Land Rover Discovery: Black Smoke & DPF Regeneration Help

Hi there! I have some experience working on cars and had a very similar issue with my 2002 Range Rover Diesel (had a Freelander before that). Your symptoms sound exactly like what I dealt with. My DPF was internally damaged and couldn't regenerate anymore. The black smoke, jerking, and that nasty exhaust smell, been there! Had to take it to my trusted workshop where they diagnosed a completely defective DPF. The whole repair, including parts and labor, set me back about 1,550 Euro, but it was worth every penny as the car runs perfectly now. What's your current mileage and have you noticed any loss in power? Also, when was the last time you had a DPF regeneration cycle completed? This info would help me share more specific details about what to look out for. Hope this helps! Let me know if you need more info.

Thanks for the detailed response! Mine's at 58436 KM and just had its service last month. Yeah, I've definitely noticed power loss, especially when trying to overtake. The mechanics did try a forced regen during the service but it didn't solve the issue. It's frustrating because the problem keeps coming back even after regular maintenance. Sounds like I might be looking at a similar repair bill to yours. Did you go with OEM parts or aftermarket for the DPF replacement? Just trying to weigh my options here.

Hey again! As I mentioned before, I had this exact issue with my 2002 Range Rover. After seeing your mileage and hearing about the failed forced regen attempt, I'm even more convinced it's the same problem I faced. I actually went with OEM parts for my repair. Initially, I was tempted to save some money with aftermarket options, but my mechanic strongly advised against it. He explained that aftermarket DPFs often don't last as long and can cause other issues down the line. Sure, the OEM part was pricier, but honestly, it's been worth the extra cost, no issues whatsoever since the replacement. One thing I learned from my experience, if you do get it replaced, make sure to adjust your driving habits afterward. I now make sure to take regular longer drives to help with regeneration cycles. Short trips were actually part of what killed my original DPF. Quick tip: while you're getting the DPF replaced, have them check the EGR valve too. Mine was pretty gunked up and cleaning it made a noticeable difference in how the engine runs. Let me know what you decide to do. Always happy to share more from my experience with this!

I'll complete the conversation from's perspective: Thanks so much for all this valuable advice! You've definitely helped me make up my mind about going with OEM parts, better to do it right the first time than risk more problems later. Really appreciate the tip about the EGR valve too, I'll definitely have that checked while they're at it. I hadn't thought about how my driving habits might have contributed to the problem. I do a lot of short trips, so that's probably been pretty hard on the DPF. Will definitely try to mix in some longer drives once it's fixed. Guess I'll bite the bullet and book it in for repairs next week. It's a big expense, but sounds like it'll be worth it to get the car running properly again. Thanks again for sharing your experience, really helped me understand what I'm dealing with and what to expect. I'll update you once I get it sorted!