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AngieSunny

Nissan NV Diesel Engine Emission Issues and DPF Regeneration Concerns

DPF regeneration failure

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Strong exhaust smell

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Black smoke from exhaust on acceleration

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Loss of engine power

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Check engine light on

Hey, I've got a 2015 Nissan NV with a Diesel engine and around 167,630 KM on it. Recently, I've been seeing some black smoke from the tailpipe when I hit the gas, coupled with a glaring check engine light, bogged down engine performance, and a nasty exhaust odor. Also, my DPF doesn't seem to regenerate properly. I had a pretty bad experience with my last mechanic, so I'm trying to gather info on this. I'm thinking it might have something to do with a low-efficient particulate filter. Has anyone else run into this issue before, or have any tips on what kind of mechanic I should look for to get it fixed? Any advice would be super helpful right now. Thanks in advance!

(Translated from German)

4 comment(s)


GunterSchnei

Hey, I can totally relate to your issue. I had a similar problem with my 2018 Nissan Navara. Diesel particle filter error was showing up due to high mileage, and it was a pain. Huge amounts of black smoke and reduced engine performance. So, yes, your guess is right, it’s essentially a DPF related issue. Here's what my experience was. The DPF was not regenerating as it should, probably due to accumulated soot particles - those are the symptoms you're seeing. My mechanic suggested doing a forced regeneration first, but unfortunately, in my case it wasn't successful. He eventually had to remove the DPF to clean it manually as the last resort. As every car is different, that might not be the exact solution for you, but it sounds like a similar problem. So, the tagline here is this: replacing a DPF is a serious job to undertake, but not everyone needs a new one. You should probably look for a mechanic who specializes in diesel engines and DPF issues. Not just any mechanic can handle these properly. They should be able to help diagnose the problem more accurately and suggest a solution based on the state of the filter. Hope this helps. Good luck!

(Translated from German)

AngieSunny (Author)

Hey there, Thanks for the quick reply and sharing your experience, it's really helpful! I can see now that my hunch wasn't off the mark. Your situation sounds pretty similar to what I'm dealing with in my NV. It gives me a good starting point when I'm searching for a mechanic specializing in diesel engines and DPF issues. By the way, do you happen to recall ballpark of what it cost you for the whole fix? Also, has anything else cropped up since then related to this, or has everything been smooth sailing? Cheers!

(Translated from German)

GunterSchnei

Hey, Glad I could be of help! Yes, I have a crystal-clear memory of the cost because it wasn't exactly loose change, ha! The whole fix cost me around 1550€, so fairly hefty. The bulk of that was due to the diesel particle defect from high mileage. After that steep spend, I'm happy to report that from the time the mechanic fixed it, things have been breezy. No more horror stories, thankfully! The 'Particulate filter efficiency too low' error was thoroughly resolved. The vehicle's performance returned to its peak and all the symptoms we chatted about disappeared like magic. Hope your NV gets back in prime shape soon as well! Best of luck with it!

(Translated from German)

AngieSunny (Author)

Hey, Ouch, that's quite a chunk of change but it seems like it was well worth it for the peace of mind and no further issues. Thanks a million for sharing all this info with me, you've given me a much better idea of what to expect. I'm going to start hunting for a competent diesel mechanic right away and I'm hopeful that soon my NV will be back in top shape just like your Navara. This conversation has been incredibly helpful and it definitely eased my worries. Cheers to smooth sailing on the road ahead! Best of luck to you as well, and thanks again for all your help!

(Translated from German)

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