Hi guys, brand new here and joined as I'm considering buying a used Fabia II (2010 model with 120k miles) it's a 1.6 diesel
The description states that the DPF needs physically cleaning (I haven't heard of that) apparently the current owner say's that it's been to the garage but the dpf clean cycle didn't work, it is now in limp mode
The car is for my daughter who is a care worker and can't afford any huge bills, I have not heard of physically cleaning a DPF before, just using the clean cycle or replacing

 

So the question is do I run a mile away or do you think there's an easier way to deal with it?

 

Many thanks in advance
Terry

Well, I would find out if the DPF is really knackered by trying to take it for a REALLY good long drive. Typically a 30-40 mile drive with driving in a lower gear to keep the revs above 2000rpm (but below 3000rpm). Plenty of fast roads. If you bring it back and it is still not clearing the fault, then it is a new DPF. Typical cost will be about 500ukp plus labour.

 

 

The DPF cycle burns off soot, but not 100%   

Eventually the accumulation gets to a point, where the residual build up becomes too much (anything over about 80k miles depending on driving style, so 120k miles reasonable)

 

The garage can do a forced regen, but it is basically what car attempts to do anyway once warm.  It is manually triggering the start rather than actual  different cleaning process.

 

What you need is a ceremex cleaning (there are specialists that do this), not sure of cost, but once done should not be a problem again for say 30k miles (it will never clean up 100% to as new standard)

I suggest you try and google one in your area and get a quote and some advise from them, there are mobile companies that do this, but no idea how good they are

Edited 26 February, 20206 yr by SurreyJohn

OK thanks, I thought that whilst it was in limp mode it wouldn't be able to get up enough heat to burn off the DPF soot?
Though £500 plus labour makes it uneconomical I think

Is that other warning light on when the engine is running? The car is also saying that it is needing new glow plugs....an easy fix. You will only need to pay 30-50 pound for a set of glow plugs for a TDI. It is a easy job to replace.

Over rich fuel caused by failing glow plugs will cause a premature failure of the DFP.

7 minutes ago, varaderoguy said:

Is that other warning light on when the engine is running? The car is also saying that it is needing new glow plugs....an easy fix. You will only need to pay 30-50 pound for a set of glow plugs for a TDI. It is a easy job to replace.

Over rich fuel caused by failing glow plugs will cause a premature failure of the DFP.

I'd have to guess the engine is running as the rev counter looks like it is, maybe give this one a miss then

Do you mind me asking what your budget is (so maybe we can all look out for a car for you?)

My daughter has a £1200 budget, she also needs it to be sub £145 annual RFL, the Fab II 1.6 diesel is ideal as it's £20 per anum tax and cheap to run, oh yes an estate is much preffered

 

Thanks

Well, that might be a bit of a tall order unless you are willing to do some basic servicing on the vehicles:

 

Closest I can find is this: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202002227615628?make=SKODA&radius=1500&annual-tax-cars=TO_20&postcode=td145js&sort=relevance&advertising-location=at_cars&price-to=1500&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&body-type=Estate&page=1&modal=photos

 

Fabia 1.4TDI - 20 quid tax and an estate.  It has done 122k miles and all the warning lights look okay and it has a pile of paperwork (aka looks like a good servicing history).

 

It is going for £1495.  Maybe room for negociation??

Edited 26 February, 20206 yr by varaderoguy
updated information

1 hour ago, varaderoguy said:

Well, that might be a bit of a tall order unless you are willing to do some basic servicing on the vehicles:

 

Closest I can find is this: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202002227615628?make=SKODA&radius=1500&annual-tax-cars=TO_20&postcode=td145js&sort=relevance&advertising-location=at_cars&price-to=1500&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&body-type=Estate&page=1&modal=photos

 

Fabia 1.4TDI - 20 quid tax and an estate.  It has done 122k miles and all the warning lights look okay and it has a pile of paperwork (aka looks like a good servicing history).

 

It is going for £1495.  Maybe room for negociation??

Thanks

3 hours ago, SurreyJohn said:

The DPF cycle burns off soot, but not 100%   

Eventually the accumulation gets to a point, where the residual build up becomes too much (anything over about 80k miles depending on driving style, so 120k miles reasonable)

 

The garage can do a forced regen, but it is basically what car attempts to do anyway once warm.  It is manually triggering the start rather than actual  different cleaning process.

 

What you need is a ceremex cleaning (there are specialists that do this), not sure of cost, but once done should not be a problem again for say 30k miles (it will never clean up 100% to as new standard)

I suggest you try and google one in your area and get a quote and some advise from them, there are mobile companies that do this, but no idea how good they are

Not quite. As well as burning fuel, the engine will burn a very small amount of engine oil (crankcase ventilation and the small bit that blows past the seals on the turbo). Unlike diesel, the oil is not fully combustible and leaves a little ash behind on the DPF. The DPF can't burn off this ash during regen like it does the soot so over time there's a buildup of ash in the DPF, eventually leading to failure when it reaches its ash loading limit. This is why only certain engine oil specs can be used on DPF equipped cars: these oils have lower ash content than non-DPF approved oils and will help prolong the life of the DPF.

 

A forced regen will start once it's triggered, regardless of what the differential pressure sensors are reading out which is why it's a recommended step for a car with a DPF warning light showing. The car should be warm when the regen is set up though as it will start immediately.

 

3 hours ago, varaderoguy said:

Is that other warning light on when the engine is running? The car is also saying that it is needing new glow plugs....an easy fix. You will only need to pay 30-50 pound for a set of glow plugs for a TDI. It is a easy job to replace.

Over rich fuel caused by failing glow plugs will cause a premature failure of the DFP.

 

The glow plug light doubles as a check engine light on all TDI models: being lit doesn't necessarily mean that the glow plugs are knackered; it will come on for certain engine related faults where a diagnostic fault code is logged. Failing glow plugs also won't cause overfuelling, though it may generate some additional soot on very cold starts. There are tests that can be done to determine glow plug condition, and IIRC it will be logged as a diagnostic fault code on newer engines. Plugging in with a diagnostic tool would be a cheaper first step than buying four new glow plugs if they're not needed.

4 hours ago, TeeJayBee said:

do I run a mile away

This.

Sadly while on paper the VAG 1.6CR TDi looks a low cost option in reality any car fitted with one inevitably will not be.

 

For the car you are looking at cleaning the DPF may work for a while but there are other expensive parts.

 

Unless already replaced in the last couple of years the EGR is a big risk and £700 or so at an independant as 5 - 6 hours labour because so much has to be removed and refitted. Again unless done recently, and was it even done 5 years ago, cambelt replacement is due. The water pump should be changed too as if it fails all the dismantling has to be done again. That is £400.

The remainder of the exhaust could fail somewhere. The official solution is a complete system including DPF. Depending where the failure is an independant might be able to patch it up but a risk and even if successful how long before the next weakest point fails ?

 

The early 1.2 petrol engines from the same era have issues too plus are £145 RFL.

The later 1.2 petrol engines were much better and their introduction may coincide with the reduction in RFL to £20 / £30. However very unlikely you will find a car with this engine and no significant faults for even £1500.

 

While £145 RFL a pre-facelift car with the 1.9TDi could easily actually cost less to run based on much lower repair costs. EGR for example is accessible and much simpler hence replacement perhaps £150. The cambelt & water pump still need doing but if done to schedule you may find one with a couple of years before due and if your daughters mileage is not high perhaps risk for another year when realistically the car will be worth very little anyway.

 

Edited 26 February, 20206 yr by delta925

Thanks guys, your advice and information has been very helpfull