Maybe as a first stage, add 50% extra dipetane now as it seemed to shift something *but* ongoing if the short journeys continue, you'll have to do a 20/25 mile spin at motorway speeds every week or 10 days. I do short journeys in my 2 litre diesel, but it gets a chance to spread its wings regularly (Toyota who no longer make diesel engines, they buy from BMW)
Exhaust Sensor Light /NCT
- Thread starter guido
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RichInSpirit
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I'm now switched back to diesel myself, much older car though. My mechanic has a diesel too and he is using dipetane continuously in his car, much newer than mine. He reckons it runs better using the dipetane. He mostly does short journeys himself.
There are specialised DPF cleaning products available too.
And garages who specialise in cleaning them. I don't know any myself but they are there. Also make sure oil and all filters including air are getting changed regularly.
There are specialised DPF cleaning products available too.
And garages who specialise in cleaning them. I don't know any myself but they are there. Also make sure oil and all filters including air are getting changed regularly.
guido - maybe it's time for a full dignostics? I know it's expensive, but without it, you could be replacing things that may not be needed. Where are you based - maybe someone could recommend a place (not main dealer garage, but authorised Mini mechanic).
Something similar happened to my own car few months back - but, unlike you, I did notice an issue with the car at the time, wasn't responding as normal. I went through the initial diagnostics, mechanic cleared the reading, told me how to drive to burn off the deposits. All good for a few weeks (I also used dipetane during that time), but light did come back on. Every time I went to switch on the engine, I was thinking "will the light stay on" - bloody annoying. Anyway, full diagnostics was then run & I booked in for the work to be done. Thankfully, resolved the issue for me.
Something similar happened to my own car few months back - but, unlike you, I did notice an issue with the car at the time, wasn't responding as normal. I went through the initial diagnostics, mechanic cleared the reading, told me how to drive to burn off the deposits. All good for a few weeks (I also used dipetane during that time), but light did come back on. Every time I went to switch on the engine, I was thinking "will the light stay on" - bloody annoying. Anyway, full diagnostics was then run & I booked in for the work to be done. Thankfully, resolved the issue for me.
And there was me thinking, whilst reading your post, you would tell us exactly what was the issue?
Thanks Jazz01, yes I am keeping that in mind - the light went back off this morning! The car is driving fine otherwise - no issues whatsoever- except for the light - if it remains I will have no other choice but to get the diagnostics done - I live in Dublin 15 - thanks - what was the issue with you car in the end? Thanks again
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Needed to get the info from my service records - as per the invoice at the time : "Diagnostic reported faults regarding DPF Sensor/System"
What was done: "Removed & replaced DPF Sensor, replaced modified wiring connector"
Parts were: "Pressure Sensor" and "DPF Pres/Sensor wiring kit"
Thanks for the info - I will continue to monitor but may have to bring mine in if the fault persists - thanks again
It is - I completely related to you saying about the light coming on - spend you life waiting to see if it will re-emerge! Thanks for your help
Hello, well just a quick update and maybe some more advice? I tried the Dipetane and it worked temporarily - in fact at one stage, the light stayed off for 3 days! I am now in a situation where I have a constant light - checked with another mechanic and the error is now coming from the EGR Valve - which I need to replace (and if the light remains on after that, either professionally clean or replace the DPF, as the mechanic reckons the DPF will be fairly sooty at this stage!) It's all getting costly for an aging car - So the replacement and clean would be 700 Euro approx. (500 for the replacement valve /fitted & 200 for the DPF clean) and then if I do need the replacement DPF, 1K + at least. My other option apparently is to bypass the EGR - has anyone done this and what are the "gotchas". To be honest, I am now thinking in the short term of replacing the car - after it goes through the NCT, and if I bypass the EGR - is this an issue for resale / and are there any other gotchas - Thanks for all the help - Dying to get this all sorted now! cheers
Fair play to you for coming back and telling us what was done. My query on all the above would be to ask if these sensors are too blooming sensitive and if just left alone , would it have any detrimental effect on the car at all? Most of us fellas know when there's a problem, or maybe i'm kidding myself in thinking that?
Its all in the (user)name
€500 is a bit rich for swapping out the EGR valve as they can be sourced new for €150 or less and IMHO €350 for labour is OTT.
Unfortunately for you they are well known for early failure within many BMW power units, along with DPF's.
Blanking or re-mapping the ECU to ignore the EGR is common place, but not recommended for obvious environmental reasons, and is strictly not approved by BMW.
Unfortunately for you they are well known for early failure within many BMW power units, along with DPF's.
Blanking or re-mapping the ECU to ignore the EGR is common place, but not recommended for obvious environmental reasons, and is strictly not approved by BMW.
Thanks for that Sparkrite - I checked with BMW and the price of the valve alone is 285 so essentially 200 for labour which is what I expected - thanks for your help - wasn’t sure how common place the remapping was and if it would affect resale? Thanks again
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It can be sourced for half that price.
Before we all go green around the gills about EGR valves and suchlike, I hope you don't mind if I explain what it does in an engine.
The Exhaust Gas Recirculation valve, feeds exhaust gas back into the engine for the next ignition cycle, in the belief that reigniting unburnt carbon gases is good for us all, including Clarkson's famous polar bears and butterflies. Having blanked out (deleted) my share of EGR valves, I hold the contrarian view because EGRs demonstrably *increase* fuel consumption and cause engines to underperform - you get less bang for your buck of fuel.
If governments and oil companies were serious about "cleaning up" diesel as an automotive fuel, they'd insist that diesel-engined vehicles are factory fitted and programmed to operate on a combination of diesel (from fossil and vegetable sources) plus water and methanol injected into the piston chambers at ignition time. But as there's little or no tax revenue to be gained by having DERVs burn water and or methanol the stupid investments continue in technologies that don't work, e.g. DPFs and EGRs.
My 2p worth - blank the EGR and programme it out of the ECU. Oh and you'll probably find that your diesel engined car is fitted with a catalytic converter -sell it, as it does nothing only store additional particulate matter to clog the DPF.
The Exhaust Gas Recirculation valve, feeds exhaust gas back into the engine for the next ignition cycle, in the belief that reigniting unburnt carbon gases is good for us all, including Clarkson's famous polar bears and butterflies. Having blanked out (deleted) my share of EGR valves, I hold the contrarian view because EGRs demonstrably *increase* fuel consumption and cause engines to underperform - you get less bang for your buck of fuel.
If governments and oil companies were serious about "cleaning up" diesel as an automotive fuel, they'd insist that diesel-engined vehicles are factory fitted and programmed to operate on a combination of diesel (from fossil and vegetable sources) plus water and methanol injected into the piston chambers at ignition time. But as there's little or no tax revenue to be gained by having DERVs burn water and or methanol the stupid investments continue in technologies that don't work, e.g. DPFs and EGRs.
My 2p worth - blank the EGR and programme it out of the ECU. Oh and you'll probably find that your diesel engined car is fitted with a catalytic converter -sell it, as it does nothing only store additional particulate matter to clog the DPF.
Thanks Mathepac - yes looking for direction from others experiences - I hear the NCT is not a problem either - also have you ever sold a car that had the remapping done? Thanks again
RichInSpirit
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Maybe another cheaper workaround that might work to get you past the NCT.
I've a check engine light on in my car (heater plugs).
I bought a cheap wireless OBD2 adaptor a few weeks ago for €20 to be able to check stuff for myself. And downloaded a free android app for my phone. I was able to delete the stored codes generating the check engine light and the light stayed off for 2 or 3 days.
I'll get around to replacing the plugs at the next service.
As far as I can gather the check engine light doesn't show until the same code registers on the ECU a few times.
It would be worth a try at least.
I've a check engine light on in my car (heater plugs).
I bought a cheap wireless OBD2 adaptor a few weeks ago for €20 to be able to check stuff for myself. And downloaded a free android app for my phone. I was able to delete the stored codes generating the check engine light and the light stayed off for 2 or 3 days.
I'll get around to replacing the plugs at the next service.
As far as I can gather the check engine light doesn't show until the same code registers on the ECU a few times.
It would be worth a try at least.
RichInSpirit
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Also had a semi permanent check engine light on my previous car which was petrol and I was told that it oxygen sensors. And not worry about it. It would come on for weeks or months at a time and then go off again for long periods. But miraculously it stayed off for all NCT's without any intervention.