307 Antipollution Fault

[shooey]

Hello all,

I bought a 53 plate Peugeot 307 SW 2.0HDi 110 estate car from my friend in Birmingham last Saturday. I got onto the motorway and pretty much straight away I got an engine management light appear and an ANTIPOLLUTION FAULT appear on the main display. The car generally feels restricted when driving but still has a bit of nippyness about it. At a complete guess I would say it is in limp mode (or some sort of safety mode).

I have heard that it could be any of the following:

1) the cat convertor needs cleaning.
2) the cat convertor needs replacing.
3) the particle filter needs cleaning.
4) the particle filter needs replacing (apparently very, very expensive - according to Croxdale in Middlesbrough).
5) its a loose turbo valve.
6) its a loose inlet valve.
7) the additive needs topping up.

I am just wondering what I can do about it? I understand I have got some diagnostics done but this itself is problematic. People say get a proper diagnostic from a Peugeot Planet machine, whilst others say I dont need to do that.

I am pretty much a novice with cars (computer technician is my background). Is there anybody in the Middlesbrough area who could kindly help me out with this? Money is tight so a free diagnosis would be excellent.


Thanks

[Oldpug]

As you said it needs a proper Peugeot Diag` on the job,find a small independent Peugeot/Citroen specialist as a Main Dealer will charge an arm and a leg.There are numerous codes that will bring the dreaded "antipollution fault" up, this will also cause it to run in limp mode (3000rpm max).The Peugeot machine will also run a particulate filter regeneration sequence,much cheaper than replacing one.I think you are asking a lot to expect a free diagnosis,all this kit is very expensive,and a good technician is worth his labour rate.If you want your car operating correctly get it done properly.

[shooey]

i got a friend of a friends mechanic to plug his diagnostic kit in (it was called ETHOS). that came back as particle filter. that guy said its an expensive job (well £300+). I cant seem to find anyone who specialises in pugs. Theres a place called Citroematic who want £40+ vat to do a diagnostic. He wasnt very clear on the details and didnt understand why I wanted to know what brand/type of diagnostic machine I was using. Should I be looking for someone who has that Peugeot Planet diagnostic machine?

If the car stands me at £1500 is it worth spending £300+ to sort it out? Its obviously been hammered as the previous owner (before my friend) was a lease hire company. I think they may have clocked the mileage as well because the MOT certificates are missing before 2006. He has all the MOTs and service stamps since he has owned to prove his mileage is genuine.

[The Birdman]

To be honest it hasn`t been hammered enough , particle filters (FAP) need to be driven alot on the motorway , if it was only driven short journeys then it`ll block ,
this usually happens between 80k and 120k ,
I`ll send you a list of pp owners .

[shooey]

Excellent, thanks.

It just feels a bit older and judderry. My x-reg 406 is sweet as a nut and that too has 127k on it. Full service history and not clocked.

The first owner for a lease hire company then my mate was second. The first owners mileage goes up 30 and 40k every service until it stops in 2006. My mate bought it in 2008. Now its on 127k (and my mate has done less than 10k in four years - his wife was doing the local school runs, etc).

[Citroenmad]

It is unfortunate in that the 2.0HDi 110 does not have a FAP filter in any other car (as far as I know) other than the 307.

You say it has been used for 4 years as a town car, which might explain the problems you are having with it. However with its mileage it could well need the FAP replacing. Some people have had success in cleaning the FAP with a pressure washer but ive not really looked into it. Another thing ive not really looked into (no doubt will if I get FAp problems with my C5) is removing the FAP and telling the car it doesnt have one. I believe this can be done, have a bit of a search on here as there is a fairly recent topic about it.

If you think the car might have a higher mileage than it is showing, you can get all the old MOT certificate results back through the DVLA, might add to its history if it is acking a little. The 110 HDis are superb engines and it should see double its mileage without too much trouble. Depending on how its been looked after etc.

I doubt you would get your £1500 back if the car is not performing correctly and has a warning on the dash, you would probably make a loss. So you might as well spend some money on it and get it working correctly. However, depending on where you go, it can work out pricey if you do replace the FAP. You might be in luck and just need the fluid topping up.

That sounds like the going rate for a diagnostic but a few places will be cheaper. Citromatic in stockton do seem to know what they are talking about with FAP filters. There is also another specialist in Middlesbrough, Dave Stott, who I have used for a few repairs and MOTs in the past. They should also be able to put the car on the right diagnostic equipment. A local guy I use sometimes has just got a new bit of kit, it can tell you when the fap is regenerating, how much fluid is left and even what the pressure difference is in from start to end of the FAP. Or so he tells me! I dont believe Lexia or Peugeot planet goes quite into this much detail, it can tell you how much fluid has been injected into the FAP and you can set it to regenerate (not somehting ive tried but know how!)

I have Peugeot Planet, I have not used it as I dont have a Peugeot but it comes part of the Lexia (Citroen version) I bought and is on the same disc. I know with the lexia you can tell the car to regenerate its FAP filter which might be something to try with yours. Obviously read the stored fault codes and see what that brings up. Let me know if you would like me to have a try with my Peugeot planet on it, you can message me on here if its easier.

If its in limp home mode the engine wont rev above 2500-3000rpm.

[shooey]

I can give my mate the car back and get my money - its just that I need a seven-seater at some point. Besides, my x-reg 406 (up for sale in auto trader) has a clutch on the way out and tax is due at the end of this month (besides a few other minor niggles). It'll cost £120 just for tax and then £150-ish for the clutch. Car is only up for £650 as well so I stand to get less if i sell it with those extras.

Point is, I need another car if i return the 307 to my mate. Hence I am trying to sort it out. Both local guys I went to (friends of friends) said just get your money back as your going to get problem after problem with this particular make/model.

The first mechanic did talk something about taking off part of the exhaust and jet washing it, then bypassing the FAP (or something like that). But then he said if its only been used for local driving and I start using it for work (average 30+ miles a day) it could develope turbo problems. He also noticed that there was oil on the turbo and other places. But this was because the car never had a oil cap (I took the one from my 406 and put it on the 307 as soon as I got home). I have been checking the oil in the morning and seems fine).

I would defo be interested in getting it plugged into this peugeot planet kit. PM me please if you're local to my area (central middlesbrough). I'll call this Dave Scott place as well and see what the prices are for a diagnostics based quote.

[Citroenmad]

I can give my mate the car back and get my money - its just that I need a seven-seater at some point. Besides, my x-reg 406 (up for sale in auto trader) has a clutch on the way out and tax is due at the end of this month (besides a few other minor niggles). It'll cost £120 just for tax and then £150-ish for the clutch. Car is only up for £650 as well so I stand to get less if i sell it with those extras.

Point is, I need another car if i return the 307 to my mate. Hence I am trying to sort it out. Both local guys I went to (friends of friends) said just get your money back as your going to get problem after problem with this particular make/model.

The first mechanic did talk something about taking off part of the exhaust and jet washing it, then bypassing the FAP (or something like that). But then he said if its only been used for local driving and I start using it for work (average 30+ miles a day) it could develope turbo problems. He also noticed that there was oil on the turbo and other places. But this was because the car never had a oil cap (I took the one from my 406 and put it on the 307 as soon as I got home). I have been checking the oil in the morning and seems fine).

I would defo be interested in getting it plugged into this peugeot planet kit. PM me please if you're local to my area (central middlesbrough). I'll call this Dave Scott place as well and see what the prices are for a diagnostics based quote.

To be honest, if you have the option of giving the car back I would be very tempted to take that offer. The 307 is not known for its reliability and to buy one with problems might be a taste of what is to come. It does sound like a very cheap car though and finding another econmical 7 seater for similar money might be a problem. By the sound of it its not the best looked after car in the world, it really ought to be if its going to give good service.

Is the 307 SW a true 7 seater with 7 forward facing seats?

If it is a FAP problem and needs a replacement it can get pricey, more than £300 in a lot of cases.

Im in Hartlepool, Id be willing to give it a try, ill be in touch, though I might only be able to tell you what you already have been told by others.

[shooey]

It does sound like a very cheap car though and finding another econmical 7 seater for similar money might be a problem.

Yes and this is the dilemma I face. I could go with a Zafira (for the money I paid it would be an 02/03 reg max) but I just find them too dull and unimaginitive inside. Furthermore they are sluggish and not particularly econmical nor cheaper on insurance. I cant be bothered driving back to birmingham either plus the cost of fuel (£30+) and a bus ticket (£40 if i dont book it early). With it being a bank holiday coming up I have to decide by friday night (and take it back on saturday).

By the sound of it its not the best looked after car in the world, it really ought to be if its going to give good service.

Another dilemma is that my wife is taking driving lessons and if she passes soon she will keep the car 'for the local school runs'. Therefore it wont get pushed/abused too much (as I like to put my foot down). I can then get myself something small, simple and reliable.

If it is a FAP problem and needs a replacement it can get pricey, more than £300 in a lot of cases.

I dont mind paying that much as my mate will give me back upto £500. Problem is if i end up paying more later for other problems.

Im in Hartlepool, Id be willing to give it a try, ill be in touch, though I might only be able to tell you what you already have been told by others.

Yeah I understand but another opinion would be appreciated.


I am going to another mechanic tonight who said something about getting the garage next door to connect their computer up and burn/flush the filter? I assume he's referring to a diagnostic kit.

It's so frustrating - the first mechanic I took it to last night cleared the code and I got about fifteen/twenty minutes of unrestricted driving! Felt nice... while it lasted!

[rookie]

Hi Shooey

I cant remember which peugeot forum i read it on, but some guys on there had removed the particluate filters (and the cats) they claim that the car has improved performance, better fuel consumption and once they told the ECU that the particulate filter was no longer fitted, it passed MOT's with flying colours.
If I remmebr correctly, it was a matter of disconnecting the electrical lead to the "Additive Tank" and telling the ECu that there was no Particle filter fitted. I also seem to remember that they removed the CAT and drilled a 2 1/2 inch hole straight through it with a core drill.

Cant remember the exact details but if you d a search you should eventually find the site, it wasn't just one or two who had done it, it was quite a lot of them and non had reported any problems. No cost in doing it other than the man hours (and possibly having to re weld the exhaust if it was a one piece system.

So if it was mine, I would look at going down that route (or at least research it) before I wrote it off.

They also describe how to remove the filter and jet wash it out, lots of great tips on there but for the life of me cant remember which forum it was (could even have been this one)

Cheers

[shooey]

Hiya,

yeah thats exactly what the first mechanic said. his only concern was that as the car had only been used for local journeys, the car would be able to use the turbo a lot more and then that may go.

One thing my mate didnt notice is that they have been driving it round without an oil cap on the oil tank. as a result (possibly during my 180 mile trip back from birmingham) oil was on the turbo and other places.

I think I will have to pursue that option. Its just a case of catching one of the two mechanics (who isnt busy) and is willing/can be bothered to do it. Most of them cant be bothered if there isnt much money in it for them.

[Oldpug]

Going through all the replies I can see your on a very tight budget,so with this in mind a 307 is not the car to have.I have worked on Peugeot`s for 34yrs and would never recommend one to my customers.307`s are not even good for "business" as its mostly pain in the butt jobs like this,electronics/wiring etc.If you can return it and get your money back, do it! as it will be one problem after another.Its a shame these 307`s are like this as the old 306`s were great little cars.If you can find a nice clean one particularly the diesel model buy it, they are bullet proof.

[shooey]

If I can keep it going for a year or less trouble free then I dont mind. Like I said, if my wife passes her test soon she'll be getting the car and I will go for something else (to suit my needs). If at after one year I can pull in £1200+ for the car I'll take it. Failing that I'll trade it in for a newer 7-seater (once I have saved up the money).

[The Birdman]

This might help -

http://www.peugeotforums.com/forums/mai ... 100-13017/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[shooey]

Well its been an eventful evening in PF (Particle Filter) world...

I took the 307 to my local mechanic who had 'Tony the french car expert' look at the car. He plugged his SNAP-ON diagnostic computer into the 307 and ran a cleaning program on the PF. The car revved at about 4000rpm for around 5 minutes, then he restarted the car/computer and repeated the program (this time it lasted about 2 or 3 minutes). He started the car, cleared the ECU light and Antipollution message and all seemed fine. Car revved nicely and pulled like I expected it to. However, it lasted about 15 minutes before the light and message reappeared and I was back to limp mode.

I took the car back to tony and he said the additive now needs topping up (I assume because it all got used during the clean?). The other mechanic (my main one) said only the dealer can supply the additive. So I should get the additive from the dealer tomorrow and also enquire as to how much they charge to re-fill it. My mechanic said he could fill it up for me but it was awkward.

The mechanic had some taxi driver in the garage who was getting his taxi fixed. That guy said he had the exact same problem with his fiat doblo (disabled access taxi) this week. He told me he took the PF to a particular car wash who cleaned it with acid and jet washed it!

So it looks like:

1) Get the additive from the dealer (and get them to refill the tank if its a reasonable price);
2) Take the 307 to my mechanic to remove the PF;
3) Take the PF to the car wash for an acid jet wash;
4) Get the PF re-fitted;
5) Get back on with my life... with hopefully no more problems.