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have a read here:
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/diesel-particulate-filters
there's a technical FaQ from Vauxhall about their DPF implementation which (i think) will apply to your engine as it's pretty much the same GM 1.9 lump as in Vectras, etc.
it includes all the parameters & conditions under which a regeneration will take place, when the regen. will be cancelled, and so on.
i believe they use a catalyst-coated DPF matrix, so there's no eolys fluid.
Maybe try one good run of maybe 30-40 mins, keeping the revs at a steady 2,500 to clear the DPF out. if it's still regenning every 200 miles after that, it could be a sensor issue.
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if its doing it that often then i would suggest there is something wrong perhaps the dpf is blocked and it keeps trying to rectify itsself, suggest you get some expert help dealer or a good indie that knows there stuff,Regards tb
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Car has continued to do this, happened again at the end of a 5 mile cold start journey at 6am max speed 30mph. Since then have been on a couple of 100 mile runs to try and clear it.
But now it is significantly down on power, has absolutely no go below 2500rpm in any gear including 1st and is making pulling out of junctions embarrassing. Before the turbo would give a good shove at 1750rpm but that isn't happening until 2500-3000.
Its booked into a Saab specialist on Thursday. Will report back in case anyone is interested.
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My wife has a Zafira 1.9 125bhp, this is this is the slightly less powerful Fiat unit (not GM) as fitted in your Saab. Being a 58 plate, it is about right up to date with the ECU settings. The DPF will regenerate itself, earlier than used to be the case. The ECU does not allow it to get anywhere near blocked, before regen takes place. Although the car gets a motorway or long dual carriageway run every week, it also does a couple of 5 miles each way, ring road trips. It frequently does a regen during one of these ring road trips, (40mph max). We found this a bit odd initially, but now, if she arrives home with a load of heat from the engine bay, and the exhaust stinking, she just takes it around 5 more miles to finish off. A bit wasteful on fuel, but (touch wood) it seems to work well. Also, when driving, we try to maintain 2000 rpm or more. This means 3rd gear in a 30 limit, 4th in a 40 and 5th (you get the picture). This ensures the engine is running around max torque most of the time. There should be no need for 100 mile trips, unless you actually need to go that far.
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if you interupt the regen you do more harm than good and giving it another 5 miles will not make it finnish the regen(if engine turned of or you drop below the speed /revs required) it will allow the exhaust to cool off most certainly but thats all, Regards TB
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Suspect that if you regularly cruise with only 1,500 rpm showing, this will be insufficient to allow the regen process to take place. Seems a shame when the car is happy (and quiet!) cruising at this engine speed, but as an earlier poster stated, you need to keep the revs at perhaps 2,500 rpm with some regularity to get it to regen.
Think it's also good for the EGR valve and any variable geometry turbo vanes for you to use the full range of engine speeds a couple of times per week, once the engine is warm. Unfortunately, all the modern emissions equipment on diesels is meaning that they have to be driven in a way that uses more fuel, or bits 'gum up'.
Makes a modern petrol engine seem tempting, until you consider that they're also getting more complex. Wonder how a superchagred/turbocharged VW TSI unit will fare over 150,000 miles...?
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Thanks for all the posts (boggles, the trips wheren't completely just driving for the sake of it). The plot thickens...
In a week its gradually gone from full power to nothing, last trip back from work it was down to 45-50mph max and down to 25-30 on inclines (even flatout in 3rd). Yesterday attempted to drive to the garage but it took a few goes to start and kept cutting out. When it was running it would barely rev above idle. (engine management light is not on). It just about limped on and off the recovery truck.
Hope to hear whats up on tuesday after the holiday. The recovery guy said it was misfiring on a cylinder (but it has always done that when cold) so suspected a glowplug (but that wouldn't explain lack of power even when its warmed up), an injector or bad fuel (I've checked my fuel receipts and they are for diesel!). I'll leave it with the experts...
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I apologise for not reading all the replies - has this just happened? You say it's diesel etc but you didn't fill up at Sainsbury's near Oxford did you?
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/8600673.stm
They mixed up petrol and diesel in the tanks!
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rt70 - it has just happened but no, I'm in Norfolk. I do however exclusively use another supermarket chain for my fuel.
DavidGlos - re a good run once a week, my daily commute can be done either around a ring-road in traffic or my preferred but longer route which includes about 15mins on dualcarriageway at 70, I do each roughly 50/50. And I enjoy driving so am not afraid to use the full rev range/acceleration now and again.
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just to add my 1p-worth the DPF problems, my 57 Golf 2.0 TDI goes throught hte same rigmarole, even while driving down to Spain....runs roughly, MPG disappears, and cooling fans going crazy.....
I have been in touch with Miltek the stainless steel exhaust people, and they do a straight pipe replacement for the DPF which is not required for the MOT....in combination with a Superchip ECU upgrade, the car is predicted to breath far more freely, be far more economical, and have far more power..
this is my plan, as soon as the car is out of warranty in December
all the best bc
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Car is now fixed and back to normal. The EGR valve was clogged up and suck slightly open, they did try cleaning it but it was faulty so has been replaced with a new one.
They noticed the (I think he said) inlet manifold and swirl flaps have previously been replaced for the newer better design, so hopefully, fingers crossed, thats one less thing to go wrong in the future.
Thanks for the responses.
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Response to - barrycoll
Just for you to consider. I have a Saab 9-3 1.9 Tid '150' with Superchip Remap, which has been nothing but problems for the last 4 years of me owning it. I too thought about removing the DPF as mine is nothing but a pain, I think mine regens too often about every 500-700 miles however my local dealer keeps advising me that its fine!!!
After a bit of investigation I found out through a Saab Specialist that the exhaust Superheats to 650 Degrees C to regen properly, I know when this is happening because obviously fuel economy drops but my exhaust note changes as I have the Hirsch Performance Dual Exhaust fitted it then makes a deep burble and the exhaust stretch out of the back by usually about an inch and a half. This does this whilst sitting at a set of traffic lights which in my opinion is damn right dangerous! Hence why I wanted mine removed.
Not quite as easy as some might think, especially with my Saab. If you put a straight pipe in its place the airflow sensors pick up too much airflow between the front and back of the DPF which in turn confuses the ECU and puts the car into Limp Mode.
If you decide to give it a go ahead with your plans then good luck and I hope all goes well.
Cheers
Edited by SaabAddict 9-3 on 23/08/2010 at 16:56
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