DPF Failure Causing Black Smoke in ASX Diesel

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Diesel, so I know what you're going through. I've got some experience working on cars but still rely on mechanics for complex issues. My symptoms were almost identical, black smoke, power loss, and that annoying engine light. Took it to my trusted workshop and turns out the DPF was completely clogged due to high mileage. They ended up replacing the DPF and cleaning the whole system. Set me back about 1550€, but it was worth it, car's running like new now. What's the mileage on your ASX? Also, how often do you do longer drives? This info would help me tell if you're dealing with the same problem I had.

Thanks for sharing your experience! I'm currently at 96417 KM and had my last service about 2 months ago. My driving pattern is mostly short trips around town, which I'm now realizing might've contributed to the DPF issues. I'm curious, after they replaced your DPF, did you need to change your driving habits to prevent it from happening again? I'm pretty worried about the potential cost, but it sounds like a full replacement might be the way to go if it's as badly clogged as yours was.

Hey again! Yeah, I totally get your concern about the driving habits. After my DPF replacement on my Outlander, I definitely had to change how I use the car. Look, with that kind of mileage and mostly city driving, you're in a very similar situation to what I was in. After my replacement, my mechanic gave me some solid advice that's really helped: I now make sure to take the car for a proper 20-30 minute highway run at least once a week. I try to keep it above 60 mph when I can, which helps the DPF do its regeneration thing properly. I've had zero issues since the replacement (it's been about 18 months now), but that's because I'm being much more mindful about mixing up my driving patterns. Even if I'm just doing my usual city rounds, I try to include a bit of highway driving when possible. It's a bit of a pain sometimes, but way better than facing another expensive replacement! One thing I'd suggest, before you go for the full replacement, maybe ask your mechanic about doing a forced regeneration first? It's cheaper and might solve the problem if your DPF isn't completely shot yet. But yeah, if it's as bad as mine was, replacement might be your best bet in the long run. Just keep in mind, these diesel particulate filters really don't like constant short trips. Been there, learned that the hard way!

Thanks so much for all the detailed advice! It's really helpful to hear from someone who's been through this exact situation. I'll definitely look into getting that forced regeneration done first, might save me some money if I'm lucky. And those driving tips are gold, I can definitely work a weekly highway run into my routine if it means avoiding another DPF issue. I've actually got a longer trip planned for next weekend, so I'll talk to my mechanic about checking it out before then. Better to sort this out now than end up stranded somewhere! Really appreciate you taking the time to explain everything, especially about the highway driving requirement. At least now I know what I need to do to keep this from happening again!