Mazda 3 diesel fuel additive

bap98189

Engine warning light came on in OH's Mazda 3 diesel. Took it to the local garage and the diagnostic came back as Fuel Additive empty. Local garage say they cannot fix this and it will have to be done by a Mazda dealer.

Rang 3 local Mazda dealers and the cheapest price any of them quoted was £550 to fix. Even more annoying, none of them are able to do it before 30th November as they say they are booked up until then for a "long job". I've phoned several dealers and this is the best I can get out of them.

To cap it all off, they have advised that we don't drive the car until it is replenished as if we do, the DPF (whatever that is) will be damaged and if that needs replaced then the cost will be £2500 :eek:

Is this advice correct - is it likely to cause that amount of damage if we drive the car. OH needs it to get to work so it's going to be a real pain if so.

JustinR1979

http://www.mazda3forums.co.uk/index.php?topic=11620.0


Towards bottom is info on the Eolys fluid.
£550 sounds expensive, depends how many litres it takes and cost of putting light out I guess.
Would ask on the forums, see how the owners refill it.

harveybobbles

£500 sounds right for a main dealer.

Not cheap stuff that elloy fluid.

However, most local garages should be able to sort this out if they have the right info.

OP - when you fuel up, how much do you put in each time?

bap98189

harveybobbles wrote: »

OP - when you fuel up, how much do you put in each time?

Usually fill it up when it gets empty (1/8 of a tank or less). Only bought the car 6 months ago though. It's an 07 plate with 84k on the clock, which has run perfectly since we got it aside from this.

OddballJamie

If the DPF hasn't been done before, it may need it at some point too. (Just confirmed on Honest John, that it's around 80k usually).

Doesn't make sense buying used diesels any more, any fuels savings just get wiped out with repairs.

harveybobbles

Indeed they do.

The reason I asked about the fuel was everytim you put fuel in, a little bit of the elloy fluid gets squirted in. So if you put £15/20 in here and there, you will soon use the elloy up.

Also beware that any unburnt fuel doesnt end up in the sump..!!

roonaldo

I had this done for £150 at an independent garage.

OddballJamie

roonaldo wrote: »

I had this done for £150 at an independent garage.

That's normally about the cost of the fluid for 5 litres.

iolanthe07

the DPF (whatever that is)

Not having a go at the OP, but it is depressing that people buy diesels without knowing what a DPF is. Knowledge of modern diesels and the problems associated with a Diesel Particulate Filter (especially if you only drive low mileages mainly around town) is essential for anyone contemplating buying one.

OddballJamie

iolanthe07 wrote: »

the DPF (whatever that is)

Not having a go at the OP, but it is depressing that people buy diesels without knowing what a DPF is. Knowledge of modern diesels and the problems associated with a Diesel Particulate Filter (especially if you only drive low mileages mainly around town) is essential for anyone contemplating buying one.

I'm waiting on the new ads to replace the PPI ones.

"Have you been mis-sold a diesel car? Were you tricked into thinking you could save money by pottering around town in it? Visit https://www.Ididnotresearchmynewcar.com straightaway to start your claim."

bap98189

So is the consensus that this DPF may well need to be replaced?

Because frankly if it does, and costs £2500, then the car will be going to the scrapyard.