DPF issues, car going into limp mode.
Discussion
We've had our Macan SD for nearly 5 months and in that time the car has gone into limp home mode 4 times. This is immediately preceded by a DPF message to regenerate the filter. The first two times I managed to sort it by taking thr car out for 30 min drive above 2k RPM. However last week the same thing happened and the car lost power and was undrivable. I got the car recovered and Porsche said the DPF was severely clogged but should be ok for now but it would most likely happen again as my wife only does short journeys.
Yesterday the same thing happened. Glow plug light flashing, engine management light on, car undrivable. Took the car first thing and asked them not to return it until its sorted. Had a call today to say they were replacing a sensor but again said it would probably happen again as my wife's day to day is short journeys.
In my eyes any car that can't be driven for a few weeks without visiting the dealer is not fit for purpose. Am I being unreasonable and has anyone else had similar issues.
Yesterday the same thing happened. Glow plug light flashing, engine management light on, car undrivable. Took the car first thing and asked them not to return it until its sorted. Had a call today to say they were replacing a sensor but again said it would probably happen again as my wife's day to day is short journeys.
In my eyes any car that can't be driven for a few weeks without visiting the dealer is not fit for purpose. Am I being unreasonable and has anyone else had similar issues.
Fish said:
DPF diesels will no work in certain drive cycles ie repeated a few miles at low engine revs as they don't get upto temperature to burn off the soot.
Basically you have the wrong car for your needs. You need a petrol.
This will be the same no matter what make..
^ This , in a nutshell.Basically you have the wrong car for your needs. You need a petrol.
This will be the same no matter what make..
Speaking as someone who has lived the DPF nightmares with SWMBO's Mazda 5.
The only way out is to sell it.
kilarney said:
Unlikely its going to be a fix until replaced. Is the sensor the reason it clogged ie wasnt initiating a regen. When you take it in they probably manually initiate it. New DPF is likely. Short journeys kill them so theyre right about that.
New sensor fitted. Lets see how long it lasts. Chaps on the sales team agreed that its ridiculous that a car needs to go in for work because it only gets driven on short journeys. Imagine the uproar and rage if a customer had a GT3 that went into limp home mode every time it went on track. moonigan said:
kilarney said:
Unlikely its going to be a fix until replaced. Is the sensor the reason it clogged ie wasnt initiating a regen. When you take it in they probably manually initiate it. New DPF is likely. Short journeys kill them so theyre right about that.
New sensor fitted. Lets see how long it lasts. Chaps on the sales team agreed that its ridiculous that a car needs to go in for work because it only gets driven on short journeys. Imagine the uproar and rage if a customer had a GT3 that went into limp home mode every time it went on track. chriscoates81 said:
But there's nothing wrong with the car, you pick the wrong engine for short journeys. How many miles does your wife do?
20-50 miles per day. My wife has done the same job for over 15 years and during that time has had numerous diesels and has never once had issues. If the car isn't suitable for small journeys then this should have been pointed out when the sale was qualified. I'm guessing they were not fully aware of the issue then because if they had been the upsell to the GTS would have been easy.moonigan said:
20-50 miles per day.
Wouldn't call that a short journey. My commute is only 11 miles - that's short but even then, the Boxster has reached operating temperature in that time. To say that a car isn't suitable for 20-50 mile daily drives would be grounds for rejection as unfit for purpose, I'd say.A GT3 is petrol engined and doesn't produce soot as part of the combustion process, diesel does so to try and clean up the exhaust you have the DPF fitted.
As this is catching soot particles it will clog up hence the regeneration process to burn soot and clean the filter. As diesels take longer to warm up, short journeys just clog the DPF and the whole thing doesn't get warm enough to even think about triggering the regen process and you end up back at the dealer.
If you drive more miles than your wife then swap cars otherwise change it for a petrol one. I'd hate to think how much porsche will charge to supply and fit a new DPF as I think it very unlikely to be covered by warranty.
As this is catching soot particles it will clog up hence the regeneration process to burn soot and clean the filter. As diesels take longer to warm up, short journeys just clog the DPF and the whole thing doesn't get warm enough to even think about triggering the regen process and you end up back at the dealer.
If you drive more miles than your wife then swap cars otherwise change it for a petrol one. I'd hate to think how much porsche will charge to supply and fit a new DPF as I think it very unlikely to be covered by warranty.
My wife's Macan S Diesel has had the regenerate light come on about three times. She purchased the car new in June 2016 and has done 6,000 miles. She does shortish journeys of 5 to 8 miles depending which retail establishment she is aiming at that day! It does appear to be a problem of the diesel engine not being suited to the use it is given. I am surprised however that it is such a mismatch to cause this many issues.
As others have said it is probably not the right car for the use it is getting.
As others have said it is probably not the right car for the use it is getting.
garyhun said:
My BMW diesel averages around 20 miles a day. Most of those are just a 5-10 mins to the gym and the average made up by two weekly or monthly 2-3 hour motorway drives.
Never had a single dpf issue.
BMW went through the DPF learning curve a good few years ago. Rest assured other nasty problems are rearing their ugly heads with modern BMW diesels.....Never had a single dpf issue.
Lot's of other factors to consider other than just driving style : Correct coolant temps, faulty flow sensors/ pressure differential sensors, temp sensors etc etc.
And a quick note regarding the "correct" driving style required for DPF regeneration to take place. Plenty think the more throttle the better. Not so (on BMW's anyway) as regeneration won't take place at WOT, on the contrary, the regen process will actually be shut off. A gentle, consistent cruise up the motorway at 60-70mph for at least 20 minutes a week will ensure the regen process can take place.
But in all honesty I'm not convinced a modern diesel is particularly well suited to what the the OP's wife is using it for anyway.
Yep it may be more economical than the equivalent petrol around town, but anything less than 20k miles PA is a waste for modern diesel. I do circa 20-25k miles PA and I'm not 100% convinced my F30 330 D is the really the right car for the job. But I do a lot of motorway and cross country dashes and the massive low down torque makes for very relaxed and economical car. FWIW I've done over 300k miles in 6 pot BMW diesels without any DPF issues whatsoever. However I bought a low miles, FMDSH, 2006 330D last year, within two months it suffered "the most heavily clogged DPF we've ever seen" (quote my local BMW dealer) fortunately this was due to issues other than driving style, the repair was carried out under warranty, but would've been a lumpy £3-4k if I'd not warranted the car when I bought it.
With emissions getting tighter and tighter, manufacturers are struggling to meet the demands required for a modern diesel, in the process, those not using them "optimally" are finding their limitations. FYi, Vauxhall require you sign a disclaimer against any claims against them for clogged DPFs.....
Slippydiff said:
garyhun said:
My BMW diesel averages around 20 miles a day. Most of those are just a 5-10 mins to the gym and the average made up by two weekly or monthly 2-3 hour motorway drives.
Never had a single dpf issue.
BMW diesel stuff Never had a single dpf issue.
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 15th August 06:34
88racing said:
Wouldn't call that a short journey. My commute is only 11 miles - that's short but even then, the Boxster has reached operating temperature in that time. To say that a car isn't suitable for 20-50 mile daily drives would be grounds for rejection as unfit for purpose, I'd say.
Its 20-50 miles spread over 6-9 trips. She's a mobile Hairdresser.gottans said:
Could it be crap fuel? Is it fed on supermarket fuel, might be worth changing fuel brand to see if this impacts the issue.
Also is the mpg okay.
I have considered this and I'll certainly try using Shell. MPG is what I would expect for the type of driving. Late 20s.Also is the mpg okay.
chriscoates81 said:
I'm not convinced your wife does the miles to warrant a diesel over a petrol however what sort of roads is it she drives on? If it's inner city roads then I bet that's the problem.
You might also find that the previous cars you've had didn't have a dpf.
Its all urban driving. Stop/Start. I'd agree with you to a point and it was a close run thing when I ordered the car and ultimatley what swung it was the convenience of not having to fill up twice a week. Having come from a full electric car and not seeing the inside of a petrol station for two years to feeling like she was never out of the damn things it would have been me who got it in the neck. You might also find that the previous cars you've had didn't have a dpf.
That said if the car isnt suitable for our needs then this should have been pointed out when we ordered.
moonigan said:
That said if the car isnt suitable for our needs then this should have been pointed out when we ordered.
Apologies if this sounds a tad harsh, but you didn't do your due diligence, you relied on someone who's earning commission to give you accurate information, and you've used this forum, too little, to late.As for two visits a week to a petrol station to fuel a car seeming excessive......
Slippydiff said:
Apologies if this sounds a tad harsh, but you didn't do your due diligence, you relied on someone who's earning commission to give you accurate information, and you've used this forum, too little, to late.
As for two visits a week to a petrol station to fuel a car seeming excessive......
Especially if only 100 miles, must of been some supercarAs for two visits a week to a petrol station to fuel a car seeming excessive......
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