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Ford Focus 1.6 2008 - DPF fault code P242F ash accumulation - Fixed #

Posted by Peter Holland on August 16, 2017, 10:32 am

Year of Manufacture *: 2008
Engine Size and Code *: 1600
( Optional ) Scanner Used: Snap-on
( Optional) Fault Codes: P242F

This car has a very long and involved story of woe. To summarise very briefly, various garages have been involved in trying to fix this DPF issue. Various parts have been replaced, including injectors, EGR valve etc. Apparently, the DPF was removed and the car remapped. This was allegedly then refitted and the orignial map reinstalled.

On investigation, we found a faulty non genuine EGR valve fitted which we have replaced. The PAT fluid tank was found to be empty, so this has been refitted and adaptions reset.

The only code we are left with is P242F DPF ash accumulation. We have attempted to carry out a static DPF regen but it kicks us out before it even starts the regen. I've noted that the back pressure in the exhaust is high - 10 Kpa at idle and 73 Kpa when rev'd to 3000 rpm (maximum it'll rev to). This code will not clear and even returns before the engine is started. Oddly, live data reports 62139 miles until ash full??

My question is, if the exhaust pressure is reading that high, would that stop it from regenerating?

Re: Ford Focus 2008 DPF fault code P242F Ash accumulation

Posted by steve shaw <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/ukautotalk8/info/user=ukat3627' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 16, 2017, 12:26 pm, in reply to "Ford Focus 2008 DPF fault code P242F Ash accumulation "
Steve Shaw

yes, both of those will stop it from doing a regen, you have to reset the dpf sensor or something like that from memory before that code will clear, but at that pressure it may be worth having the dpf professionally cleaned if it's an oe one & see where you go after that

Re: Ford Focus 2008 DPF fault code P242F Ash accumulation

Posted by aidan birley <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/ukautotalk8/info/user=UKAT2879' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 16, 2017, 1:43 pm, in reply to "Re: Ford Focus 2008 DPF fault code P242F Ash accumulation "
Aidan Birley

Hi

Dont think a re gen will reduce ASH accumulation, more likely to increase it. A regen is to 'burn / reduce' soot which results in small amount of ash being left in dpf.

I suspect then only way to remove ash accumulation fault code is to run 'fit new DPF'
function.

you need to clean or replace DPG first of course

Aidan

Re: Ford Focus 2008 DPF fault code P242F Ash accumulation

Posted by andrew pethig <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/ukautotalk8/info/user=ukat3731' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 16, 2017, 9:31 pm, in reply to "Re: Ford Focus 2008 DPF fault code P242F Ash accumulation "
Andrew Pethig

un-plug the air flow meter when the engine is running and then check the pcm has set a code for it.

KOEO and clear the codes

all the codes should now be gone.

if the DPF has a ash restriction Regenerating it will not work, if its just soot it will work.

any thing over 4 psi of back pressure you can not do a static or dynamic regen .

( 101 kpa = 14.7 psi )

you will need to have the DPF properley cleaned,

new after market ones are junk fit one at your own perril,

i find the only way is to clean a factory item or fit a new one,

spray DPF cleaners as far as i know will not remove ASH

what ever option you choose tell the computer you have fitted a new DPF

should be JOB DONE.

Re: Ford Focus 2008 DPF fault code P242F Ash accumulation

Posted by Peter Holland <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/ukautotalk8/info/user=UKAT5256' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 16, 2017, 9:52 pm, in reply to "Ford Focus 2008 DPF fault code P242F Ash accumulation "
Peter Holland

Ok, thanks for that. I'll have another play tomorrow. The thing that puzzles me is why it logs that fault code in the first place when it says there's another 62K until its full.

Re: Ford Focus 2008 DPF fault code P242F Ash accumulation

Posted by Tony Ludford <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/ukautotalk8/info/user=UKAT5539' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 16, 2017, 10:46 pm, in reply to "Re: Ford Focus 2008 DPF fault code P242F Ash accumulation "
Tony Ludford

I think it's because someone has already told it, it's had a new DPF, but the pressure sensor is telling the ECU otherwise.

Re: Ford Focus 2008 DPF fault code P242F Ash accumulation

Posted by Kevin Apps <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/ukautotalk8/info/user=UKAT2589' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 16, 2017, 11:41 pm, in reply to "Ford Focus 2008 DPF fault code P242F Ash accumulation "
Kevin Apps

Peter

Apparently, the DPF was removed and the car remapped. This was allegedly then refitted and the orignial map reinstalled.

Just fit a new DPF and hope the original map has been reinstalled correctly.

God this has been bodged so either now do it correctly or kick it out the door.

Kev.

Re: Ford Focus 2008 DPF fault code P242F Ash accumulation

Posted by Peter Holland <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/ukautotalk8/info/user=UKAT5256' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 17, 2017, 8:47 am, in reply to "Re: Ford Focus 2008 DPF fault code P242F Ash accumulation "
Peter Holland

Kevin, I quite agree and that's what I'm trying to do.

Tony, the DPF pressure sensor reads 0 pressure when the engine isn't running but it will still not let me delete that P242F. How does it know the DPF is blocked when the engine isn't running and its miles off of saying the DPF ash content is full? Weird...

Re: Ford Focus 2008 DPF fault code P242F Ash accumulation

Posted by aidan birley <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/ukautotalk8/info/user=UKAT2879' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 17, 2017, 1:16 pm, in reply to "Re: Ford Focus 2008 DPF fault code P242F Ash accumulation "
Aidan Birley

Hi Peter

Ash accumulation can only be a calculated figure, I suspect the dpf pressure sensor has no influence on setting this code.

Cant explain why live data contradicts code, software error some wear ( scanner ?)

I still think the only way you will remove a ash accumulation fault code is to run 'fitted new DPF' command.

Re: Ford Focus 2008 DPF fault code P242F Ash accumulation

Posted by Kevin Apps <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/ukautotalk8/info/user=UKAT2589' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 18, 2017, 8:51 am, in reply to "Re: Ford Focus 2008 DPF fault code P242F Ash accumulation "
Kevin Apps

Peter

As Aidan has said "I still think the only way you will remove a ash accumulation fault code is to run 'fitted new DPF' command." BUT as they have said only after cleaning (off car) OR new DPF fitted (genuine never pattern).

Kev

Re: Ford Focus 2008 DPF fault code P242F Ash accumulation

Posted by Tony Ludford <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/ukautotalk8/info/user=UKAT5539' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 18, 2017, 6:08 pm, in reply to "Re: Ford Focus 2008 DPF fault code P242F Ash accumulation "
Tony Ludford

The reason P242F DTC is unable to be cleared,, is DTC logic. It will only clear after a successful regeneration of the DPF. However all you need to do, is create another DTC with KOEO (confirm a 2nd code has appeared e.g. disconnect DPF sensor) clear DTCs and the P242F code will usually clear.

Tony

Re: Ford Focus 2008 DPF fault code P242F Ash accumulation

Posted by Peter Holland <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/ukautotalk8/info/user=UKAT5256' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 29, 2017, 12:39 pm, in reply to "Re: Ford Focus 2008 DPF fault code P242F Ash accumulation "
Peter Holland

So, we've removed and cleaned the DPF. It turns out its fitted with a Euro Car Parts filter. When we ran the engine up after refitting, the DPF pressure was down to 0.4 KPa at idle. It then allowed us to carry out a static regen but the car still had a slight misfire. On further investigation, it turned out that No. 4 cylinder injector had two washers under the seat. Removed second washer and the car now runs and drives perfectly.

After rechecking fault codes when road tested, I've noticed that code P2458 DPF regen duration has returned. I don't even know why its trying to regenerate the DPF when its just been done unless the pressure is high?

Re: Ford Focus 2008 DPF fault code P242F Ash accumulation

Posted by andrew pethig <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/ukautotalk8/info/user=ukat3731' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 31, 2017, 8:06 am, in reply to "Re: Ford Focus 2008 DPF fault code P242F Ash accumulation "
Andrew Pethig

drive the car at WOT in 2nd or 3 gear and graph the pressure sensor,

if you have anything close to 4 psi at any point which is 27 kpa the exhaust is still restricted, and the car will set that code

if you used a pressure washer to clean the dpf there could still be moisture in there , if you used a cleaner there could still be some in there ETC.
will the code clear ?
have you told the car its got a new DPF fitted ?

i have cleaned doesens of thease ( factory units with a pressure washer and have had zero returns so long as you make sure there spotless inside )
if you use a pressure washer wash it out through the back side and not the cat side as the pressure washer will destroy the cat and then the filters junk.

i use the car to dry then out , i leave the DPF disconected from the rest of the exhaust and run the car at fast idle for 30 mins, when it stops steaming its dry.

Either way in my opinion your problem is the ECP filter even if you get it spotless its still a piece of crap that is likley to drive you mad.

Get a factory unit used if need be and clean that,

after market filters = wedding bells

Re: Ford Focus 2008 DPF fault code P242F Ash accumulation

Posted by Peter Holland <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/ukautotalk8/info/user=UKAT5256' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 2, 2017, 10:14 am, in reply to "Re: Ford Focus 2008 DPF fault code P242F Ash accumulation "
Peter Holland

Thanks for that info Andrew. I suspect you're right and we may well still have a restriction in the exhaust system. The customer was champing at the bit to have his car back, so we've let him know that there may well be further issues and have let him take the car on the assurance that he brings it back in a week for us to recheck it. It looks like that DPF may ultimately have to be binned.

Re: Ford Focus 2008 DPF fault code P242F Ash accumulation

Posted by Peter Holland <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/ukautotalk8/info/user=UKAT5256' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 23, 2017, 7:35 pm, in reply to "Re: Ford Focus 2008 DPF fault code P242F Ash accumulation "

So the DPF lasted about 6 weeks before it has apparently blocked again. We've spent quite a lot more time on this now and have fitted a genuine DPF. The problem we are left with now is that despite telling the ECU that there is a new DPF fitted, we can not clear the excessive ash content fault code. It has consequently left the engine fault message displayed. I've tried introducing new fault codes by disconnecting the MAF sensor and then clearing but it still won't clear the ash content fault. Is there a procedure we've not completed to get it to clear this code?

Fixed #

Posted by Peter Holland on November 28, 2017, 12:09 pm, in reply to "Ford Focus 1.6 2008 - DPF fault code P242F ash accumulation #"
Edited by board administrator December 1, 2017, 10:32 am

We spoke to a local very helpful Ford technician who suggested that it needed driving to enable the ECU to see the new low pressures. He was dead right. After about 10 minutes driving, we were able to clear the fault codes and all was ok. Happy days!

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