My DPF is clean with solution

[Mark R]

OK, it's not actually mine, but a friends Peugeot 807 Diesel. They've done about 50k miles and the reservoir of DPF cleaning catalyst has run out, and they've now got the "fuel additive low" warning on the dash.

The dealer want about $500 to refill the additive. I've had a look, and it doesn't look too hard to get to the reservoir, which is inside the wheel arch. So, take the wheel off and the arch liner out, and you should be able to get to the reservoir for refilling. However, the dealer want about $250 just to buy a bottle of additive from the parts counter.

I suspect the additive has run out, as he now seems to be getting the DPF regeneration warning light a lot, and his fuel consumption has shot up.

So, can you buy generic DPF cleaner catalyst solution, suitable for an in-car reservoir? Or is it possible to get this direct from the emissions system manufacturer?

Or would it just be easier just to get some off the shelf DPF cleaner solution and chuck some in the tank each time he fills up?

 

[iamwiz82]

You could, in theory, cut it out and then flash the ECU to ignore the DPF. They sell DEF at the local parts stores here for about $6USD/gal. You would then just need to fill it by using the filler. I know that VW fillers will work with BMWs, for example.

 

[herm0016]

its probably just the regular stuff... very cheap at any parts store or truck stop. We buy it by the barrel.

 

[Mark R]

I'm not sure we're talking about the same stuff. This stuff is a thick deep-red brown toothpaste like paste. The tank isn't really a tank, it's like a plastic bag in a container.

The car has done about 45k on 2/3 gallon. Which is obviously how the manufacturer gets away with it being a garage-only refill.

Anyway, I've done a lot of digging, and I've found a source of the genuine OEM solution from the DPF manufacturer (Rhodia) for just under $200 for a gallon (the solution is called Eolys 176).

I've also found a generic "cerium oxide nanoparticle" catalyst for about $150 a gallon which is supposed to be a direct replacement.

I guess the stuff is just crazy expensive - still, it works out at about $2 bucks a tank, which is probably why the oil companies don't put it in the fuel, and instead the car manufacturers have come up with this system that injects a dose into the fuel tank every time you fill up.

I'm guessing it's probably the exact same stuff as in something like this:
this, but just about 100x as concentrated. (Yeah, I know the marketing brochure sounds like snake oil, but apparently this technology is legit. Unfortunately, like most snake oil salesmen, there is no real technical information in the marketing info, so I can't tell whether the stuff is genuine).