DPF issues

jmreire

Anyone know of a good DPF cleaning business in either Limerick or Cork? Some one with personal experience of the company?
There is also a lot of DPF cleaning products advertised on the net, has anyone tried ( or their Mechanic ) to DIY the filter in their own car? If so how did it work out?
Thanks for any info.

George Dalton

What you need is someone to correctly diagnose the cause of your symptoms and then take the appropriate action to solve the problem.

Very often even when DPF faults are present the DPF itself is not blocked and hence cleaning it won’t help.

It’s also very common that even in cases where the DPF is blocked it is because of some underlying fault in which case cleaning will only relieve the symptoms temporarily before it blocks again due to the original fault not being remedied.

Search for a “DPF Doctor” network member in your area. They are trained to always correctly assess and diagnose the system before deciding on how best to repair.

NickNickleby

Hello J,

I think you bought the E Class, am I right?

I got an engine light on mine, and using a cheapy ODI or whatever its called, I deduced it was a DPF problem.

Brought it to a highly recommended indy in Dublin City who specialises in Mercs. Basically he serviced the car and then brought it for an 'Italian tune up' on the M50. I think he drove it at very high revs in a low gear - apparently it was screaming - which cleared the filter. Then he gave out sh!te to me for buying it for city driving.

Now I give it a regular blast in a low gear up the M1 or wherever takes my fancy, for 30 minutes. So far so good (gah - jinxed myself). Good luck with it.

jmreire

George Dalton wrote: »

What you need is someone to correctly diagnose the cause of your symptoms and then take the appropriate action to solve the problem.

Very often even when DPF faults are present the DPF itself is not blocked and hence cleaning it won’t help.

It’s also very common that even in cases where the DPF is blocked it is because of some underlying fault in which case cleaning will only relieve the symptoms temporarily before it blocks again due to the original fault not being remedied.

Search for a “DPF Doctor” network member in your area. They are trained to always correctly assess and diagnose the system before deciding on how best to repair.

Thanks George. I scanned it with iCarsoft this afternoon, and it show's :- "
"ASH CONTENT OF DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER" 0.33 G
"SOOT CONTENT OF DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER" 5.16 G
"FILL LEVEL OF DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER" 95%

If that means anything to you? Its my first working experience of DPF problems, so feeling my way slowly. I do have other mechanical experience though, so not exactly a novice, but always ready to accept ( and to give ) any help offered with a problem.

The car (2010 MB w212 CDI ) is driving fine, no smoking, no loss of power, no warning light on dash, no fault codes showing in the scan.
Thanks again for your input, and I'll follow your advice.

NickNickleby

Bit more info...

dug out my receipts.

He replaced a DPFsensor which cost €115 plus VAT and fitting.

He also uses the Merc STAR system and he printed off the diagnostics, and pointed to a line on it that shows the DPF was fixed.

HTH

jmreire

NickNickleby wrote: »

Bit more info...

dug out my receipts.

He replaced a DPFsensor which cost €115 plus VAT and fitting.

He also uses the Merc STAR system and he printed off the diagnostics, and pointed to a line on it that shows the DPF was fixed.

HTH

Yes NickNickleby, you guessed right, it's a 2010 MB E Class 200CDI, OM651 engine, Automatic. Same as your's??? I have already tried the "Italian Tune-Up" 3rd gear at 100 kph @ 3000 RPM. for 20 miles out + 20 miles back on the motorway. A lot of what I'm researching points to the DPF sensor too. I have an iCarsoft MB OBD V11 scanner, and TBH, I find it great for what I need. But it's not showing ant fault codes whatsoever....:mad: I think that I'll change the sensor anyway, and see if that makes any difference before jumping on to more expensive fixe's. Thanks for your help.:D

NickNickleby

Hi j,

One thing about his Italian tuneup, he said any interruption would reset the computer and restart the 'counter' ie might as well not have driven the last 10km.

So, basically, if you did 20km, then turned the car around, you have to stop or at least turn around somehow, and that would be enough to stop the regen. Meaning, do it again. I don't know how far he drove. But he went to the south side of the M50 at night to avoid traffic for a clear run.

Good luck with it. Oh, and he said my DPF had been something above 75%. God! he really gave out to me for my vanity purchase with no research as to DPF problems. Then he took €691.15 off me:pac:.

I know this isn't really helpful, but it helps if we can laugh at this stuff!!:D:D

Sounds like you're right on top of it anyway.

finally (I swear) despite the dpf issue, I really love this car, its same as yours. When I bought it ,it was absolutely spotless, I always think "belonged to a doctor" as though that somehow is the measure of quality, but yep, it was immaculate.

cheers and good luck!

jmreire

NickNickleby wrote: »

Hi j,

One thing about his Italian tuneup, he said any interruption would reset the computer and restart the 'counter' ie might as well not have driven the last 10km.

So, basically, if you did 20km, then turned the car around, you have to stop or at least turn around somehow, and that would be enough to stop the regen. Meaning, do it again. I don't know how far he drove. But he went to the south side of the M50 at night to avoid traffic for a clear run.

Good luck with it. Oh, and he said my DPF had been something above 75%. God! he really gave out to me for my vanity purchase with no research as to DPF problems. Then he took €691.15 off me:pac:.

I know this isn't really helpful, but it helps if we can laugh at this stuff!!:D:D

Sounds like you're right on top of it anyway.

finally (I swear) despite the dpf issue, I really love this car, its same as yours. When I bought it ,it was absolutely spotless, I always think "belonged to a doctor" as though that somehow is the measure of quality, but yep, it was immaculate.

cheers and good luck!

Yes when I gave it the "Italian Tune Up" I set the speed limiter to 100 KPH, and drove it non stop for the 20 miles. Then it was stationary for about 45 mins, then drove it back the 20 miles, same condition's. With the MB DPF system, it has it's faults,,,as you mention, if it's interrupted, it reverts to zero,,,and starts the process all over again. In other systems, if you switch off the engine,,,the regen continues on until it's completed. Pity MB don't follow suit.. :mad: 20 miles should be more than enough to start and finish a regen I think.
Mine is reading 95% full....but again, I don't know what the regen parameter's are. So he lectured you about your "Vanity"purchase...but not so much about his " Vanity" project...all €691.25 worth of it??....easy talk with hindsight. This is my first Merc..after long and varied driving experience's, it's the best I have had so far. If this was another make, it would have been long gone by now...just would not be bothered taking all this trouble to solve a problem, but for sure, I'll be putting up a fight to keep this car. I'll post as I progress ( or not) on solving it !!! :o:o

George Dalton

jmreire wrote: »

Yes NickNickleby, you guessed right, it's a 2010 MB E Class 200CDI, OM651 engine, Automatic. Same as your's??? I have already tried the "Italian Tune-Up" 3rd gear at 100 kph @ 3000 RPM. for 20 miles out + 20 miles back on the motorway. A lot of what I'm researching points to the DPF sensor too. I have an iCarsoft MB OBD V11 scanner, and TBH, I find it great for what I need. But it's not showing ant fault codes whatsoever....:mad: I think that I'll change the sensor anyway, and see if that makes any difference before jumping on to more expensive fixe's. Thanks for your help.:D

It's not a good idea to just swap out that sensor. Whenever it is changed the sensor data needs to be reset in the ECU, otherwise the difference in readings (even if very small) compared to the old sensor can cause havoc in the system.



Part of the DPF Doctor assessment involves physically measuring the pressure across the DPF with a manometer and comparing that result to the sensor readings to verify the sensor is operating correctly. So as I said to you already your best bet is to get a complete system assessment carried out rather than replacing parts based on guesswork.

NickNickleby

Hi jmreire,

Just had yet another problem on what might be turning into a "lemon". Rear axle snapped due to rust. This part is a bit like a cage, bolted to the chassis, and the relevant bars for holding the wheels etc are fitted to it, with the appropriate bolts and bushings. Mechanic won't even hazard a guest at the cost of the fix, but it's going to be VERY painful. It's apparently well known on this model. You might want to get yours up on a ramp.This car has passed the NCT twice since I bought it and been serviced twice and the problem was never noticed. So it's a rot that starts on the 'inside' . This frame is like three sided box so there's scope for water ingress,and hidden corrosion. Hopefully you'll be luckier.

Rows Grower

There's a lad in Ballincollig that specializes in them, think he's on Done Deal. About 200 euro to clean it properly.

NickNickleby

Rows Grower wrote: »

There's a lad in Ballincollig that specializes in them, think he's on Done Deal. About 200 euro to clean it properly.

Thanks RG, bit far for a tow truck 😂, I'm in North Dublin. But I'll look him up, and see can anything be done locally and sent to him for repair (if nothing local ia available ). It's a nasty break, and can't even be welded, or perhaps that means can't be welded in situ. Waiting for further investigation here.

Rows Grower

NickNickleby wrote: »

Thanks RG, bit far for a tow truck ��, I'm in North Dublin. But I'll look him up, and see can anything be done locally and sent to him for repair (if nothing local ia available ). It's a nasty break, and can't even be welded, or perhaps that means can't be welded in situ. Waiting for further investigation here.

Sorry Nick I was talking about a lad that does the DPF filters.

NickNickleby

Ok Rows, it was my fault for going way off topic. I thought OP would see this info faster this way. He has the same model as I have.

I'm sick... and it's not Corona:-(

jmreire

NickNickleby wrote: »

Hi jmreire,

Just had yet another problem on what might be turning into a "lemon". Rear axle snapped due to rust. This part is a bit like a cage, bolted to the chassis, and the relevant bars for holding the wheels etc are fitted to it, with the appropriate bolts and bushings. Mechanic won't even hazard a guest at the cost of the fix, but it's going to be VERY painful. It's apparently well known on this model. You might want to get yours up on a ramp.This car has passed the NCT twice since I bought it and been serviced twice and the problem was never noticed. So it's a rot that starts on the 'inside' . This frame is like three sided box so there's scope for water ingress,and hidden corrosion. Hopefully you'll be luckier.

That's a bit of bad news all right...any chance you could post a few pics? The "Cage" you mention would be the rear sub-frame, and in the 211 MB E class, that was a known fault, but not so much in the 212 version. I had mine up on a lift replacing the hand brake shoes, and did not notice anything like that ( but maybe I was looking in the wrong place??? ) I have never heard of an MB rear axle snapping either, but that could be the bracket's that hold it to the sub-frame? A pic or two would explain a lot, if you can manage to post a few.

jimbooth

Sebastians Garage in Limerick, they do Terraclean as well

barneygumble99

It’s worth contacting Mercedes to see if will cover it under warranty. Our local Mercedes garage is replacing the parts for free regardless of the service history. Probably because it’s a very serious issue.

jmreire

barneygumble99 wrote: »

It’s worth contacting Mercedes to see if will cover it under warranty. Our local Mercedes garage is replacing the parts for free regardless of the service history. Probably because it’s a very serious issue.

Well worth a try, nothing to lose by contacting them anyway. It is a serious defect for sure.

Truckermal

jmreire wrote: »

Well worth a try, nothing to lose by contacting them anyway. It is a serious defect for sure.

I seen a thread about it here last year and MB covered everything under warranty.

ma88

NickNickleby wrote: »

Hello J,

I think you bought the E Class, am I right?

I got an engine light on mine, and using a cheapy ODI or whatever its called, I deduced it was a DPF problem.

Brought it to a highly recommended indy in Dublin City who specialises in Mercs. Basically he serviced the car and then brought it for an 'Italian tune up' on the M50. I think he drove it at very high revs in a low gear - apparently it was screaming - which cleared the filter. Then he gave out sh!te to me for buying it for city driving.

Now I give it a regular blast in a low gear up the M1 or wherever takes my fancy, for 30 minutes. So far so good (gah - jinxed myself). Good luck with it.

Can i please have the details of the so ''recommended indy in Dublin City who specialises in Mercs'' Please?! Thank you.

Ashleigh1986

I've a e250 with 350, 000 km on the clock.
Up to this year I would be doing a fair amount of motorway driving with airport transfers .
Engine management light came on and car was constantly going into limp mode .
Mechanic asked me how long more had I intended to use the car for .
2 more years hopefully .
He removed the dpf .
Car is now driving as good as when I first got it which is 3 years ago .
It no longer gives the feeling that it's clogged up and power is instant .

NickNickleby

ma88 wrote: »

Can i please have the details of the so ''recommended indy in Dublin City who specialises in Mercs'' Please?! Thank you.

Its called Mulligans Garage, 17 Synge Lane. D8. 01 478 2147

One thing, the parking around it (its in a laneway off Harrington St) is very tight. I left it on double yellows, he said he has an 'understanding' in the area, and fair enough a couple of days later I picked it up (off different double yellows) and no ticket.

For me he did the following:

Air Filter; Oil; Oil Filter; Sump Seal; DPF Sensor (€115) and then did the regen and a late night Italian Tune Up on the M50.

Total Cost 691.15 inc Vat. (Labour was €310 of it)

showed me the STAR outputs showing DPF state before and after etc etc. Can't remember the details now - but it all looked impressive at the time.

He also updated all the software.

Good luck.

jmreire

Ashleigh1986 wrote: »

I've a e250 with 350, 000 km on the clock.
Up to this year I would be doing a fair amount of motorway driving with airport transfers .
Engine management light came on and car was constantly going into limp mode .
Mechanic asked me how long more had I intended to use the car for .
2 more years hopefully .
He removed the dpf .
Car is now driving as good as when I first got it which is 3 years ago .
It no longer gives the feeling that it's clogged up and power is instant .

For sure, your are not the first ( or will be the last either 😅) to remove the DPF and re-program the ECU. Presently, as far as I know ( and am not sure either ) it will become an N C T issue. Maybe that's why the mechanic asked about how long you are intending to keep it for. Moral of the story is unless you are doing more than 15'000 klms per year, petrol is the best bet.

corks finest

jmreire wrote: »

For sure, your are not the first ( or will be the last either 😅) to remove the DPF and re-program the ECU. Presently, as far as I know ( and am not sure either ) it will become an N C T issue. Maybe that's why the mechanic asked about how long you are intending to keep it for. Moral of the story is unless you are doing more than 15'000 klms per year, petrol is the best bet.

Does removing the dpf do any harm?), to the motor?) thank you, or is it the sensor yere on about?

jmreire

corks finest wrote: »

Does removing the dpf do any harm?), to the motor?) thank you, or is it the sensor yere on about?

None whatsoever..once the ECU is re programmed to accept the change so it thinks that everything is OKAY, the engine is not affected, and most drivers claim increased performance. Bear in mind that until Emissions became an issue, there was no DPFs in cars.And the silencer is not affected in any way.

corks finest

jmreire wrote: »

None whatsoever..once the ECU is re programmed to accept the change so it thinks that everything is OKAY, the engine is not affected, and most drivers claim increased performance. Bear in mind that until Emissions became an issue, there was no DPFs in cars.And the silencer is not affected in any way.

Thanks for the explanation