Help. DPF, dealer confused.

[Citroenrelay2016]

2016 Citroen relay, 2.0 blue hdi.

(Location: France, Sens, Molinons)

Last resort here, I'll start from the beginning.

So, we venture from the UK after an MOT to go to France, along the way the EML comes up, this proceeds to become rather lumpy and limp mode kicks in. We drive to a near by Aire in the camper, and there's a Renault garage near by. In a few days they were able to tow us up the road to them and plug in, telling me the fault codes were for an EGR fault but they couldn't help more and I needed to go to Citroen. So I got towed to Citroen a few miles down the road and they change the EGR valve.. that code clears and then another code comes up, relating to the DPF.. they tell me cause the EGR is bad it made the DPF bad and then ofc quoted me to repair.
I tried to clean it myself with some solution you pour but they were unable to reset it or so. (Alot is lost in translation as I do not speak french and I only have Google translate)
So, I give them a go ahead for the work a week later or so and they order parts, they eventually arrive and they slowly get the work done.
I have been in France 4 weeks almost, mostly at this garage to give an idea.
The parts are fitted and they have still an EML and problems with the DPF... Then I notice the exhaust was sticking further out than normal when they returned from a test drive.. they'd crumpled it up and bent it and also bend the double skin under the sills. Great. So I point this out and they do a real shoddy job of hammering the exhaust out and the sill.. it's not how it was and looks quite unprofessional.

They also proceed to tell me that they have a problem with the DPF high low pressure sensor and it's not calibrating. They're blaming the fact it's not original Citroen parts (I didnt know it wouldn't be OEM) They said they've taken it out but it out for a drive with no power loss and that I should drive it around and the EML MIGHT go off by itself.

Please advise me. I've lost a lot of faith in this garage and I don't want to drive off which could be interpreted as accepted a completed job or so.

I want to speak to them when they reopen and ask them to replace this exhaust they've crushed up and badly reshaped also.

Tldr: DPF issue, Citroen replaced dpf, pressure sensor and still problems carry on, they have no clue apart from "drive the van and hope the light goes out"


Thanks everyone

Chris

[RichardW]

Sorry to hear the tale of woe. Worrying how bad some outfits are! Without fault codes difficult to give any real advice - except find another garage!

[Citroenrelay2016]

Thanks Richard. I've emailed the next closest Citroen garage for some information. It's a first I've heard that "I should drive around and maybe the eml clears as the sensor will calibrate itself", never knew dpf pressure sensors did this and he didnt seem overly confident in his summary either. They put it down as beging a non OEM part but I didn't even expect them to use non gen parts to complete the work.. well the next garage over is 35kms away. I just want the work I paid for completed, so far I don't see the work done, just parts thrown on the vehicle.

[PaulC5]

I would buy a cheap code reader so you can get the codes yourself. Also put your location on here and there may be somebody who can suggest a better garage since it appears the one you are using is not good and may end up causing more expense/damage. I have read on here if a DPF is replaced the vehicle needs a diagnostic to tell it the DPF has been replaced so maybe this is the problem they are having so the fault code is not clearing.

[Citroenrelay2016]

Will edit op with location

[Citroenrelay2016]

I would buy a cheap code reader so you can get the codes yourself. Also put your location on here and there may be somebody who can suggest a better garage since it appears the one you are using is not good and may end up causing more expense/damage. I have read on here if a DPF is replaced the vehicle needs a diagnostic to tell it the DPF has been replaced so maybe this is the problem they are having so the fault code is not clearing.

We're in France, near Sens, well half hour drive from there, thats where another main dealer is, whom I've emailed to ask for some advice..
I've watched several YTs with O'Rileys and have some ideas of how dpfs work etc, I've asked the "technician" and he said he's reset the filter but continues to have a note on the system for the pressure sensor. Not sure if a cheap handheld will pick up this note but worth it I guess

[Citroenrelay2016]

P2453 and p2453 00
Have come up, the dealer gave me the tech note about performing an extended test drive myself, after 120kms I have returned but they're not sure what to say. They informed me the new sensor was inspected for live feed, and pipes were checked for blocks and leaks...

[MGmike]

Not sure if a cheap handheld will pick up this note but worth it I guess

Buy a Topdon VCI like this if you can find one nearby
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TOPDON-Bluetoo ... MATED&th=1

This will read way more than a simple reader and has more functionality than you'll ever need.

[MGmike]

P2453 and p2453 00

these do point to a DPF sensor fault but I suspect it might be as a result of the botched work on the DPF/Exhaust.
See https://www.bmcatalysts.co.uk/app/uploa ... -Guide.pdf for further explanation but don't panic when you read the possible symptoms

It's hard to advise what to do as, for me, the next step is to get in to live data to see what the pressure sensor output is. If the sensor has the correct supply voltage and earth connection then the only possible issues would appear to be with the output of the sensor or the ECU/PCM input. But I wouldn't be changing an ECU without a lot more investigative work to confirm.

Can the garage recommend a good auto electrician to do the investigation?

[Citroenrelay2016]

P2453 and p2453 00

these do point to a DPF sensor fault but I suspect it might be as a result of the botched work on the DPF/Exhaust.
See https://www.bmcatalysts.co.uk/app/uploa ... -Guide.pdf for further explanation but don't panic when you read the possible symptoms

It's hard to advise what to do as, for me, the next step is to get in to live data to see what the pressure sensor output is. If the sensor has the correct supply voltage and earth connection then the only possible issues would appear to be with the output of the sensor or the ECU/PCMinput. But I wouldn't be changing an ECU without a lot more investigative work to confirm.

Can the garage recommend a good auto electrician to do the investigation?

The dealer are no questioning if the sensor they fitted was the correct one, as the live data shows no change in pressure, so they say. They've ordered alternatives to try it out.

Thanks for the link.

The crumpled up exhaust has since been replaced by new. *Rolls eyes*

Is there some particular work you're referring to as botched?

5th week at this garage. Little fed up as the plans haven't just been altered slightly but more so dramatically. Thanks