Repeated Failed Regenerations
The car keeps starting active regenerations that never complete — rising fuel use, hot smells, a fan that runs on, and a warning that eventually stays on. Every aborted regen leaves more soot behind than a completed one removes.
What commonly causes it
- ·Journeys ending mid-regen (the classic urban/short-run pattern)
- ·Regen preconditions failing: low fuel, coolant temperature never reached, glow plug faults
- ·Ash base-load so high that regens trigger constantly
- ·On PSA/Ford FAP systems: empty Eolys additive tank silently stopping effective regeneration
Test this before blaming the DPF
- ·Regen frequency and completion history via diagnostics — the pattern tells the story
- ·Soot vs ash load if available
- ·On PSA/Ford 1.6 units, additive tank level and dosing counters
Will cleaning fix it?
Yes, when the cycle is driven by accumulated ash shrinking usable capacity — cleaning resets the base load so completed regens work again. The duty-cycle side (journey pattern) still needs addressing or the interval will shorten again.
Engines this disproportionately affects
Check your vehicle & get a quote
Enter your registration — we'll identify the exact unit and give you the correct recommendation for this fault.
Vehicle data from the DVSA MOT history service. We confirm the exact unit on inspection. Privacy
Test evidence
Every unit is flow- and pressure-tested before and after cleaning. You get the readings, photo evidence and a completion certificate with the unit — proof for you and your customer, not marketing numbers.