[paul1984]

Hello all,

I’ve had an issue with the DPF light on our E91 2012 BMW. The light had been on for some time my wife has now let slip, we have had it into the local specialist who diagnosed a faulty EFR valve flap and clogged EGR cooler (£800). Those have both been replaced and now the engine runs at the right temperature. The back pressure readings have dropped considerably but not enough to stop the warning light and fault codes coming back.

The garage now say that now a new DPF is the only option.

The light comes back on before I can get the car onto a motorway to complete a forced regen. I read serveral posts on here, mainly some, what I hope, is good advice here:

here's what I've learned:
• Fault code 480A is caused by increased backpressure at DPF. Once this fault is logged, the DPF will NOT attempt regenerate. It will also abort any regen currently ongoing.
Fault code 481A is caused by significantly increased backpressure. Once this is logged, the iDrive or OBC will log "Particle Filter! Possible to continue journey..." This will reappear within 10 minutes of engine being switched on, provided 481A is present.

Here's what I did, this morning.
1 Drove for 20 minutes at a normal pace, to warm the engine to >75'C
◦ "Particle Filter!" warning appeared.
2 On a quiet A-road, I began driving at a steady 40mph (cruise control set)
3 Read fault codes;
◦ 480A, 481A present.
4 Cleared codes
◦ 480A appeared within 10 seconds.
5 Cleared codes
◦ MPG dropped from 50 to 30 immediately.
◦ 480A appeared within 20 seconds
◦ MPG returned to 50MPG immediately.
6 Cleared codes
◦ MPG dropped from 50 to 30 immediately.
◦ 480A appeared within 40 seconds
◦ MPG returned to 50MPG immediately.
7 Cleared codes
◦ MPG dropped from 50 to 30 immediately.
◦ 480A did not reappear
◦ After 15 minutes, MPG returned to 50+

I drove for another 30 miles, and 480A did not appear. Fuel consumption has gone from an average of 35-40mpg (displayed on iDrive) to 54mpg.


So to the point; I wish to try the above and clear the codes while driving and see if that works? As my DPF, according to the garage, is only slightly over the tolerances.

Is there a recommended way to do this; via an app and WiFi ODB or a laptop?