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MAZDA5 - DPF
mad4x4 - 28/12/11 at 04:42 PM

Any one know about the DPF (diesel partical filter) on the Mazda 5 . Our has a light flashing on the dash. Off to the main dealer next on the 4th to see what they say

Read a bit an it seems to be a "CAT" type (eco govenment enviro crap) thing.. and can be removed by some compaines ? Any one know where we can get it removed in Scotland?

[Edited on 28/1212/11 by mad4x4]


loggyboy - 28/12/11 at 05:06 PM

Diesel particulate filter, its a sort of CAT for a diesel. Quite expensive IIRC. Getting it removed would proabaly involve future issues at MOT time.
Some also involve Eolys fluid which needs replacing at full service times, (an extra £100). I was gald to find my Volvo was the right year not to have the fluid when I last serviced it!


dinosaurjuice - 28/12/11 at 05:16 PM

no issues at MOT, diesels are currently only tested for visible smoke in exhaust. Best to get it cleaned and reset, or removed and reset.

If removed (or run a drill down it..) the 'filter' will never clog and the senses will never tell the ECU its full, hence it will never moan its full etc etc.

Im not sure what ECU mazda use, but its really common on the bosch edc15's used in VAG TDI's to delete the DPF commands altogether. most good re-map companys can do this.

Will


r1_pete - 28/12/11 at 06:20 PM

If the cars use is mainly short trips, and not up to full operating temperature for long periods, try a long run at motorway speeds, some diesel ecu's are programmed to hieghten exhaust temperatures, at above 30 - 40 mph, to clean and regenerate the filter. An hour or so on the motorway could solve your problem.


cerbera - 28/12/11 at 06:35 PM

Seen this mentioned on Watchdog, but the just mentioned the Fiat 500 and Nissan Qashqai. According to them there is some info in the owners manual relating to what r1_pete said above. Kinda defeats the object of buying a small city diesel if you ask me.

[Edited on 28/12/11 by cerbera]


jase380 - 28/12/11 at 06:42 PM

A mate of mine who has a mot station always tells people who come in with the dpf light on to take the car for a blast on the motorway in 3rd gear for a few miles to get the dpf warm and burn all the shyte out.
Having said that just had mine removed from my merc, £ 400 quid for the filter removing and a remap,done by a firm called ecu flash local to me in doncaster. Car goes like stink now and is about 3mpg better on fuel, there was a bloke having his mazda 5 done as i left !


PSpirine - 28/12/11 at 07:01 PM

quote:
Originally posted by jase380
A mate of mine who has a mot station always tells people who come in with the dpf light on to take the car for a blast on the motorway in 3rd gear for a few miles to get the dpf warm and burn all the shyte out.
Having said that just had mine removed from my merc, £ 400 quid for the filter removing and a remap,done by a firm called ecu flash local to me in doncaster. Car goes like stink now and is about 3mpg better on fuel, there was a bloke having his mazda 5 done as i left !



Working for a manufacturer, I can unofficially confirm that the above method of giving it a good fast run is the "technical" fix. In fact a lot of unscrupulous dealers will charge you for taking your car for a 100mph blast on the motorway to clear the light. Nice dealers will just tell you to do so yourself.


PSpirine - 28/12/11 at 07:03 PM

quote:
Originally posted by cerbera
Seen this mentioned on Watchdog, but the just mentioned the Fiat 500 and Nissan Qashqai. According to them there is some info in the owners manual relating to what r1_pete said above. Kinda defeats the object of buying a small city diesel if you ask me.

[Edited on 28/12/11 by cerbera]



It absolutely does - modern diesels aren't designed for mainly urban use, they're optimised for 40mph +

For city use a petrol engine will work out cheaper and more reliable. A hybrid is even better (they get better mpg urban than highway!)


JAMSTER - 28/12/11 at 07:35 PM

check oil level if you min and max marks are 20mm apart you have to bring this down to 10mm and try a regen drive over 2500 rpm for around 10- 15 mins i think this regen info is in the hand book the oil level change is from autodata i've done this on mazda 6 and it works well
might be worth an oil change using low ash oil


Toprivetguns - 28/12/11 at 08:55 PM

Agreed with the short trip theory. The DPF has to reach a certain temp, usually found on motorway trips. Give her a good blast and some V-max


mad4x4 - 29/12/11 at 12:13 PM

My understanding is that the "drive" it hard method will work if the light is on solid

but light is flashing so think it is reporting some sort of fault.


mad4x4 - 9/1/12 at 07:12 PM

Back from garage today

Cost £150 Inc service

DPF - car need oil and filter change and DPF regen triggered . Nothing wrong with DPF.

So think I got off lightly