Engine Antipollution System Defective Help!

[406hdi136]

Hi guys, newbie on this forum, having nightmares with my 406 HDI (136) 2002 reg. Few weeks ago engine anti-pollution system defective message appeared on the screen and engine management light on the dashboard. Also the power dropped considerably (probably 50%). Not being an expert in diesels I took it to a Peugeot ''Specialist'' (as they advertise themselves on Yellow Pages). Having kept the car for two days they said all the tests they've done indicate the diesel particulate filter is ok, boost pressure ok, egr valve actuated ok, swirl valves actuated ok. They cleared all the faults but still no power and no fault codes, so they couldn't tell me what's wrong with my car. That's £ 60 out the window. Next took it to the main dealer and £100 later they said vacuum system check ok, they recommend replacement of particulate filter due to high pressure recorded. also recommend top up of particulate fluid. For this job I've been quoted £750 and they said they can't guarantee there is nothing else as they will have to investigate further after changing the filter and topping up the fluid ( didn't really like the idea of throwing all this money at them). Done a bit of research on the good old net and found that a lot of people got rid of their DPF. So got in touch with this local garage who said they can do it, £240 later the car run slightly better but not at its 100%. The mechanic said the engine it's a bit ''clogged'' and if I put some injector cleaner in the fuel tank in about 300 miles it will be fine. Done that and ater about 250 miles of motorway driving and keeping the engine between 3000 and 4000 rpm, the dreaded message appeared again and the little bit of power gained after the dpf removal was lost. Now every time I start the car the message comes up and light on the dashboard stays on. Phoned the garage and they said will have to carry out further investigations but I got a gut filling they haven't done their job properly and they're having me on.
Apologies for the long post but I'm a bit desperate as this is my daily runner and my work journeys are a nightmare (not fun being swept off the motorway by lorries going uphill).
Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[john_h]

the warning you get is a generic fault message for all peugeots, you need planet to be hooked up (either at a dealers or holders) this will then tell you what is wrong.

if they didnt do the job right, i bet betty can help on this too, the warning would have been on instantly the moment you started the car.

[406hdi136]

Went for lunch half an hour ago, started the car and no light or warning came up. But still no power. Could it be the mass air flow sensor? Would it come up on a diagnostic tool or is there any way of checking if it works properly? Thanks

[john_h]

yeah anything wrong will show on diagnostics, not sure if there is a way to check... i suppose if you check it for dirt etc...see if it makes a difference.

quick question when was it last full service that changed the fuel filter...i know this personally to give stupid faults and give people the run around, especially best checking since its very cheap

[bettyswollocks]

Originally Posted by 406hdi136

Went for lunch half an hour ago, started the car and no light or warning came up. But still no power. Could it be the mass air flow sensor? Would it come up on a diagnostic tool or is there any way of checking if it works properly? Thanks

Unpug the Air flow meter and drive the car to see if theres any difference

[406hdi136]

Ok, disconnected the maf but no difference apart from antypollution message coming up again, car drives the same. Fuel filter changed at last service 3000 miles ago. Will take it in for a diagnostic this wkend. Thanks

[sonichedgehog]

never had hdi 406 and please don't rely too much on this but...
Couple years ago had complete sputter then non-start, EGR valve (on THE OTHER french manufacturer) clog and I was told that diesel had poisoned the catalyser. It was unfortunately a big job. Like you I often think "yeh right" about garage diagnostics, so I mention this just in case another diagnostic comes up with something similar. Good luck.

[406hdi136]

Ok guys, message and light comes on and off now but power still low, if the dpf wasn't removed correctly, wouldn't the light stay on all the time? In which case the problem is somewhere else? Will plug it in a diagnostic machine on saturday and find out. Cheers

[john_h]

Originally Posted by cck2k9

if they didnt do the job right, i bet betty can help on this too, the warning would have been on instantly the moment you started the car.

yeah thats i would say, it would come on straight away soons as ignition on. next place i would look is the EGR (if fitted)

[bettyswollocks]

Taking the Air sensor off would give you a dip in power i would try and see if you can find the same car of a friends and change airflow meter to rule that out