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benjaminjung1

Mini Cooper Diesel DPF Warning Light

Alright, so I've got a bit of a head-scratcher with my 2020 Mini Cooper diesel. It's got about 192904 km on the clock, and I'm getting a warning light in the speedometer related to the diesel particulate filter. The code says exhaust pressure is too low. Performance is down, it smokes when I accelerate, and there's a strong exhaust smell. From my research, it seems like the exhaust back pressure sensor might be the culprit, and that the repair could be around 245€. Does this sound right, or am I missing something obvious with the emission control system?

4 comment(s)

petereagle9

Sounds familiar! I had similar DPF issues with my Skoda, though the symptoms weren't exactly the same – mine mostly struggled on inclines. The 'pressure too low' error is interesting though. Before jumping to conclusions about the sensor, have you checked for any exhaust leaks? A small crack or loose connection could also cause a pressure drop. Is the smoke black or more of a greyish color?

benjaminjung1 (Author)

Thanks for the quick response! I did a quick visual check for exhaust leaks, but didn't spot anything obvious. Maybe I need to look more closely. As for the smoke, it's definitely more on the black side. Does that point more towards a leak or something else entirely?

petereagle9

Black smoke suggests unburnt fuel, which could mean the sensor is providing incorrect readings to the ECU, messing with the fuel mixture. If you can't find any leaks, it's probably best to get it properly diagnosed. A faulty pressure sensor will definitely cause DPF issues and reduced engine power. It's not an incredibly complex repair, but messing with the diesel engine emission control system without proper tools can cause more harm than good. At least you have a rough idea of the cost now, so you can check that the workshop is not overcharging you.

benjaminjung1 (Author)

Just wanted to give a quick update. Took the Mini to a local garage, and they confirmed it was indeed the exhaust back pressure sensor. They replaced it, ran a diagnostic, and cleared the error codes. Car is running like a champ again! Total cost was 245€, which is what I expected. Thanks again for your help!

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