[deeebo8452]

Update:

I took the car up the M1 from Watford to Luton which is about a 20 mile stretch and back. I was doing a good 80mph + with revs above 3000 for the most part. People advised the temperature could be the issue in that the engine doesnt get hot enough to regen - I unlocked the on board computer in order to get coolant temp readings which was on average 90c whilst doing the run. At one point the temperature went up to about 96c for about 20 seconds - was this the regen? How do you even know if the regen has taken place? Is 90c hot enough for the regen to take ?

The DPF filter still remains on. When I start after leaving the car standing for a few hours the DPF light does not come on, however a couple miles into the journey it turns on. Do I need to take it for a longer drive? Or perhaps do I have to get the dpf codes cleared as the light is coming on in relation to the before issue?

If I continually drive the car with the light on, is this damaging the car? Can anyone recommend anyone or garages in London who could help with this DPF issue?

Any helps with suggested next steps would be appreciated.

[Pacman83]

Can the DPF be cleaned by driving in a low gear (say 60 mph in 3/4th) for 10 minutes or so? I remember that this clears a Catalytic converter with a petrol engine.

[makkan00]

Originally Posted by deeebo8452

Update:

I took the car up the M1 from Watford to Luton which is about a 20 mile stretch and back. I was doing a good 80mph + with revs above 3000 for the most part. People advised the temperature could be the issue in that the engine doesnt get hot enough to regen - I unlocked the on board computer in order to get coolant temp readings which was on average 90c whilst doing the run. At one point the temperature went up to about 96c for about 20 seconds - was this the regen? How do you even know if the regen has taken place? Is 90c hot enough for the regen to take ?

The DPF filter still remains on. When I start after leaving the car standing for a few hours the DPF light does not come on, however a couple miles into the journey it turns on. Do I need to take it for a longer drive? Or perhaps do I have to get the dpf codes cleared as the light is coming on in relation to the before issue?

If I continually drive the car with the light on, is this damaging the car? Can anyone recommend anyone or garages in London who could help with this DPF issue?

Any helps with suggested next steps would be appreciated.

Temperature is fine.
However you will not be able to regenerate till you clear that codes.
To clear those code, use BMWhat application, or inpa, DIS.

[dy63]

DPF light does not come on straight away. 5 or 10 minutes after car starts the error will arrive.

Clear the code first. get somebody to clear it for you and see if it comes back

Try and keep the revs at 2.5 in 6th gear if you go again

[xenon]

Why does it possibly matter what gear he's in? He just needs to keep the revs up; the gear is totally irrelevant other than in 6th he'll be speeding hugely.

[dy63]

Originally Posted by xenon

Why does it possibly matter what gear he's in? He just needs to keep the revs up; the gear is totally irrelevant other than in 6th he'll be speeding hugely.

i dont think it does. but 2.5 revs in gear 6 will probably only see the car at 80 anyway

[chriz1]

Originally Posted by deeebo8452

Update:

I took the car up the M1 from Watford to Luton which is about a 20 mile stretch and back. I was doing a good 80mph + with revs above 3000 for the most part. People advised the temperature could be the issue in that the engine doesnt get hot enough to regen - I unlocked the on board computer in order to get coolant temp readings which was on average 90c whilst doing the run. At one point the temperature went up to about 96c for about 20 seconds - was this the regen? How do you even know if the regen has taken place? Is 90c hot enough for the regen to take ?

The DPF filter still remains on. When I start after leaving the car standing for a few hours the DPF light does not come on, however a couple miles into the journey it turns on. Do I need to take it for a longer drive? Or perhaps do I have to get the dpf codes cleared as the light is coming on in relation to the before issue?

If I continually drive the car with the light on, is this damaging the car? Can anyone recommend anyone or garages in London who could help with this DPF issue?

Any helps with suggested next steps would be appreciated.

Did u miss my post ?

[deeebo8452]

Update:

So this morning drove towards my mates garage who was going to take a quick look at fault codes and advise. After 5 miles the DPF light came on as has been the case for the last 3 days.

When I got there i turned off engine. He plugged in his tester into OBD port and it didnt show any fault codes nevertheless he cleared everyrthing. When i turned car on there werent any DPF lights on. Took car for a good 20 mile ish motorway run and no dpf lights.

Now tbh i thought thats too good to be true. Drove a good 50miles throughout day in town no warning lights still. On my way home i noticed a sudden loss of power and engine sounded unusual. Revs would go up really slow to about 3000rpm but well slower than usual. So decided to jump on the M1 and did junction 1 to 5 and back down. Did a good 85mph in 5th gear revs just under 3000rpm and at times really put my foot down to 120mph in 5th at about 5000rpm. The loss of power happened once or twice but first time lasted a good minute. Amlnd engine did sound quite ragged whilst also a distinct hissing aftersound in the turbo but didnt sound like normal turbo. Furthermore dont know if relevant but since the dpf light came on 3 days ago when going above 70mph theres a rattling sound from passengers dashboard heater fan. Is this anywhere near where dpf is located?

Bearing in mind DPF light has not come on, was the underperformance, hissing turbo, ragged engine noise the DPF finally regenerating i.e. a good thing? Or is it something more worrying?

Any feedback much appreciated as always

[makkan00]

Sounds like it has regenerated.
I would not blast it when its regenerating.

[deeebo8452]

I hope thats case however there is still a hissing noise in the turbo but the power was okay on a quick 5 mins drive. I still dont understand the rattle noise coming from passenger air vent when going fast above 60mph :/

[Ess]

Originally Posted by deeebo8452

Thanks xenon - generally speaking what revs is ideal? Higher revs the better e.g. 3k+?

Also is there any way to know when the regen is happening?

I am not an expert, but my understanding is that the speed and revs are not something you can manipulate to force a regen to happen. When the conditions are right, the computer will trigger the regen and if required, will drop a gear. I've done over 15k miles since owning my car and have never been able to "trigger" a regen. It just happens by itself when required.

If I am not mistaken, if your car has thrown fault code 480A, this will prevent any further regenerations until the fault is cleared. I don't understand why this happens, but it has been mentioned several times on this forum.

On my car and in my experience, it is impossible to tell that the regen is happening. You can use software connected to the OBD port which will tell you how much soot there is in the particle filter and how long it was since the last regeneration. One such tool is the smartphone app BMWhat.

My local indy charges £10 to scan (and clear) fault codes, they donate the money to charity. I strongly recommend this as a first course of action as you will then know exactly what's wrong.

Good luck!

Edit: hadn't seen your update, oh well. At least the light isn't coming back!

[deeebo8452]

This morning whilst on the commute to work I felt another loss of power whilst driving. Mostly happens when in second/third gear whereby the car struggles to gain speed as quick as usual after about 1500 revs. The DPF light is no longer on however this loss of power happened a couple of times then went back to normal, also heard an unusual hissing after sound in the turbo.

Any ideas? Is this the DPF cleaning itself, hence the loss of power?

There is also a rattling sound that comes from the passenger air vent heater area when driving above 60mph - any ideas what this could be and if linked?

So confused right about now I hate cars

[chrisbmwcy]

Dpf needs to be taken off, cleaned, and put back on.

Its common sense at that milage.

I did the same on my car when it reached 85k miles.

Now it has 151k miles and light came on.
Need to be redone now

[frodmyster]

Sorry to bump a thread from so long back but did you ever sort this? My light has just come on and I'm getting the noise from the passenger side Heater

[rasa bmw]

you will have to see if your car k=meets all parameters to start a regen,,start with coolent temp,,also glow plug errors will refuse a regen,,,new stats if coolant aing getting above 90 degrees and glow plug module and plugs if errors are stopping regen...dont bother getting it cleaned until these have been sorted,,unless you like wasting money like,then just fill ya boots if you do.ps bmw for stats or wasting money comes into effect again

[hp88]

Originally Posted by frodmyster

Sorry to bump a thread from so long back but did you ever sort this? My light has just come on and I'm getting the noise from the passenger side Heater

Get your codes read before you start replacing parts, I had 452A and 4D4A which were triggered automatically after a certain millage, mine was 160K. Someone with AutoLogic can clear this for you by registering a new DPF.

I had my Thermostat and Glow Plug control unit changed as well, Thermostat didn't need doing but I have over a 100K on the car and there was no record of this being changed in the past.

Glow Plug control unit was shot, you might see 4A74 or 4A79 for this, but the most obvious sign is a rough idle when you start the car and cloud of white smoke.

Also as Rasa said go with the dealer parts on this to save your self from doing the job twice, Thermostat was £80 and the control unit was £120. I don't think your saving much with the like of ECP or eBay.

[Bluewater335D]

Check the part number etc., but if I am correct the BMW Glow Plug Controller is a Beru unit which is used on many cars - the Controller for the 4cy diesel has a different part number to the 6cy.
You should be able to get a Beru Controller, (OEM replacement) and 4 Bosch glow plugs, or Beru Glow plugs for well under £100.

Agree that you need to use OEM replacement parts - but the BMW Glow plug Controller is a Beru Unit and has the Beru name on it

I know the 6cy unit is Beru GSE102

I think the 4cy unit is Beru GSE101 - BUT CHECK

[frodmyster]

Has anyone got an item number to the cable and disk I need to get please? My light comes on after 20 miles or so. I've tried dpf cleaner in with my diesel, I've checked temps and am getting upto 92 degrees. Even on a long motorway run its just not regenning. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I've got a 2010 320d e91 tourer

Originally Posted by dy63

cable can get from many places like ebay uk sellers etc with discs with just 1 click install etc

think there about £40 with cable and disk on ebay.

and yup goes into OBD port

Buying one yourself will help you in future if any other problems arise. well worth the money and loads of DIY's here how to use the programs

[frodmyster]

[frodmyster]

[frodmyster]

[frodmyster]