

My understanding is that the DFP fluid needs to be topped up. Can any one confirm this and what kind of costs would be involved?

colm_mcm

As far as I know, you need EOLYS fluid and not AdBlue.

Usually there’s a tank under the car that you have to fill with a tube. That’s about all I know

godtabh

that's still a garage job by the looks of it? Or can it just be added to the fuel?

Irish Steve

It can't be added to the fuel as an ongoing option, and you need a decent auto computer system to reset the flag in the computer that says the fluid is low.

It is just about possible to DIY refill the tank, if you get the right kit to go with the bottle of fluid it has the special connectors and the instructions, and ideally do it on a ramp to make it less of a hassle to get to the tank connections , but it's not a nice job, and don't wear anything that you want to wear again, it's revolting stuff that stains anything (material and skin) it comes in contact with. I never have found out how long you can leave topping up, as far as I know, the way it works is that when you refill the tank, it sees how much fuel has been added, and pumps the right quantity of fluid into the tank.

If getting the fluid from a motor factors, make sure you give them the vehicle details, as there are several slightly different fluids, and they all have slightly different connectors on to the tank. It was the case at one time that Citroen were a lot more expensive for this stuff, but I think they've seen sense and made their price more competitive, but it would be worth checking around to be sure.

Don't get the 5 Litre size, the tank only takes 1 Ltr, and once opened, it doesn't keep well, you'd be very unlikely to use the rest of it.

godtabh

Defo sounds like a garage job so. Will any place do it or is it specialist work?

Irish Steve

The specialist bit is having the right computer to do the reset, a Snap on unit can do it, I don't know what others can, and of course, the Citroen dealers are in theory well used to doing the job, it's not a long process, so it shouldn't be too much for the labour content.

godtabh

Rang a few places. Kevin Barry quoting 600€ plus vat to clean DPF/top up fluid. Another place quoting 300€ including vat to remove the DPF.

What are the risks for getting rid of the DPF? Any nct issues?

sweetie

I've a 2011 Peugot 2008 and had to do this recently at a main dealer. Think they are the same engine? Came in at less than 300, €250 IIRC. Mongey Plunkett did it.

godtabh

Which part? They both have similar hdi engines dont they?

crosstownk

sweetie wrote: »

I've a 2011 Peugot 2008 and had to do this recently at a main dealer. Thin kthey are the same engine? Came in at less than 300, €250 IIRC. Mongey Plunkett did it.

Yep. Identical. It's worth calling a few Peugeot dealers as they will be using identical parts sourced from the same warehouse. €250 sounds about right for main dealer prices. The €600 quoted in an earlier post is excessive.

The additive required depends on the VIN and is about €170 + VAT from a Citroen dealer. Labour is additional.

sweetie

godtabh wrote: »

Which part? They both have similar hdi engines dont they?

Replacing the fluid. I'd about 160k done on mine.

deandean

Yea that's the mileage that the elosys fluid runs low at.
Most important is that you need the 'full' Citroen diagnostic software (Lexia or similar) to do resets etc when the fluid is refilled.
If you're in Dublin I suggest Noel Dolphin - Dolphin Motors, Clontarf. Citroen specialist.
Not cheap. Region €350 all-in. The fluid is expensive.
He refilled mine at about 185k. Now on 300k and all is well.
I had the DPF replaced at 260K with an OEM part by the above.

Stoolbend

Some cars have a tank you refil and some have a bag you replace.

They pretty much all take more than 1 litre. The tank can take up to 2.5.

Most diagnostic systems can reset it. It doesn’t need to be the Peugeot/Citroen computer.