Advice on diesel particulate filter and glow plugs
My parents purchased a Citroen C3 Picasso 1.6 HDi (DV6D) Exclusive back in September 2014 based on your review of the vehicle. My parents love the car however I have two questions to ask in regards to the vehicle.
1) The car is fitted with a diesel particulate filter however I would like to know if PSA vehicles are still equipped with the diesel additive. I know Ford no longer use the additive and I'm wondering if Citroen have removed it too. I understand their new SCR system on the BlueHDi uses additives, but there is no mention of the 'normal' HDi models still using it.
2) I know diesels are fitted with glow-plugs and with our previous car, a Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi (DV6C) MK3, the glow plugs used to illuminate without fail every-time the vehicle was started from cold. However, the c3 picasso is different, the glow plug lamp has never illuminated even on cold mornings since new. The car starts fine but it seems strange considering the Focus and the Picasso share the same engine block. I'm wondering if the Citroen does not require the glow plugs to work except for the harshest winters.
1) The car is fitted with a diesel particulate filter however I would like to know if PSA vehicles are still equipped with the diesel additive. I know Ford no longer use the additive and I'm wondering if Citroen have removed it too. I understand their new SCR system on the BlueHDi uses additives, but there is no mention of the 'normal' HDi models still using it.
2) I know diesels are fitted with glow-plugs and with our previous car, a Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi (DV6C) MK3, the glow plugs used to illuminate without fail every-time the vehicle was started from cold. However, the c3 picasso is different, the glow plug lamp has never illuminated even on cold mornings since new. The car starts fine but it seems strange considering the Focus and the Picasso share the same engine block. I'm wondering if the Citroen does not require the glow plugs to work except for the harshest winters.
Asked on 30 November 2014 by Matty K
Answered by
Honest John
To achieve EU6, the latest PSA cars use the SCR 'Add Blue' additive system, rather than Eolys. But I cannot tell you when older models such as the C3 Picasso switched over, or whether they have yet switched over.
You are right. Ford switched from Eolys regenerated DPFs to simpler, cheaper 'coated' DPFs. These days, glowplugs heat up almost instantly so there is no need for a dashboard curly wire warning light to warn you that they are still heating up.
Still wise with a diesel, though, to hesitate for 10 seconds or so before giving the key its final turn because that will ensure all the glowplugs are fully lit up and lessen the chance of filling the DPF with unburned hydrocarbon soot on start-up.
You are right. Ford switched from Eolys regenerated DPFs to simpler, cheaper 'coated' DPFs. These days, glowplugs heat up almost instantly so there is no need for a dashboard curly wire warning light to warn you that they are still heating up.
Still wise with a diesel, though, to hesitate for 10 seconds or so before giving the key its final turn because that will ensure all the glowplugs are fully lit up and lessen the chance of filling the DPF with unburned hydrocarbon soot on start-up.
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