Help - blocked Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) on my Alpina
Discussion
I recently got a warning light come up for a blocked DPF on my Alpina D3. The car has covered just under 60,000 miles. Took it to the dealer; having inspected it they said there was nothing to do except replace the DPF unit at a cost of £1100+fitting. The worst part is this isn't covered by the warranty - I'm a bit miffed since I've not done anything to cause this (except driving the car in town instead of on the motorway).
I've heard rumours about a product called "Marly Ultra Turbo Cleaner" that's supposed to be able to clear the DPF thereby saving me a considerable sum for the replacement. However, I've not been able to find this anywhere. I've tried various diesel engine & injector 'cleaners' but with no effect.
Can anybody please advise me what to do next or better yet where to get hold of this Marly product in the London area? Thanks in advance.
I've heard rumours about a product called "Marly Ultra Turbo Cleaner" that's supposed to be able to clear the DPF thereby saving me a considerable sum for the replacement. However, I've not been able to find this anywhere. I've tried various diesel engine & injector 'cleaners' but with no effect.
Can anybody please advise me what to do next or better yet where to get hold of this Marly product in the London area? Thanks in advance.
I'll be sure to take it for a motorway run in the next few days and report back.
The car is used as a daily driver and I'd say it's about 85% urban (city) driving. To be honest, I had never heard of this problem before now. All my previous cars were petrol and the only reason I switched was the cost of driving an M5 around London was getting silly.
Not sure about the savings by going to an independent garage.. since the bulk of the cost is the part itself. Any recommendations in West London?
The car is used as a daily driver and I'd say it's about 85% urban (city) driving. To be honest, I had never heard of this problem before now. All my previous cars were petrol and the only reason I switched was the cost of driving an M5 around London was getting silly.
Not sure about the savings by going to an independent garage.. since the bulk of the cost is the part itself. Any recommendations in West London?
For the regeneration to start and continue the coolant temp must get above 75c.
If it drops below this it will stop it's operation.
On my E61 there is a 'hidden display' that gets you a real time display of the coolant temp.
Mine runs at about 79C and this is quite low. When the regen takes place it goes up to about 92C.
It's worth checking, if you can the water temp as you may have a thermostat that is sticking open.
If it drops below this it will stop it's operation.
On my E61 there is a 'hidden display' that gets you a real time display of the coolant temp.
Mine runs at about 79C and this is quite low. When the regen takes place it goes up to about 92C.
It's worth checking, if you can the water temp as you may have a thermostat that is sticking open.
Try this mate! Use this at work on the French motors
http://www.tunap.com/en/ranges/automotive/products...
http://www.tunap.com/en/ranges/automotive/products...
Edited by GT Kevin on Friday 25th March 19:40
roofer said:
Interesting, any link Gizalroc?
I was trying to find it, but couldn't. But searching on there I see a few have done it now.
One said that with the DPF on his 123d topped out at 255bhp but after the removal they managed to get it to 287bhp, so very restrictive.
Just search DPF* on there.
You're probably right, it is probably low.
I have done a lot of reading about running tempretures and 75C is the crucial temp for the DPF.
I am planning on having it done, it's just - one day soon.
A lot of LCI E60's are having DPF issues, on these cars they are supposedly a lifetime item. Its probably the same for the Facelift E90. I suspect it is the cool running not allowing a regen and without a coolant temp gague - that would be barely out of the blue section, people are being stung by dealers for £1500 for a new DPF without the cause of the clagging up being rectified.
Ashok, try and establish your coolant temp, replace the thermostat if necessary then have a 'forced regeneration' done via a GT1 - or similar diagnostics. It may clear up the issue rather than cost 1.5k for a new DPF.
I have done a lot of reading about running tempretures and 75C is the crucial temp for the DPF.
I am planning on having it done, it's just - one day soon.
A lot of LCI E60's are having DPF issues, on these cars they are supposedly a lifetime item. Its probably the same for the Facelift E90. I suspect it is the cool running not allowing a regen and without a coolant temp gague - that would be barely out of the blue section, people are being stung by dealers for £1500 for a new DPF without the cause of the clagging up being rectified.
Ashok, try and establish your coolant temp, replace the thermostat if necessary then have a 'forced regeneration' done via a GT1 - or similar diagnostics. It may clear up the issue rather than cost 1.5k for a new DPF.
You can't purge it yourself, it doesn't work like that.
A DPF trap large pieces of carbon, heats up the filter with excess fuel and turns these pieces of carbon into a very fine ash. Once the filter is full, it's full.
May be you can dissemble and clean it, but it is still a big job.
It is true that using a diesel car on short, low speed journeys will exaggerate the problem. You need heat, lower rpm loading and good fuel to keep the soot to a minimum. Driving short journeys at higher rpm's and light loads is a recipe for disaster.
A DPF trap large pieces of carbon, heats up the filter with excess fuel and turns these pieces of carbon into a very fine ash. Once the filter is full, it's full.
May be you can dissemble and clean it, but it is still a big job.
It is true that using a diesel car on short, low speed journeys will exaggerate the problem. You need heat, lower rpm loading and good fuel to keep the soot to a minimum. Driving short journeys at higher rpm's and light loads is a recipe for disaster.
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