Noodles Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 We started up the motorhome the other w/end and noticed that the engine management light wouldn't go out. Took it over to our local Fiat dealer who diagnosed a partially blocked exhaust filter. Although the motorhome is taken on relatively long journeys so we assumed it was getting hot enough travelling at speeds of 60+ mph but apparently it needs driving harder in order for it to get even hotter. We have put some fuel system cleaner in the fuel tank which apparently should help. If nothing works then we're going to have to take it back to the dealer for them to partially block off the exhaust and then to run it to get it really hot. Has anyone else encountered this problem with a Euro 5 engine? :-S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muswell Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 My engine is not Euro V but I quite often run the van and the car quite hard through the gears to give everything a good workout. 60 ish is only a couple of thousand rpm and if you change up at low revs for economy nothing gets properly used. My father once remarked how much better his car went after I had driven it :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wallynnette Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 Yes, ours is a Peugeot and it kept happening. After the 2nd time I bought a code reader so I could drive it as the garage said it was clogged but couldn't find evidence of it. Eventually after half dozen times they changed one of the sensors which was causing the problem. Been absolutely fine since, touch wood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noodles Posted May 6, 2014 Author Share Posted May 6, 2014 Update Today we contacted our local Fiat dealer who has now said that we need have the oil and filter changed again (last done 10 days ago) and for the Particular Filter cleaned all at a cost of £350. What a rip off. Fiat customer Services are about as helpful as a chocolate teapot. Wished we'd never bought a Fiat-based motorhome. My advice keep well clear ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliveH Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 I rather hoped things had improved - we bought a Fiat Tipo car as a run around years ago - absolute bloody nightmare. Fiat has always been suspect for me ever since. I have to say - this prejudice of mine would extend to a MH as well. :-S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankkia Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 We are in Portugal at the moment and a couple of weeks back we got the "Check Engine" light on. The following day the engine started ok then drove with drastically reduced power. We drove along the motorway to Faro and called in at the Fiat dealers there. The mechanic said there is condensation in the exhaust filter and it must be run hard to clear it. He then put a stick between the steering wheel and the gas pedal and ran it at full welly for about 10 mins - job done but the light came back on again so he checked it again on the computer and said that the filter was now ok but the sensor was duff. (a small plastic part - must have cost all of 50 p to make). Replaced sensor (free) and all is now fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broc Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 The diesel particulate filter is a feature of many Euro V engines, not just Fiat. They are all prone to becoming clogged and need 'regeneration' periodically to clear them. Sadly, if you search on the Internet for DPF problems & almost any vehicle brand you will understand the size of the problem facing motorists. I had DPF problems more than 4 years ago with a Nissan X-Trail, I replaced the X-Trail with a petrol engine car & in 2011 we bought a Euro IV based van to specifically avoid Euro V. This link to the AA explains how DPF work http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/fuels-and-environment/diesel-particulate-filters.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the general Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 Again doubts and thoughts about fiats . I have had a 11 plate transit from new done 69k regular service etc ok seen sludge in oil filler neck but no problems with the DPF. Been researching for a year into buying a PVC and was just about convinced that fiats/sevel would have to do ( as I have always had transits) then I read this am I back to square one ! You got to have faith in your base vehicle if you are going to do a lot of miles. Fiat give me confindence please ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve928 Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 I don't think that the DPF installation in the X2/50 is a particularly good one: the filter is too far from the engine (in heat loss terms) plus it is in the cool airflow under the vehicle. As the AA article says, the best location is close-coupled directly to the exhaust manifold so it's a shame that the designers couldn't manage that in what is quite a spacious engine compartment. By way of illustration, the VAG 2.0 TDI fitted to so many of the group's cars is known to give almost zero problems in Audis and some Seats where the longitudinal engine allows the filter to be fitted alongside the engine right up in the hot engine bay, but is far more problematic in the tranverse engine models where it has to mounted at the end of a downpipe similar to the X2/50 layout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broc Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 I don't know if the Peugeot X/250 variants with the PSA/Ford Puma engine have a different layout as far as DPF location is concerned? It will be interesting to see what happens with Euro VI regulations (Jan 2015) which are targeting a major reduction in nitrous oxides because they are a significant greenhouse gas and air pollutant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter64 Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 sounds like the same problem I had, Longlife exhaust, Caerphilly sorted it for me. I had blocked cat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallii Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 The DPF on my Ford 2.2 is right up near the manifold. It gets hot and I have had no problems. I heard third hand of a garage that "regenerated" someone's filter by shoving a propane torch up the thing (off the car) and heating it up that way. I believe it worked! H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brambles Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 peter64 - 2014-06-04 11:30 PM sounds like the same problem I had, Longlife exhaust, Caerphilly sorted it for me. I had blocked cat Are you related to the company in any way? I think you are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billggski Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 The "Itaian tune-up" used to be a feature of giving old cars a thrashing when carbon deposits built up on the valves. DPFs in all makes of vehicle have caused problems, they are a stop gap solution to meeting emission regulations. Newer designs, as mentioned, move it much closer to the engine to generate the heat needed to burn off the particulates. You still see black smoke coming from older diesels when they accelerate. My car injects diesel into the DPF to burn them off, some small cars have an additive that needs topping up. It's not just a FIAT problem, but sensors tend to cause more problems than actual DPFs. But one tip is not to use main dealers, they charge top prices and tend to know less than good independent specialists. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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