Coolcity

I don't know because I've only just got it, and it has new tyres on it. I've had a quick word with a local garage (who just happens to have the gear to do DPF revamps too which is handy to know), he seems to think it's either tracking or balancing too but I've booked it in with them for a check next week just to be sure. They're also going to do a diag on the DPF so we'll have a better idea what sort of state that is in. 

On 4/26/2021 at 10:55 AM, Old Peter said:

I have had my S type 2.7D[07 plate] for 8 years and I have never had the DPF amber light come on.  I do a lot of short runs, particularly when the Covid virus lockdowns are in force.

I use premium fuel and an additive which keeps the fuel system clean.  I also try to have a run at over 45 mph for about 30 minutes once a week. 100mph is not necessary, especially in an area that has motorways are often have  limited  speeds due to the amount of traffic at most times.

 

Which additive do you recommend Peter? I know some people are against them, but they've been around for a long time now and I think there would have been repercussions if they had any adverse effect. 

For the record, picked the car up yesterday with the orange DPF light on. I know it's been sat at the dealers for around 3 months and if it's been out at all it would have only been on short test runs.  It also has only 52k miles on the clock so on an 09 plate that suggests it's probably been used for short journeys more often than long ones (although there were a few addresses stored in the sat nav that were quite some distance apart - Birmingham, Glasgow and Newcastle upon Tyne, and the last owner was based in W. Sussex. 

Anyway, I extended the motorway run home to around 50m but it didn't clear. This morning I put some Wynns DPF Cleaner in the tank and filled it up with Shell V-Plus or whatever it's called. Went on a longer run, varying the speeds from around 50 to 80 as somebody suggested earlier, pulled into the services at around 50 miles to go to the loo and when I came back and restarted it the light was off. I've done around 80 miles since, 30 of that in town, and it's OK so far. 

On 1/8/2019 at 7:44 PM, TJM said:

So after many hours online last night and this morning I decided that as I have some time left on MOT I would pick the car up today from the Jaguar Specialist I am using in Leatherhead, Surrey with a plan to get the DPF cleaned by a specialist the figures seemed to be circa £500

A lengthy conversation was had on collection about DPF's generally as I was clearly not happy that the only option offered to me was replacement at £1800 and several things emerged.

1, Jaguar will apparently be offering re-conditioned DPF's as an option to brand new later this year. (Christmas time 2019 was the given time frame)

2. DPF Cleaning may actually be a worthwhile option.

3. I found 'used' Jag XF DPF's on ebay around £250 but they are obviously an unknown - specialist warned against it as he would but in the future this may be your only option - this could be an option for you to get car through an MOT perhaps.

The specialist I am using had done some homework on the subject over the past 24h and had identified a DPF cleaning company - he had also telephoned some of their clients VAG and BMW and had got positive reports on the process, he will essentially be removing the dpf from the car, the company will collect and clean it using an industrial machine and then return it the next day to be refitted.

The specialist also said that he will then update the engine management software as there is an update available for my 2014 XF and he 'expects' that this will provide some improved handling for DPF cleaning but he will only install this update after the work is complete.

This will cost me £600 inc vat which also includes the re-test and the £65 software update.

There is an option in the JLR software to tell the car that it has a new DPF but this can be dangerous if mis-used and will only happen if the DPF is essentially very very clean after the return from the specialist DPF cleaning bods.

The specialist cleaning co. will provide before and after readings on the DPF I think this is pressure readings from the fore and aft sensors so it should clear what benefit the clean has provided.

my DPF is apparently currently above 60% full but the exact figure is not known as the JLR software only shows the true figure during a regen

As I have mentioned there was NO PRIOR WARNING before this Red error - I was told this sometimes happens so JLR inbuilt XF monitoring software is clearly flawed as it really should show the an amber warning first.

The soot level 1 year ago was 0.3g but when I checked despite some long journeys the latter half of 2018 actually saw only short journeys mainly within m25/London and on A roads in sussex so my driving habits have to change.

*** For info ***
Halfords now offer a DPF cleaning service for £85 or £120 advanced - this involves removing a sensor in the front of the DPF unit and directly injecting a chemical cocktail into a dpf using a lance this will apparently breakdown the buildup and allow it to burn off - they do this several times - I wont be doing this at halfords  but mention it as its the cheapest service I found and shows just what a problem clogged DPF's have become to the UK populous.

 

I really truly believe that all JLR diesel vehicles (and indeed all other diesel vehicle manufacturers) should have their infotainment systems updated to show DPF level - this option could be hidden in the menu system so that only those owners who want it would turn it on but this really is a must - I'd want to see a % figure or at least some kind of progress bar and an indication when a DPF clean is in progress even if just a colour change on the % figure - an option to initiate a clean would just be the holy grail!

Sadly though JLR have a vested interest in keeping the software in its current infant state so they can just keep charging customers for new DPF's - the availability later this year (2019) of recon DPF's is somewhat telling but I wouldn't hold your breath for a fix for this.

Will update next week after the works are complete.

I know this thread is a couple of years old, but I would be surprised if the service offered by Halfords is much different from the one the specialist is using. 

While I admit I'm no expert, at the end of the day it's only a matter of cleaning the accumulated soot out of the DPF.

Well I never knew that. You learn something every day! 

Agreed, my intention is to check what they are and that they are correct rather than just go with using a different level. It's just interesting that he has the same 19in wheel upgrade, the same model and it happens at exactly the same speed which suggests that whatever it is, it's the same issue. 

It feels more like tracking to me. 

That's interesting, I might check the tyre pressures. I noticed this on mine earlier today at 70mph. Mine is an 09 plate with 19 inch wheels too. 

I'm interested in this too, I have exactly the same thing. Just picked the car up today and noticed it at around 70mph on the way home, but it doesn't seem to be there when accelerating, just holding a steady speed. Mine's an 09 XF 3.0 diesel. 

What are slam vents?

Finally got the car, and overall I'm very pleased with it, it certainly exceeds my expectations and I can't remember the last time I said that about a car. 

There are a couple of niggles though, but nothing too serious I don't think. 

1. "DPF Full, See Handbook" warning was on when I picked it up. I suspected early on this might be an issue as it's only been used for short journeys presumably, having only done around 3-4000 miles a year. I drove around 40-50 miles on the motorway but it hasn't cleared, so I'll try again tomorrow and then get a diagnostic test done locally before contacting the dealer. 

2. There was a light vibration, noticeable from around 70 mph but only when "cruising", not when accelerating. feels as though it could be wheel balancing.

3. Got to the filling station and couldn't open the filler flap, so came home to read the handbook and check online and it seems to be a common fault. However, I've read that if the passive alarm is selected it locks the fuel filler door even if the rest of the car is unlocked, if I've understood it correctly, so it may be that. Seems odd though that you would have to change the alarm setting just to open the fuel cap?

I know. 

The reason I'm asking is it specs WSS-M2C934B ONLY but when you're looking online the descriptions rarely actually show the relevant spec. 

Well tomorrow's the day. I pick up the car around lunchtime. Seems OK, just over 50k miles on an 09 plate so I'm going to get the DPF checked for one thing as it may have done a lot of short journeys. I've been a little apprehensive all week, but mostly because I have a deep seated mistrust of used car dealers. But I've convinced myself that even if the dealer turns out to be iffy, it doesn't mean it's a bad car. Probably just me as I'm a bit of a stresshead and I tend to worry about everything, but it comes with a warranty so should be fine. 

4 minutes ago, Ryan26 said:

Finally changed the fuel filter, unfortunately hasn’t solved it. Continues to start and run perfectly with no lack of power for around 20 seconds, then the rpm drops and engine stalls. Could this be anything to do with the fuel gauge permanently reading empty, making the car think it has no fuel when it actually has a full tank. Or as previously mentioned, debris in the system repeatedly being pulled back through. 

That would be my best guess, but I'm no mechanic and just trying to think logically. It definitely sounds like some sort of fuel starvation issue - or at least that's what the computer thinks is the problem - maybe the computer is telling the engine to shut down as there's no fuel going to it, even though there is.  Seems a hell of a coincidence to me that it's cutting out and the gauge is reading zero. 

Might be worth a look on Youtube, the Americans in particular like to post vids of every little fault they find with cars. There just might be something on there. 

This doesn't help your particular problem, but it could be useful to bear in mind for a lot of people. I've been reading about fuel additive treatments, in particular by BG who I found when looking at the member's discounts section, and as well as the fuel/oil additives sounding like a better proposition than using diesel fuel, they also have a product that can clean a DPF. 

Better to read the article than me waffle on about it, but it sounds like it could be a cheaper option than going to a DPF specialist cleaner:

‘Talking ‘bout Regeneration’ | BG Products (GB)

UPDATE: I spoke to a registered stockists about BG products and he said they'd stopped selling them because, and I quote, "they were a load of crap and didn't work".

2 hours ago, Jon Hyde said:

after all, it isn't a major hassle to pull the stalk toward you if you spot a car coming.......

 

 

True, but it's amazing how many seem to forget to. 

First job I had from leaving school, the guy I worked for had a DS. I remember I was never going to buy anything else! 😅

On the pittance we were on then though I couldn't even afford a pushbike. 

I'm early 60's too, seems to be a theme developing here!

Although my missus doesn't drive (and doesn't like going fast, which to her is anything over 40), she likes to know what all the buttons are for. The one with the chequered flag on is going to be tricky....

Can anybody recommend an Oil for the 3.0d V6?

Having never had a diesel car it must be 10+ years since I've bought any Oil other than on a service. 

Well I guess they do offer some protection and save an otherwise expensive repair bill. 

Has anyone tried those on eBay for around £35? OEM prices are, as usual, extortionate for a piece of plastic. I'd rather have chrome than black as it stands out more, but it defeats the object if they look cheap and nasty.  

I knew HIDs were, wasn't sure about LEDs. It's probably one of those they would never actually bother you for. When I bought my current car it had blue LED sidelights and I left them in until one failed, 4 or 5 years later. I drove past the main police HQ every day for years, and there are always police cars around. Never once got pulled up - nor for the dog standing on the centre armrest. He was strapped in, but you couldn't really see that from outside the car. Never failed an MOT for the bulbs either. 

"There is an option in the JLR software to tell the car that it has a new DPF but this can be dangerous if mis-used and will only happen if the DPF is essentially very very clean after the return from the specialist DPF cleaning bods...."

That's interesting. I wonder if the warning system is based on averages, in the same way that an inkjet printer will tell you that your ink cartridge is running low when in fact there's probably around 50% left in it, because they use page counts x average ink used per page, rather than measure the actual  amount of ink used. 

In other words you could get a warning when there's really nothing wrong at all. I'll be looking at the one I've just bought when I pick it up in a few days' time, as it's an 09 model but has only done just over 50,000 miles - well below average mileage - so has probably done a lot of short journeys. 

I recently had a new custom exhaust put on by MIJ Exhausts in Walsall (on a Volvo S60 petrol), only because it needed doing and it was actually cheaper than replacing it with an original exhaust, and I thought it sounded great for a while but the increased drone gets on your nerves after a while on a long journey, so think carefully before you do get anything done. 

Wise not to void the insurance as if you're pulled by the police, they could and probably would impound it if it's checked and found to have any sort of alterations not declared to the insurance people. Happened to a mate of mine just because he'd stuck a wing/spoiler on the back, something I never knew (though I would imagine you would get away with one of those slim stick on ones).  

As for these sort of faults, I'm not expert but an HGV diesel mechanic I used to know who could practically dismantle and rebuild a diesel engine blindfold reckoned that 95% of problems were because people never change the fuel filters. 

Yes, I figured. No problem, I probably should have worded it better, I wasn't entirely sure what they were called. 

Yes, just read elsewhere that it had to be Portfolio spec to get the Xenons. I did look for one but couldn't find anything in my price range, except for very high mileage so I took the option of missing a few toys but with much lower mileage, which is probably more important. I still have that LED upgrade kit if the lights are that bad, and if that doesn't fit I can resell it and buy the correct one. They're not that expensive.

That's interesting, I've never really heard any complaints about the lights but it seems to be something I'm always unlucky with, whenever I replace my car the lights always seem to be worse than on the previous car. At least it's the right time of year so I have time to do something about it. 

Mine is the 09 Premium Lux version so I'm hoping it has the Xenon lights, but I'll know in a couple of days. 

That's fair comment, especially if they knew about the problem. In that case they should have stated that upfront. I'm probably thinking as an online retailer so I see it from both sides. 

I've heard other people who have switched cars say that they find their new car with LEDs are not as good as what they had previously. Does make you wonder if it's a bit of a sales gimmick.

On 10/31/2020 at 1:41 PM, Apriliaman2000 said:

I changed the bulbs to H7 LED. Ones with the inbuilt fan. My main issue was obtaining the different retaining clips, dip and main beam use different clips and different again to the standard ones. The bulbs were sold as a direct “plug and play” replacement, so I was not amused when I found I had to start again. I did get a 50% discount on the bulbs as it was an obvious trade description infringement. Now main beam is very good and dip is cleaner if a bit to white for me. 

Old post I know, but I've been curious about this as I've just bought a 2009 XF and have no idea which type of lights it comes with, i.e. halogen or xenon. Spec descriptions seem vague and say "some models" come with HID/Xenon, but don't specify which ones. Anyway, I have a pack of aftermarket LEDs for my last car which I never got around to fitting and I think they're the same one, H7 so we'll see.

But I do have some sympathy with aftermarket parts manufacturers, as the parts are generic and meant to cover a range of cars. However, as you found out the XF has different retaining clips and there's no way an aftermarket seller or manufacturer can go through every possible variant of every possible car and know if they're actually going to fit or not for certain, especially given what I said in the first sentence. I'm surprised they didn't have a disclaimer on their site (or maybe they did and the sales assistant wasn't aware of it).

This sort of thing isn't usually an "obvious trade description infringement", it simply happens for the reasons stated and I think buyers should be a little more tolerant of this sort of issue - you would have been entitled to a full refund, but if you're asking an aftermarket manufacturer and/or retailer to know what Bulb fits every vehicle (and technically it did, it was just the clips that were the issue), then I just think people are asking too much and should be prepared for this sort of issue.