Diesel Particulate Filter - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

nyko46 · #1 01-21-2020, 07:50 PM

Hello Bluetec owners:
Not long ago I posted a question in "How to know if my Bluetec need a particulate filter clean up".
As my 2008 MB E320 Bluetec does not use the DEF fluid I received many replies that this car is designed to clean the filter automatically.
Also according to the MB owner manual, when the sensors detect a blockage in the exhaust system, the engine will burn an extra fuel, like burning rich, and will clean the filter. Car has now: 117500 K miles
Today a check engine light came on and I had it scanned and got a code P242F which means: "Diesel Particulate Filter Restriction - Ash Accumulation"
If the car design is to clean filter automatically, why then I am getting this code?
I also got the code: P0402 - "Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Excessive Detected."
Is there anything associated between the two codes?
The car is not going faster than 65 MPH even pressing the accelerator to the bottom.
Is there any DIY for these issues?
Thanks

pawoSD · #2 01-21-2020, 08:22 PM

At those miles its likely it may need the DPF cleaned. It can be removed and cleaned by various facilities.

It does clean itself on an ongoing basis, but once enough ash has accumulated inside it has to be physically cleaned or replaced.

With that engine if you remove the DPF you can likely take it to a truck (as in Semi) dealer or a Mercedes Sprinter Dealer and they will likely be able to clean it for you. On occasion the filter won't be cleanable, and you'll have to buy a new one. $$$

engatwork · #3 01-21-2020, 08:32 PM

What paw said. Just out of curiosity does it use oil between oil changes?

nyko46 · #4 01-21-2020, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by engatwork

What paw said. Just out of curiosity does it use oil between oil changes?

No oil between oil changes.
Engine oil level is always the same. Engine runs strong and no burning oil.

pawoSD · #5 01-22-2020, 12:43 AM

Does it get good long (20+ miles) drives at freeway speeds at least a couple times every 600-800 miles? If yes then its probably just due for cleaning....or it could be a sensor issue.

SkippyJasper · #6 01-22-2020, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyko46

Hello Bluetec owners:
Not long ago I posted a question in "How to know if my Bluetec need a particulate filter clean up".
As my 2008 MB E320 Bluetec does not use the DEF fluid I received many replies that this car is designed to clean the filter automatically.
Also according to the MB owner manual, when the sensors detect a blockage in the exhaust system, the engine will burn an extra fuel, like burning rich, and will clean the filter. Car has now: 117500 K miles
Today a check engine light came on and I had it scanned and got a code P242F which means: "Diesel Particulate Filter Restriction - Ash Accumulation"
If the car design is to clean filter automatically, why then I am getting this code?
I also got the code: P0402 - "Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Excessive Detected."
Is there anything associated between the two codes?
The car is not going faster than 65 MPH even pressing the accelerator to the bottom.
Is there any DIY for these issues?
Thanks

The P0402 may be the culprit. It is saying the EGR valve is stuck open. This would affect engine performance AND cause a too rich condition that is loading the DPF.

Reply to the question on daily and long drives.

Search for EGR valves to glean additional thoughts.

Skippy

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

barry12345 · #7 01-22-2020, 12:37 PM

Diesel particle filters add a new dimension to owning a diesel. Not a great one unfortunately. You have to expect issues with them will arise.

We only purchased a car with one as the wife will use the car on 90 percent or more highway driving. I hope this aids self cleaning and slower ash buildup.

When these engines start to consume base engine oil the car has to go or the particle filter has to be eliminated I expect.

Or if used like I use my own car I would not own a car with one. The warranty on the wifes car has been well engineered. Just before the DPF check is due the warranty stops.

So I will take the car in for a percentage ash retention test just before that millage. While still under warranty. Most Volkswagons will need a replacement at 120,000 miles. If they do not giving it a recheck is needed every twenty thousand miles after the first.

nyko46 · #8 01-22-2020, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Does it get good long (20+ miles) drives at freeway speeds at least a couple times every 600-800 miles? If yes then its probably just due for cleaning....or it could be a sensor issue.

About a "good long drive" I drive this car as my commute to and from work everyday. This commute is 27 miles each way totaling 54 miles daily.
This commute is 6 miles city and 21 miles highway twice a day. At highway the speed is around 70 MPH
I don't know how accurate this codes are because the car was scanned at my local Autozone and I double checked at Oreillys. Both found the same codes.
Around one year ago the same car had an issue of not getting acceleration even when accelerator pressed to the bottom. The tachometer was reaching the maximum of 2100 RPM and the speed goes only at 65 mph. One European shop repair found a defective electric throttle stuck closed. This throttle has an electric motor and this motor got bad and caused this problem. Now the car is again reaching the maximum of 2100 RPM. Can DEF cause this kind of problem?
After this part replaced the car ran good again. Even my transmission worked better after that .
My question about the DEF is because the scanner found this code but personally I don't know the symptoms of the DEF restriction.
Thanks for your reply.

SkippyJasper · #9 01-22-2020, 10:03 PM

Your driving distances sound good for normal DPF function.

Are you driving with the ‘check engine’ light illuminated in your dash?

An explanation of why the DPF can affect the engine is that it collects the unburned particles of combustion and holds them until a regeneration sequence is initiated. During that sequence extra fuel is introduced into the exhaust that incinerates the collected soot.
This occurs every 200-500 miles and is dependent on a number of factors. The Mercedes brand makes these regenerations invisible to the driver. Other manufacturers often employ a signal on the dash and encourage their owners to drive an additional time to allow the process to complete.
If your car cannot perform the regenerations the DPF will fill with soot and prevent exhaust flow.

It’s important to uncover the cause relating to your symptoms.

If you can only bring the engine to 2,100 rpms it is in limp mode. Must be slower than molasses in January.

Your Autozone/Orielly scans suggest the EGR is not functioning correctly. Time to A) go to an MB dealer or, B) find a trusted independent shop that works on the MB brand.

The EGR is upstream of the DPF. Hopefully correcting the EGR code will allow a successful regeneration to occur on the DPF.

YMMV

Skippy

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

pawoSD · #10 01-23-2020, 12:05 AM

You might get lucky and just have an EGR issue that fixing + a forced regeneration might resolve....if not the DFP will need servicing. Are you also using an ESP/low ash correct oil in the vehicle?

Diesel911 · #11 01-23-2020, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyko46

Hello Bluetec owners:
Not long ago I posted a question in "How to know if my Bluetec need a particulate filter clean up".
As my 2008 MB E320 Bluetec does not use the DEF fluid I received many replies that this car is designed to clean the filter automatically.
Also according to the MB owner manual, when the sensors detect a blockage in the exhaust system, the engine will burn an extra fuel, like burning rich, and will clean the filter. Car has now: 117500 K miles
Today a check engine light came on and I had it scanned and got a code P242F which means: "Diesel Particulate Filter Restriction - Ash Accumulation"
If the car design is to clean filter automatically, why then I am getting this code?
I also got the code: P0402 - "Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Excessive Detected."
Is there anything associated between the two codes?
The car is not going faster than 65 MPH even pressing the accelerator to the bottom.
Is there any DIY for these issues?
Thanks

If your exhaust system is restricted that would raise the pressure inside of the exhaust gas pressure and could cause a greater exhaust gas flow when the EGR is opened.
You will know if that was they case if you leave the EGR alone and get the Particulate Filter cleaned or replaced.

jay_bob · #12 01-24-2020, 07:52 AM

Fortunately it is easy to remove the DPF on a OM642 W211 for cleaning or replacement (no you can't bypass it)

I had to do this to replace the engine and transmission mounts last weekend. (Best thing you can do to an old one of these, you can't even tell it's running at a red light now)

First there are 3 sensors on the DPF. Trace out the wires and unplug the connectors. The sensor at the tail end of the DPF is tucked in by the transmission. The other two connectors are closer to the front above the steering rack. You'll have to clip a zip tie.

From the top remove the band clamp between the turbo outlet pipe and the DPF.
On the bottom remove the band clamp between the DPF outlet and the exhaust pipe.
Take loose the bracket holding the exhaust pipe to the body (2 nuts) about 6 inches past the clamp.
Now there is one more nut holding the bottom of the DPF to the bracket. Now you can wiggle the filter out from the bottom.

There is a Liqui Moly cleaning fluid that can be used. I remember seeing a post from Roll Guy about a year ago.

When you go to put it back together be careful not to stress the sensors particularly the one in the center of the body of the DPF. I ended up using a floor jack to help hold the thing up while getting it in position. Then used the jack to hold up the exhaust pipe while getting everything together. If you have someone helping you that can guide the DPF back into the turbo outlet pipe from above, while you're underneath, that would make it much easier.

ROLLGUY · #13 01-26-2020, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay_bob

Fortunately it is easy to remove the DPF on a OM642 W211 for cleaning or replacement (no you can't bypass it)

I had to do this to replace the engine and transmission mounts last weekend. (Best thing you can do to an old one of these, you can't even tell it's running at a red light now)

First there are 3 sensors on the DPF. Trace out the wires and unplug the connectors. The sensor at the tail end of the DPF is tucked in by the transmission. The other two connectors are closer to the front above the steering rack. You'll have to clip a zip tie.

From the top remove the band clamp between the turbo outlet pipe and the DPF.
On the bottom remove the band clamp between the DPF outlet and the exhaust pipe.
Take loose the bracket holding the exhaust pipe to the body (2 nuts) about 6 inches past the clamp.
Now there is one more nut holding the bottom of the DPF to the bracket. Now you can wiggle the filter out from the bottom.

There is a Liqui Moly cleaning fluid that can be used. I remember seeing a post from Roll Guy about a year ago.

When you go to put it back together be careful not to stress the sensors particularly the one in the center of the body of the DPF. I ended up using a floor jack to help hold the thing up while getting it in position. Then used the jack to hold up the exhaust pipe while getting everything together. If you have someone helping you that can guide the DPF back into the turbo outlet pipe from above, while you're underneath, that would make it much easier.

Yes, I successfully cleaned the DPF on a 2009 R320 using the Liqui Moly DPF cleaning fluid from our sponsor and a pressure washer. It was fairly easy, and not at all expensive like commercial DPF cleaning services.

nyko46 · #14 02-03-2020, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

Yes, I successfully cleaned the DPF on a 2009 R320 using the Liqui Moly DPF cleaning fluid from our sponsor and a pressure washer. It was fairly easy, and not at all expensive like commercial DPF cleaning services.

About my issue with my DPF, according to MB it was supposed to have an automatic regeneration when DPF is dirt. I asked a Diesel mechanic why it did not happened and his answer was "I don't know".
Is there any possible cause why the regeneration did not happened?
This diesel mechanic tried for three times to clean the DPF but, he said, unsuccessful. He said that the car is running a little better but not as supposed to run.
Any idea about regeneration?

tdoublenastywitit · #15 02-03-2020, 09:47 PM

I have a somewhat off topic question. But do all of the 2007 and 2008 e320 bluetecs not use def fluid? I was under the impression they all did after 2006.