C3 Picasso 1.6hdi MOT Emissions fail....

[sadssandiford]

Having done some investigation, I'm thinking of splitting the dpf/cat, taking the DPF off and giving it a clean! I take it the DPF is the lower part and looks to be relatively eaisly to drop out. Then using dpf cleaner and jet washing it!
Could a DPF cause this fault...?

[mickthemaverick]

My friend had similar issues on her 1.6HDi C4 Picasso and I removed the dpf, soaked it in brick acid for 90 minutes and then back flushed, forward flushed and back flushed again. Re-assembled and no trouble ever since. The only thing I would advise is to protect the radiator matrix while you are working. it is vulnerable to a slip, at least it was on the C4 Picasso!! The whole job cost her £12 for the brick acid and me £85 for a replacement radiator!!

[GiveMeABreak]

I would be very careful with pressure washing these as the fixing cement that holds the honeycombed filter in place can easily be broken if not careful.

I would use a proper DPF cleaner - Halfords even have 2 levels of DPF cleaning services these days - a light clean and a deep clean. Might be worth giving them a ring.

A Maintenance Clean is £35
A deep clean is £85

https://www.halfords.com/car-repairs/ad ... ntres.html

[RichardW]

Acid clean appears to be best



DPF cleaner is, er, not very good!!

[mickthemaverick]

Two useful videos there Richard. I certainly found that the acid bath, I actually carried out the job in an old baby bath, worked brilliantly. I also found using a large poly bag to collect the used liquid for disposal worked well for me. I actually used a vacuum seal bag meant for storing blankets etc. You must be sure to flush the unit fully until you have crystal clear water coming out, and as Marc says do not use the jet wash just a normal hose to fill each time. Lastly as Steve pointed out drying it out is necessary and I used the hot air gun on medium heat for 25 minutes or so.

[Paul-R]

Brick acid is hydrochloric acid.

I use some fairly concentrated stuff (23%) in France to adjust the pH in the swimming pool. You can buy the stuff in ordinary supermarkets over there and I have seen it in 1l, 5l and 10l plastic bottles/cans. I've even brought back a couple of 5l cans to the UK over the years, not sure if this will be permitted now so I'm conserving the use of them.

[Hell Razor5543]

A very long time ago I used to work making PCB circuit boards. The electro plating line used all sorts of chemicals, including 30% hydrochloric acid. Once it goes over 32% hydrochloric acid goes gaseous, so nasty stuff.

[mickthemaverick]

A very good point James. That is why I used brick acid which is an effective but safe concentration of hydrochloric acid making it readily available in Wickes or B&Q or similar, other retailers are available. Works fine with a decent soak!!

[sadssandiford]

Is the emission fail actually down to soot particles and therefor down to the DPF?
Only reason why I'm asking as the car has no dash fault light, starts 1st time, pulls like a train and averages about 55 to 60mpg!
I would have thought an emissions fail would mean some serious faults with dpf or am I missing something..?
Could the fail be anything other than dpf, as I can get a new dpf for £150 with new brackets, from Cats2U, so was thinking of just changing it!
Obviously don't want to do this if the emissions fail still exists....!
Is there any indications like dpf differential pressure that will say yeah or neah....!
I know I'm clutching at straws and thank you for all your assistance.

[GiveMeABreak]

There can be problems with the internals of the filter itself - if this has become damaged or cracked then it won't be working as it should and may fail.

The filters on these are usually checked at 100k miles for blockage and thereafter at every 12.5k intervals.

I would check your injectors seals and make sure these are torqued correctly, make sure the EGR valve isn't stuck (although it does have a self-checking mechanism), but in all honesty it may just be that your DPF is damaged and changing it may be the answer.

Have a read on this thread - a chap with a Ford 1.6 TDCI which is probably the same or similar variant of the engine - after all the ums and ahs and maybes, he just changed the DPF and problem was solved.

https://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/t ... /#comments

[osx]

If it was it would have to have been blanked for at least the last 5 years by the original owner. If you look back at the historical mot emissions, I can't see how they could be so low on some of the years tests...!

It is not fixed. It could have been removed each time.

[sadssandiford]

You misunderstand, I've owned the car for the shown MOTs! So I would have to fit n remove the blanking plate, which obviously I havent done....

[sadssandiford]

Just been in contact with Engine Carbon Management in Sleaford, LINCS. Explained the MOT fail and they said they'd seen this alot and give a money back gtee. They run a hydrogen based cleaned through the engine, takes about an hour, and guarantee that with no dash warning lights if it fails MOT on emissions after, they give a full refund! Costs £70. So I'm gonna try that and get back with results on Thur

[myglaren]

I worked with someone who was very much into cars and rallying who praised that.

[sadssandiford]

On my 2010 C3 Picasso, I take it any dpf fluid low or dpf problem will be indicated by the yellow engine warning light and service light illuminating...?