Nissan X-trail T32 1.6 - Particle filter/ Catalyst problem. (Not DPF)

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Thu 16 Aug 2018 14:17
Nissan X-trail T32 1.6 - Particle filter/ Catalyst problem. (Not DPF) - PJohn

My problem started in May. Engine management light came on. The problem a valve/solenoid in the front exhaust system, this was repaired under warranty.
My understanding is this valve controls the flow of gasses/heat to ensure efficiency of exhaust system and the correct operation of particle filter/Catalyst and DPF.
My problem is that my particle filter/catalyst is now full of soot, I think this could be related to the failure of valve previously mentioned. Nissan obviously think otherwise and states that this is wear and tare and they want to replace it at a cost of £500. Obviously I want it replaced under warranty.
I now want to take this further with Nissan but I need confirmation that my analysis of the problem is correct.
My car is a 2014 T32 1600, with 32000 on the clock.

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Thu 16 Aug 2018 15:14
Nissan X-trail T32 1.6 - Particle filter/ Catalyst problem. (Not DPF) - SLO76
I’m not mechanically minded to the level of some on this forum but out of curiosity what sort of usage does the car see? It has a very low mileage for a 4yr old diesel and you may be doing a lot of local short distance driving which is incompatible with a DPF equipped diesel. If so did the dealer warn you about this before you bought it? They should.

That said this Renault engine isn’t known for DPF issues, it’s certainly not as common as in many other modern diesels so I’d argue that you could be right in what you’re saying that the previous repair has caused this early failure.

I’d advise bypassing the dealer and go directly to Nissan customer services themselves with your complaint. They should investigate and usually will offer at least a compromise.

Edited by SLO76 on 16/08/2018 at 15:15

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Thu 16 Aug 2018 18:07
Nissan X-trail T32 1.6 - Particle filter/ Catalyst problem. (Not DPF) - RobJP

4 years, 32k miles. Nowhere near enough for a modern diesel to passively regen a DPF properly.

I'm not surprised that it's clogged up, and yes, I think it would be classed as wear and tear, and not a failure.

As SLO says, customer services may view it differently. But don't bet on it.

Edited by RobJP on 16/08/2018 at 18:08

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Thu 16 Aug 2018 18:19
Nissan X-trail T32 1.6 - Particle filter/ Catalyst problem. (Not DPF) - PJohn

Thanks for the replys, But the issue is not the DPF it is fine. Nissan discribe it as the particle filter it sits between the turbo and DPF. Somebody siggested that this is the catalyst.

I do approx 100 miles round trip approx twice a week. plus numerous other journeys.

The catalyst/particle filter shouldt glog up.

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Thu 16 Aug 2018 21:46
Nissan X-trail T32 1.6 - Particle filter/ Catalyst problem. (Not DPF) - SLO76
Im not a mechanic but I believe you have misunderstood what the garage has said. Apologies if I’m wrong but it sounds like they’re saying the DPF (diesel Particulate Filter) is clogged, this is very common on car that have been bought to do a low mileage which is unsuitable for a DPF equipped vehicle. I’m not aware of any secondary Particulate Filter on any such set up and the catalyst if it has one should be located further back in the exhaust and these are rarely a problem. I’d get back on to the dealer to clarify what they’re telling you. Your regular 100 mike journeys should be enough to regen the DPF however so I’d pressure Nissan for a contribution at least as long as it has a full main dealer service history. If it doesn’t however then you’ve no chance.
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Fri 17 Aug 2018 00:01
Nissan X-trail T32 1.6 - Particle filter/ Catalyst problem. (Not DPF) - PJohn

IT IS NOT THE Diesel Particulate Filter!!!!! That has been confirmed. Nissan calls the falt as the partical filter which has been confirmed as a catalitic converter. This has also been confirmed by Nissan as being positioned between the turbo and DPF.

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Fri 17 Aug 2018 01:38
Nissan X-trail T32 1.6 - Particle filter/ Catalyst problem. (Not DPF) - SLO76
Keep us informed on how you get on then. I’m baffled by why they’d refer to the catalyst as a particle filter. It has a catalyst and a Particulate filter they’re confusing matters. Best of luck!
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Fri 17 Aug 2018 12:46
Nissan X-trail T32 1.6 - Particle filter/ Catalyst problem. (Not DPF) - RichardW

Does seem to be some confusion of terminology here. The ‘Particle filter’ is the DPF (hence the name) and this catches the soot particles. Usually before this there is the cat convertor that helps to reduce NOX emissions.

What symptoms have you got, exactly? The cat doesn’t have pressure sensing on it, so it would be very difficult to know if that was blocked up without taking it off.

If the cat is blocked at only 32k then that is not fair wear and tear, since the particles should mostly pass straight through (and then be caught by the DPF) – and the cat should pretty well last the life of the car.

So, you need to confirm what you are seeing, and then perhaps we can give some more ammo to go back to Nissan with.

Low total mileage is not bad for DPFs per se – rather it is the useage pattern. If the car does a small number of long journeys, then this is OK, whereas a large number of short journeys might not be – so a car with ‘low’ miles over a few years could be OK; whereas a car with ‘high’ miles over a few years might not be…

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Thu 16 Aug 2018 22:35
Nissan X-trail T32 1.6 - Particle filter/ Catalyst problem. (Not DPF) - RobJP

So you're doing a decent mileage - 200 miles a week on the 2 trips, plus 'numerous other journeys'. So let's assume of 12-15k miles a year.

So how is it that the car (4 years old) only has 32k on the clock ? Have you only recently bought it ?

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Fri 17 Aug 2018 00:29
Nissan X-trail T32 1.6 - Particle filter/ Catalyst problem. (Not DPF) - PJohn

I'm fully aware of the limitations of the DPF and aware of the milage needed to keep the DPF healthy.

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Fri 17 Aug 2018 07:43
Nissan X-trail T32 1.6 - Particle filter/ Catalyst problem. (Not DPF) - RobJP

I'm fully aware of the limitations of the DPF and aware of the milage needed to keep the DPF healthy.

That didn't answer the question.

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Fri 17 Aug 2018 17:47
Nissan X-trail T32 1.6 - Particle filter/ Catalyst problem. (Not DPF) - PJohn

I don't need to as the DPF is not the problem, as allready stateted it is the Catalyst that has sooted up (nissan calls this the particle filter). What I am asking is if a valve which monitters gas flow can affect the catalyst if the valve is faulty. The valve sits between the catalysts and DPF and sends singnals to the EGR.

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Fri 17 Aug 2018 18:39
Nissan X-trail T32 1.6 - Particle filter/ Catalyst problem. (Not DPF) - RobJP

I don't need to as the DPF is not the problem, as allready stateted it is the Catalyst that has sooted up (nissan calls this the particle filter). What I am asking is if a valve which monitters gas flow can affect the catalyst if the valve is faulty. The valve sits between the catalysts and DPF and sends singnals to the EGR.

As other posts have already explained, the catalyst is NOT the same thing as the particle (particulate) filter.

Either someone at the dealership has explained things incorrectly, or you have mis-heard them.

Either way, the question about mileage IS pertinent, because it may explain why the particulate filter is blocked.

The devil is in the details, usually. The detail as to how you do what appears to be a decent mileage per annum, and yet the car's mileage does not reflect this, may well prove to by of significant value if you want people to actually understand how this problem has come about.

Edited by RobJP on 17/08/2018 at 18:39

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Sat 18 Aug 2018 04:51
Nissan X-trail T32 1.6 - Particle filter/ Catalyst problem. (Not DPF) - PJohn

The particulate filter is NOT BLOCKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The catalyst is sooted up!!!!! The catalyst sits between the turbo and particulate filter (DPF)

What ever Nissan called it the fact is it is still the catalyst.

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