[Vennwood]

Hi All,
After one weeks ownership of my D300 HSE I have mixed feelings. First of all the car is superb however after around 200 miles I got an Amber engine management warning light on. No loss of power so no limp home mode but worrying nevertheless. Took it into local dealer only to discover that the error relates to the DPF. They said that analysis of the fuel detected diesel in the engine oil and asked how long since the engine and filter had been changed. (one month it says on the service invoice) They reset the error code and asked me to drive over 40mph for 20 mins to clear the system and if this does not work then I need the DPF cleaning and if this doesn't work then a replacement of the DPF.
Can anyone explain what is going on here. Why does this happen? Is this a serious fault?
Thanks in advance

 

[Fenton]

New or pre-owned?
If pre-owned and if the previous user did lots of short journeys the DPF re-gen may not have been completed.
This is common with many new-ish diesels (post 2015?) not just JLR.

That's what the >40mph 20 mins is for. I'd be tempted to give it longer than that. Almost an Italian tune-up.
It needs to get the exhaust DPF system hot enough and for long enough to 'burn off' the particulates and dump them on the bonnet of the car behind haha (kidding).
You can research this on many websites. Have a look.

Seems to be mixed messages. Do you mean analysis of the oil, not "analysis of the fuel"?
Was it a proper analysis of the oil (or fuel) or was it the mechanic's nose?

Do the re-gen run as soon as you can or it'll get worse to the point where the Dealer/workshop can't clean it.
I had exactly this with my old Evoque during 2020 lockdown and eventually had to part with £1700 for new DPF and EGR. Pain.

Possibly a third-party experienced mechanic could actually clean the DPF, I've seen examples for non-JLR diesels but I don't know how effective long-term it is.
Replacement is easiest, quickest and most profitable for Dealers. So perhaps visit an independent for a second opinion and test.

Go for a nice spin after tea and good luck.

BTW: is this problem not under warranty?

 

[Vennwood]

New or pre-owned?
If pre-owned and if the previous user did lots of short journeys the DPF re-gen may not have been completed.
This is common with many new-ish diesels (post 2015?) not just JLR.

That's what the >40mph 20 mins is for. I'd be tempted to give it longer than that. Almost an Italian tune-up.
It needs to get the exhaust DPF system hot enough and for long enough to 'burn off' the particulates and dump them on the bonnet of the car behind haha (kidding).
You can research this on many websites. Have a look.

Seems to be mixed messages. Do you mean analysis of the oil, not "analysis of the fuel"?
Was it a proper analysis of the oil (or fuel) or was it the mechanic's nose?

Do the re-gen run as soon as you can or it'll get worse to the point where the Dealer/workshop can't clean it.
I had exactly this with my old Evoque during 2020 lockdown and eventually had to part with £1700 for new DPF and EGR. Pain.

Possibly a third-party experienced mechanic could actually clean the DPF, I've seen examples for non-JLR diesels but I don't know how effective long-term it is.
Replacement is easiest, quickest and most profitable for Dealers. So perhaps visit an independent for a second opinion and test.

Go for a nice spin after tea and good luck.

BTW: is this problem not under warranty?

Thanks for the information. To answer your questions in order
Velar is 2017 so pre-owned with 39K miles. Only done 300 miles since January (owner a pilot on long hauls so I'm told)
The light came on after a 80+ mile run up the A1 so surprised that didn't burn off the particulates
Yes I mean the oil but didn't see how this analysis was arrived at so mechanics word
Yes its under warranty but I suspect they will opt for the cheapest solution
I would have thought the run (80+ x 2) would have sorted it out
Looking at the MOT/service history mileage the car has only done 3,500 miles in past 18 months presumablt due to COVID restrictions so maybe its gunged up for real
How successful is "cleaning the DPF"? What I don't want is this to happen again soon after warranty expires

 

[Vennwood]

Just to add to the story. I bought the car from a non LR dealer so taking it to a LR dealer isn't the best as "you didn't buy the car from us" creeps into the saga. I have found a local LR specialist so will see what they have to say. I'm trying not to get too worked up as I don't want to fall foul of the selling dealer as they are some 150 miles away so its not that I can just pop it back into them.

 

[Fenton]

This is a bit of a memory test for me so here goes... apologies for long ramble.

Evoque 2litre Ingenium:
After lots of 2 mile trips a text message appeared on the display telling me to run the car for 20 minutes @ >40mph.
I do so and problem went away. Hurrah!
Then 2020 Covid came along preventing me from going on weekend blasts to clear the cobwebs.
After a few weeks of 2 mile trips into work the amber engine light came on just like you have with your Velar.
But mine went into Limp Mode.

A very slow 35 mile trip to Dealer followed where, apparently, they couldn't re-gen the DPF.
And worse, it had buggered the EGR.
A week later I parted with £1700.
Oh, and by the way, I was 2 months outside warranty so there was no debate. Damn!

Unfortunately, after all that blather, I can't explain why a 160 mile round trip hasn't sorted yours.
This presumes the sensor or connection isn't faulty and that it has nothing to do with Ad Blu.
I suspect (total guess) that the DPF is beyond DIY clean (re-gen) as it looks like the previous owner did lots of short trips.
Short trips are the worst thing for most Diesels which have a DPF (Ad Blu). And most people aren't aware of this which is not their fault.

If you can't clean it with a good spin and it clogs even more then it could go into limp mode.

A proper LR workshop or experienced independent may be able to sort it as there appears to be slightly heavier-duty re-gen/cleaning method used by Dealerships. Emphasis on 'may'. Naturally, it's in their interest to flog you a new one.
Be prepared for a hefty bill if they can't re-gen it.
It's a horrible feeling but don't entirely blame the Velar.

It's partly the Dealer's fault and potentially the Driver if they don't follow advice in the unlikely event that it is given.
People should be made aware at time of purchase that the DPF needs a blast every now and then.
Check the Nerdynet, there are hundreds of cases related to a variety of manufacturers.

As I mentioned previously, I have seen (YouTubes) and other Forums where people have ,allegedly, cleaned DPFs with some kind of solvent.
I'm sure if you search you'll find something.
Whether the solvent cleaning is any good and whether it lasts I have no idea.
You'll also have to find someone with a box to clear your error/trouble codes.

Good luck and I hope a decent independent mechanic can fix it for a reasonable price.
But first, a good 30 minute blast.

 

[Vennwood]

Many thanks Fenton for your detailed reply. Certainly gives me food for thought and amunition to use with the selling dealer.

 

[Vennwood]

3rd good blast completed but warning light back on so I guess the system regen isn't working so on to option 2 - filter clean however I am going to push for a replacement as I don't want this happening every couple of months

 

[Fenton]

Oh dear. Yes, go for warranty replacement. Far better than questionable chemical clean.
It certainly seems like the clogging was mainly done before you owned it and before the Garage had it on sale.
I wonder if the DPF fault code has an associated date-stamp when it first happened?
Maybe the garage accidentally cleared the faut code.

It may be a load of guff but I saw a 'Historical' fault code list on Rainman Ray's Repairs garage Youtube when using a Snap-On Apollo scanner.
But I didn't notice if date-stamped.
Hopefully, the vendor garage will sort it under Warranty and there won't be any worries.
What a pain.
Good luck.

 

[maitology]

nice long drive, then, separately, a proper Italian tune up. Then have a look. If it's under warranty, replace away. If not, DPFs are expensive so there are other options.

 

[Vennwood]

nice long drive, then, separately, a proper Italian tune up. Then have a look. If it's under warranty, replace away. If not, DPFs are expensive so there are other options.

Hi What are the other options other than cleaning and trying to burn it off? I'm thinking that with altogether three reasonably long trips (one of over 100 miles and two of over 80 miles) "the burn it off option" ship has sailed.

 

[maitology]

Hi What are the other options other than cleaning and trying to burn it off? I'm thinking that with altogether three reasonably long trips (one of over 100 miles and two of over 80 miles) "the burn it off option" ship has sailed.

Replacing it. But I suppose the point is, shop around. Get a second opinion. Get a second hand DPF. Anything but roll into a main dealer and get the to order you a new OEM DPF.

 

[Fenton]

Have you tried finding a DPF cleaning service for their advice? Or an independent garage or experienced mechanic?
Example:
Off-Car DPF Cleaning Centre - UK DPF Cleaning

I have no idea about how good they are or the costs. I just typed 'landrover DPF cleaning' into Google.
You'll need to do something rather than getting stuck in limp mode.
It's no fun if it happens.

 

[Vennwood]

I've made progress in that first of all the dealer offered to collect the car and leave me a courtesy car while they took it back to their dealership (non LR) and "sorted it out" I suggested they took it back and returned my money under the Buying Car Online "Consumer Contracts act (2013)* Strangley enough it worked so the car is now booked in to my local LR Specialist Although I haven't used him in the past I do believe he is a straight guy. I have agreed to try out a full clean with the guarantee that if it goes again within 6 months they will replace the DPF I'll keep you posted

 

[Fenton]

That sounds like a very positive start. Good.

 

[maitology]

It's no fun if it happens.

And if you stay in limp for too long it can permanently damage the engine, depending on what's wrong.

 

[Vennwood]

After waiting 10 days for a slot I have finally got my Velar back and so far all is well. They didn't replace the DPF but "ultra sonic" cleaned it then told the engine management system it was a new DPF. Almost as a by-product this has fixed the software issues with the indicator lack of noise and the cameras not working. They even fixed the slow puncture in the O/S rear tyre (which turned out to be a leaking valve). So over the next week or two I will be able to get to know how everything works (hopefully). I still need my software update as I don't know what version running. One step at a time though.