⚠️ DPF Light on and not regenerating? Get it diagnosed ASAP.
🚗 Here we have a Diagnostic Consultation on a Vauxhall Astra 2.0 CDTI with a DPF warning that has been on for a while.
🔎 Initial inspection found little of note visibly in the engine bay as the DPF is hidden behind a heat shield, but the owner mentioned black smoke when driving and also could smell an exhaust smell coming through the cabin vents – this could well indicate a leak.
💻 Initial diagnostics showed a code for DPF Regeneration frequency and a couple of other codes for parking sensors.
📊 The live data is where things got interesting.
🔸 Soot content was maxed out at 255/255.
🔸 Exhaust gas temperature sensors (which had been changed) showed high temperatures either side of the DPF also indicating a blockage.
🔸 Average distance between regeneration attempts showed 2.5 miles – it was constantly trying.
🔸 DPF differential pressure sensor showed 0kPa on idle and then did briefly rise to 1kPa when revved.
The reading from the differential pressure sensor was not in keeping with the data from the other 3. With no codes present for the sensor circuit or implausible value and with a slight change in value when revved then it looked like the sensor was fine.
❗ The above would on the face of it indicate a leak. With the owner having tried to get it to regenerate on numerous occasions with motorway driving at high revs it is likely to have sprung a leak from in and around the front of the DPF itself (or DPF pressure sensor pipe). This would also explain why there was a smell of exhaust fumes coming into the cabin when driven and the mismatch in pressure readings vs soot content.
👨🔧 Unfortunately this needs the DPF and associated pipework checks for splits/leaks as a first step before anything else.
☑️ Full live data Diagnostics
☑️ Which? Trusted Traders approved Engine Carbon Clean
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