help with zafira

always_comping

We have a 06 plate Zafira 1.9 sri tdi and we have had nowt but hassle since we bought it. Latest problem is deisel particle filter warning light flashes constantly. Just replaced alternator at cost of 500 quid, really can't afford anything else on it as we still paying monthly for it, any ideas on how to solve problem would be great, thanks.

vax2002

If it just the PF light on its own try this trick:
take the car on to the motorway and run it in a gear that allows 3000-4000 rpm constantly for a good couple of miles, this should regenerate the filter, and the light will go out after a few starts if it has worked.
It is hard as you want to change gear, but inside lane behind lorries in third usually does it.

always_comping

thanks, hopefully will sort it, car tends to make noise when slwoing down to lights/traffic and sounds like it wants to cut out! very scary!

Trebor16

Would an '06 Zafira have a DPF fitted?

vax2002

Trebor16 wrote: »

Would an '06 Zafira have a DPF fitted?

yes the newer 1.9 unit has them from 06, most just get them taken out when they start and the ecu flashed as it improves mpg by as much as + 9-11mpg

GolfBravo

Before you take your car on to the motorway and start revving it, firstly make sure the engine is fully warmed up. DPF regeneration happens only when the engine is up to its operating temperature, or close to it. So make sure you drive it for 5-10 ten minutes first.

ROY47

http://www.turnerautomotive.co.uk/dpf-cleaning.html

How to clean the DPF yourself.

Before you read any further it is important that you understand that the DPF warning light appearing is a completely normal thing to happen, the DPF warning is just advising you that the DPF needs to regenerate itself and that you need to follow the instructions in the owners manual for the dpf to clean itself.

If you cant find the instructions then follow these simple instructions which will work on most vehicles

1. Make sure that the Engine Management Light is NOT on.

2. Ensure that the vehicle has at least 1/4 of a tank of fuel

3. Turn on as many electrical items as you can, Air conditioning, Lights, Heated rear window, radio etc.

4. Find a long stretch of road where you can drive for up to 15 miles without stopping - Dual carriageway or motorway etc.

5. Drive the car until normal temperature has been reached

6. Once warm, Drive the car in any gear that allows you to maintain 2,000 RPM suitable for the speed you are driving, in automatics you will need to select sport mode if possible and select the gear manually

7. Drive the car with the engine speed of 2,000 RPM until either the dpf light goes off or until you have covered at least 30 miles.



Following the above procedure should allow the car to self clean (or regenerate) the DPF on its own.

If following the above procedure fails or the engine management or ABS light (or any other warning lights) are on you will need to take the car to someone with the skills and equipment to diagnose the cause of the problem and repair the faults.

Once any faults have been resolved you should find that in the vast majority of cases that following the procedure in the owners manual or the one above should resolve the problem.

Remember the DPF light will only come on if the DPF is becoming blocked, this is absolutely normal, thats why its there, and if you follow the procedures outlined that should be the end of the problem.

The DPF should last the life of the car without replacement and replacing the DPF without resolving any underlying causes of any problems that are either preventing the DPF cleaning itself or causing excessive soot to be produced will only result in the DPF becoming clogged in a relatively short period.

Trebor16

vax2002 wrote: »

yes the newer 1.9 unit has them from 06, most just get them taken out when they start and the ecu flashed as it improves mpg by as much as + 9-11mpg

Thanks Vax, I thought they came in from 2007/8.

oldagetraveller

always_comping wrote: »

We have a 06 plate Zafira 1.9 sri tdi and we have had nowt but hassle since we bought it. Latest problem is deisel particle filter warning light flashes constantly. Just replaced alternator at cost of 500 quid, really can't afford anything else on it as we still paying monthly for it, any ideas on how to solve problem would be great, thanks.

Not a solution - but check the engine oil level hasn't risen in case fuel has found it's way there due to failed regenerations.
My daughter's "57" Zafira had the same problem and the engine oil was badly contaminated with Diesel fuel. Too many short journeys was no doubt the cause. They tried the forced regeneration with a prolonged high speed run, 2500 - 3000 rev/min first but it didn't do the trick.
They were a "bit" naughty, changed the engine oil and filter and traded it in straight away for a petrol version!

GolfBravo

oldagetraveller wrote: »

They tried the forced regeneration with a prolonged high speed run, 2500 - 3000 rev/min first but it didn't do the trick.

This is just a normal regeneration process. Forced regeneration is performed at a dealership when they connect it to their diagnostics system (in case of Vauxhall it's Tech 2) and it firstly runs the engine at normal revs until close to normal operating temperature is reached (coolant above 50 degrees, exhaust at least 600 degrees before turbocharger) and then the revs increase to 2000-2500rpm, the fuel/air mixture is slightly different, and there is also diesel injected into the exhaust system, just before the DPF. It lasts anything between 5 and 20 minutes and the exhaust fumes get up to over 800 degrees past the DPF, and you have to ensure there is very good ventilation because of the fumes. Forced regeneration is much more effective thank normal active/automatic regeneration as the temperatures involved are higher and the whole process is uninterrupted (no stopping, slowing down, turning engine off, etc).

Unfortunately many mechanics simply recommend a new DPF filter for which they charge up to £1000 (new filter £250-£400, labour £200-£350, Eolys serum top up £35 per litre, DPF surcharge around £200 which they then get back from the manufacturer once they return the old DPF to them). Forced regeneration is only about 45 minutes labour charge.

That's why I keep discouraging everyone from buying a modern diesel powered car unless they do frequent long journeys. The good old "12K miles per year makes a diesel cheaper" simply doesn't apply anymore. If your average 12K miles includes 6000 2-mile trips you should expect DPF problems and expensive repairs.

oldagetraveller wrote:

My daughter's "57" Zafira had the same problem and the engine oil was badly contaminated with Diesel fuel. Too many short journeys was no doubt the cause.

Good point. Apart from short journeys the biggest contributing factor is poor diesel quality from places like Tesco and Sainsbury, who buy their fuels mainly from overseas, purely cost based - so one day you may get good fuel from a local British refinery, and then following week you get some cheaply-made fuel that is already 2 months old because it comes from some distant low labour cost country.

ROY47 wrote: »

2. Ensure that the vehicle has at least 1/4 of a tank of fuel

Yes! Forgot about that one. So even putting only £10 worth of diesel twice a week and running it low on fuel (below 1/4) would prevent the regeneration process, and consequently DPF gets clogged.

always_comping

thanks, done the motorway and light has gone out, think hubby has bought us the wrong kinda car for our normal use of car!