How to check DPF and other stuff

[rufusgti]

Hi

My BMW's straight six has blown it's head gasket so i'm looking for a replacement. I spotted a chap selling a Citroen C5 estate today, 55 plate. 2.0 vtr diesel. it's very cheap for what it offers yet i'm not clued up on checking these cars over. Before I take it for a test drive, could anyone explain to me how I check if the DPF is clogged and any other problems this car may/will have.

The car has covered 141k....

I must be mad.

But that suspension..

[Megaflow]

You can't. Well, I suppose if you had some very trick kit you could interrogate the signal from the delta p sensor, but realistically it's not possible.

I'd be inclined to think as it has done reasonable mileage it should be ok.

Actually, now in have typed all that, will a 2005 car even have one?

[StottyEvo]

I wouldn't have though a 55 plate car has one, will probably still use a cat.

There's no real way to check its healthy as far as I know, providing the warning light isn't illuminated it should be fine (providing it has one )

[Megaflow]

Google seems to suggest it does have.

This would suggest its not the end of the world if it is clogged:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Citroen-C5-2-0-HDi-Repla...

[Zwolf]

Why not just replace the head gasket/engine on your current car instead of buying something else cheap and unknown in terms of reliability?

[DrDeAtH]

Zwolf said:

Why not just replace the head gasket/engine on your current car instead of buying something else cheap and unknown in terms of reliability?

This... Unless the BMW is completely shagged

[vikingaero]

I had the DPF light flashing on my Mazda recently. Looked in the handbook and it advised a dealer visit. Took it to a dealer who interrogated the ECU and said it needed a date reset and the DPF was clean at 3% of capacity.

[rufusgti]

DrDeAtH said:

Zwolf said:

Why not just replace the head gasket/engine on your current car instead of buying something else cheap and unknown in terms of reliability?

This... Unless the BMW is completely shagged

Not completely shagged by any means. 80k, FSH, M-sport 4 door saloon, facelift e46. it's a nice car. The mechanic who I have used for many years said to just trade it in as it's on borrowed time. I'm not that happy to trade it or sell it on if it's not going to last. I thought would put it through a "CASH FOR CARS" type place. I would get a pittance for it.

I asked a few people who said the same, that it's just not worth trying to fix. Weird. It drives perfectly.

[anonymous-user]

rufusgti said:

Not completely shagged by any means. 80k, FSH, M-sport 4 door saloon, facelift e46. it's a nice car. The mechanic who I have used for many years said to just trade it in as it's on borrowed time. I'm not that happy to trade it or sell it on if it's not going to last. I thought would put it through a "CASH FOR CARS" type place. I would get a pittance for it.

I asked a few people who said the same, that it's just not worth trying to fix. Weird. It drives perfectly.

Unless your BMW has had a hard life and is fked I'd say you're miles better off getting it fixed than looking at tired old bangers - most of the time the last owner sold it for a bloody good reason.

[bigdom]

rufusgti said:

DrDeAtH said:

Zwolf said:

Why not just replace the head gasket/engine on your current car instead of buying something else cheap and unknown in terms of reliability?

This... Unless the BMW is completely shagged

The mechanic who I have used for many years said to just trade it in as it's on borrowed time.

I reckon its time to find a better mechanic.

[t400ble]

Drop me a message if for sale. Cheers

[TheEnd]

What's the engine size on the BMW?
It's almost as if you are avoiding saying it. Headgasket issues are pretty rare, there can be other stuff that give similar symptoms.

[rufusgti]

TheEnd said:

What's the engine size on the BMW?
It's almost as if you are avoiding saying it. Headgasket issues are pretty rare, there can be other stuff that give similar symptoms.

Sorry, it's just I originally was asking about another car. It's a 325i so has the 2.5 litre straight six.