ford focus TDi 1600cc - diesel particulate filter - defective

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
View Threaded
Wed 30 Mar 2011 21:55
ford focus TDi 1600cc - diesel particulate filter - defective - focussot

My focus was diagnosed as having a faulty dpf - the cost is £800 ! I can afford it yet, but an I safely use the car without causing any damage for a week or two - I accept the loss of power but I dont want to use it if I am going to damage it

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 30 Mar 2011 22:09
ford focus TDi 1600cc - diesel particulate filter - defective - Collos25

For a start the replacement unit is much much cheaper look on ebay or other sources or you could have it totally removed and the ecu program changed for around 350 ukps.And yes you could do untold damage running it in Limp home mode.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 30 Mar 2011 22:12
ford focus TDi 1600cc - diesel particulate filter - defective - focussot

For a start the replacement unit is much much cheaper look on ebay or other sources or you could have it totally removed and the ecu program changed for around 350 ukps.And yes you could do untold damage running it in Limp home mode.

Sorry to sound dim, but would it still run correctly with the dpf being removed - and what do you mean by having the ecu program changed? Also what kind of damage could be caused - I do need to travel 50 miles in it tomorrow- could this damage it?

Edited by focussot on 30/03/2011 at 22:14

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 30 Mar 2011 22:19
ford focus TDi 1600cc - diesel particulate filter - defective - SteveLee

As Andy said, you'd need the ECU reflashed with suitable software if the DPF has been removed.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 30 Mar 2011 22:22
ford focus TDi 1600cc - diesel particulate filter - defective - focussot

What does having the ECU reflashed exactly ential? Is this a main dealer job?

Would you advise I not use the vehicle AT ALL - or could i still use it on short trips - until I get it fixed

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 31 Mar 2011 20:03
ford focus TDi 1600cc - diesel particulate filter - defective - focussot

Can anyone advise whether it is safe to use with diesel particulate filter not working - what is the worst case scenario? I have been told it would just blow off a pipe - is this correct?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 31 Mar 2011 20:34
ford focus TDi 1600cc - diesel particulate filter - defective - Collos25

No its not safe to run as it is,no its not a main dealer job do Google for a local firm that specialise in removing DPF,yes it will run much better without the DPF you need the ECU reflashing so it does not look for the DPF.

The worst case scenario is a blown Turbo, a blown engine and much more expense.

Edited by Andy Bairsto on 31/03/2011 at 20:36

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 5 Apr 2011 23:23
ford focus TDi 1600cc - diesel particulate filter - defective - focussot

Took car to have dpf removed at specialist - it was a disaster- £500 charged and after driving it away engine management light came on again - took it back to them and they couldn't understand why. They eventually refunded the cost as they can't find out what the problem is. I am trying to sell the caras I dont wantto spend £800 on new dpf n car only worth £2.5K.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 5 Apr 2011 23:44
ford focus TDi 1600cc - diesel particulate filter - defective - MikeTorque

It's worth phoning a car scrap yard, they have components available such as a Focus DPF.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link