Eolys

[Paradigm]

Hello
Driving my 2011 C3 Picasso back to Bournemouth from North Wales - I got the ‘Risk of Particulate Filter blockage’ message after 4 hours motorway driving. It went off after a break at the services. It now comes on very occasionally.

I assume this means that I need to top up the box or change the bag. Can anyone tell me if I have the Pouch or Box and what size it would be?

Chassis number is VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]

Thank you for help - Chris

[GiveMeABreak]

Hi Chris, under normal circumstances this doesn't mean that at all.

You have a pouch based system, and if this required replacing, you would of got a different message like 'additive level low' or similar. The message you are having means the filter is either having problems regenerating or is blocking up. These only have a finite service life before they need replacing or deep cleaning. How many miles has your vehicle done and from what mileage have you owned it?

The only other reason (which is why I mentioned under normal circumstances) and asked about ownership is because if the low additive warning had come up previously and somebody had reset / advised the engine ECU that the Eolys pouch has been replaced when it had not, then there would be no additive going into the fuel tank and therefor no assisted regeneration.

If you can answer the questions I may be able to help further.

[Paradigm]

I’ve owned the car since September. It’s covered 125,000 miles and has full service history. The previous owner had it for 2 years. I asked him about Eolys fluid but he hadn’t heard of it. But did say he put Reddex in every couple of weeks. There is no record in service history of Eolys top up or replacement.

[GiveMeABreak]

Ok, so it would seem that the filter is at end of life. The Cerine in the additive contains iron and this can't be burned off during regeneration, so this along with other engine deposits are what ultimately clog the filter walls.

With this mileage, it's likely that this is the cause of the clogging - because as you say you have already been driving at motorway speeds, so it looks like it's a matter of the filter being clogged as described. No amount of regeneration will clear these deposits as I've said.

So I would certainly have the pouch checked in any case if you've never had it replaced, but I still maintain it will be the particle filter itself, as on motorway driving, the system will be able to naturally regenerate (passive regeneration) without the need for assisted regeneration operations.

So maybe time to get it replaced or seek a professional cleaning service. Don't forget if having the filter deep cleaned or replaced, the engine ECU will need to be informed of a DPF replacement, so it knows, and can adjust the regeneration maps accordingly.

As for the additive itself, you have a pouch based system and it is Powerflex additive that you require, 1.1 Litre bag. The engine management ECU additive counter will also need resetting if and when the bag is replaced, as the fluid is not physically measured....