E60 2005 530dA - low mpg caused by DPF getting clogged up?
#1
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Hey all,
Recently with the cold winter weathers here, I found that my consumption has gone really bad on my 530d - it's around 16L/100km on urban driving. Used to be around 10 or even less. I'm driving very gently, so no hard foot etc. On highway it's about 6.3L/100km, which looks OK. Temperatures are from -5C to -15C here currently. Dont think this winter temp. could cause that bad mpg drop though?
I got both thermostats replaced half year ago, so that aint a problem (coolant temp reaches 90C). My trips are very short on urban driving though: 2km and back mostly, everyday. Still dont think short trips could cause that low mpg.. as I said, it used to be around 10L or less, per 100km. Every weekend I mostly do a 260km trip to countryside aswell.
I'm suspecting the DPF myself. Half year ago I got diagnosed a faulty DPF backpressure sensor, but never really bothered to get it done so far yet. Could this be the cause? Read on some other threads recently, that when DPF starts to get clogged up, it will affect the consumption pretty much. Perhaps DPF has not regenerated at all, because DPF sensor has been faulty? I'm getting this DPF sensor fixxed now, and will let them to start the regeneration manually, to see if it helps. Or it might be already too late for that.. and I shall get the DPF "washed/cleaned" aswell?
Looking forward to hear your thoughts on this case!
Cheers.
Recently with the cold winter weathers here, I found that my consumption has gone really bad on my 530d - it's around 16L/100km on urban driving. Used to be around 10 or even less. I'm driving very gently, so no hard foot etc. On highway it's about 6.3L/100km, which looks OK. Temperatures are from -5C to -15C here currently. Dont think this winter temp. could cause that bad mpg drop though?
I got both thermostats replaced half year ago, so that aint a problem (coolant temp reaches 90C). My trips are very short on urban driving though: 2km and back mostly, everyday. Still dont think short trips could cause that low mpg.. as I said, it used to be around 10L or less, per 100km. Every weekend I mostly do a 260km trip to countryside aswell.
I'm suspecting the DPF myself. Half year ago I got diagnosed a faulty DPF backpressure sensor, but never really bothered to get it done so far yet. Could this be the cause? Read on some other threads recently, that when DPF starts to get clogged up, it will affect the consumption pretty much. Perhaps DPF has not regenerated at all, because DPF sensor has been faulty? I'm getting this DPF sensor fixxed now, and will let them to start the regeneration manually, to see if it helps. Or it might be already too late for that.. and I shall get the DPF "washed/cleaned" aswell?
Looking forward to hear your thoughts on this case!
Cheers.
#2
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Hi.
I think your diagnosing sounds good. It may be because of the DPF. Do what you're about to do and see if the forced regeneration will start and clean the DPF.
- Antti -
I think your diagnosing sounds good. It may be because of the DPF. Do what you're about to do and see if the forced regeneration will start and clean the DPF.
- Antti -
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By the way, is a regen possible at all, without the backpressure sensor?
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A clogged DPF can result in power loss or then not. The symptoms vary a lot.
I don't know about the need of the backpressure sensor for the regeneration, sorry.
- Antti -
I don't know about the need of the backpressure sensor for the regeneration, sorry.
- Antti -
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My Ride: 2004 E61 530D - Dynamic Drive - Active Front Steering Sport Seats - Voice Control - Head Up Display - Nav Pro - Bluetooth - Panoramic roof - Front/rear heated seats
If I were you I'd get a bicycle for those <10 minute trips and take the car on those country trips (will be good for the health of both of you )
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Those very short trips, especially stop&go urban traffic, are very detrimental to a big diesel with dpf. I'm not very knowledgeable on the Baltic climate but assume that it is often quite cold as well, meaning that it probably runs way below optimum temp. most of the time. Besides the filter problems this also increases wear and fuel consumption considerably.
If I were you I'd get a bicycle for those <10 minute trips and take the car on those country trips (will be good for the health of both of you )
If I were you I'd get a bicycle for those <10 minute trips and take the car on those country trips (will be good for the health of both of you )
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