2005 Fiat Doble 1.9 TD Multijet engine.
Engine managment light recently came on and engine went into limp mode, plugged into Snap On Modus and "Can't remember the code but translated as" Particulate filter resticted flow. Phoned the local dealer and got a quote of 928 + Vat and that was supply only!!!!!!!!!!!
Is there anyway of cleaning them or doing a forced Regeneration?
Would knocking the centre out of the exhaust thus letting the gasses flow through trick it into thinking it was working or would I just get a fault along the lines of "air flow to high" and it'd be back into limp mode.
Would really like screwloose to give me some advise as he seems to be very clued up on this after reading a few of his replies in the Peugeot, Citreon Topics.
Has anyone ever been advised when buying a Fiat or any car that has this system on of the added service costs? This van wasDealer serviced and never had the additive topped up and when enquiring about what it does etc none of the mechanics had a clue didn't even seem to no that the exhaust had this self buring thing in it! Also partsmen gave me a price for a pollen filter to start with and had never heard of a particulate filter also had never sold any additive so how many cars arn't getting the proper servicing!!!!!!!. Seems scandelous.
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 13/06/2008 at 23:04
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Can't say that I've yet come across a Multijet particle filter. Small Fiats are just about dead in the SE [dealers have all gone; even parts are a struggle] and I can't recall the last time that I worked on one. Got an engine type-code?
It's distinctly possible that this is a coated soot filter that doesn't use additive in the Peugeot/Citroen sense. They just don't work - even the tyre-distribution vans [thrashed daily] clog them up. No additive top-ups are listed in the Doblo service schedule I've got - not the latest, I'll admit.
At that price; if a long, high-speed run won't clean it, I'd take it off and smash the brick out - that's what I've done on a whole fleet of Boxer/Movano/Relays whenever they've blocked and they now go a lot better. They don't have pressure-monitoring fitted though - what the sensor will flag is an unknown quantity. Unlikey to be a serious enough code to cause limp though.
As to people not being warned about the cost and problems of owning FAP-equipped cars - that scandal is yet to break. The mis-selling is heading for a fall.
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The problems with the particle filter are common, and VERY expensive.
When you buy the 1.9 diesel multijet engine in any of its body forms, you are not advised how to drive it to avoid problems with the particle filter. Fiat will tell you that to get maximum mpg, you need to keep the revs low, at about 2000, and change up gear asap, keeping the revs at about 2000.
Unfortunately, this forces very little pressure in the exhaust, and does not 'blow out' the system, resulting in a 'blocked' particle filter.
My problems started with an '06' registered doblo 5 months ago. The engine management light came on, and I lost my turbo, making motorway driving dangerous. Lorries were flashing, and swerving to avoid me at my very low speeds on the inside lane. I was unable to get revs above 3000, sometimes below that in 4th and 5th gears.
I went to my local garage first, they got someone 'in' to do a diagnostic check which cost me £50.00, this test told me that there was a turbo problem. I already new that!
Next thing, I went to a turbo specialist about 15 miles away, they confirmed that there was nothing wrong with my turbo, it was the 'particle filter'. That visit cost me £40.00. They referred me to a local fiat dealership, apparently willing to 'clean' the filter. I left the car with them, but all they did was do another diagnostic check, cost £50.00. This showed a 'particle filter' problem, they offered to renew the part for £1214.00!
If you buy any of these fiat vehicles with the multijet engine, sod the
fuel consumption, screw it up to about 4.500 revs away from traffic lights, better pay for fuel than a new particle filter @ £1214!
Dave,
Cardiff Taxi.
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