Fiat Ducato problem

[Teasy2007]

Hi we have just taken our 2019 Ducato Carthago motorhome for a fill up with diesel and gas When we arrived home, about 6 miles travelled, the engine fan remained on at high speed and there was a smell of burning.

After a few minutes and desperately ringing the dealer we turned the engine on and as soon as I turned it off the fan revved up again. 2-3 minutes later it stopped. We have not used the Motorhome since October. The dealer suggested I ring Fiat, who sent me round in a circle then disconnected me. When I rang back I was sent straight to a recorded message telling me to leave a message!

Should I be worried? Is there anything I can check? Any help and advice very much appreciated.

Ginny and Mike

 

[Lenny HB]

If it's hot ours cuts in at a fairly high speed for a few minutes after stopping but no burning smell.

 

[Phill D]

it is quite common after a run for the fan to remain running, it is to bring the engine temp down below the sensor setting irrespective of the ignition or engine on.

i would hazard a guess if the van is new or close to new then the smell of burning is just newnes and will decline over use.

but worthy of checking out , to easy your concerns and be sure if nothing else

 

[Teasy2007]

If it's hot ours cuts in at a fairly high speed for a few minutes after stopping but no burning smell.

Its cold and raining in Rotherham today, and the smell of burning was very scary!

 

[Phill D]

is the van new, new! as in just out of the showroom. or has it got a few K on the clock

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[Lenny HB]

Its cold and raining in Rotherham today, and the smell of burning was very scary!

That no right, it needs looking at.

 

[Phill D]

i agree get it checked out.

 

[Teasy2007]

is the van new, new! as in just out of the showroom. or has it got a few K on the clock

just over 1,500 miles on clock

 

[ramsthom]

Its was probably going through a DPF. regeneration. It increases the exhaust temp to regenerate the filter which can give a burning or hot smell. Next time it happens keep the engine running so it completes the regeneration.

 

[Langtoftlad]

Lord knows I'm not mechanically minded - but have you checked the coolant level in the radiator?

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[mikebeaches]

Its was probably going through a DPF. regeneration. It increases the exhaust temp to regenerate the filter which can give a burning or hot smell. Next time it happens keep the engine running so it completes the regeneration.

We took our van for a fast run on the motorway the other day after it had been laid up for a long time - not far, about 5 or six miles - and when we pulled up at the supermarket there was a pungent hot burning smell, which I put down to the catalytic converter / DPF regeneration.

After that - on the same evening - we went on a much longer motorway run circa 26 miles and when we got home everything sounded and smelt fine. Ours is a 2016 van with only just over 15k miles on the clock.

I suspect the OP's van is probably OK, certainly hope so.

But worth getting checked if concerned.

 

[Garfields]

If the air condition is switch on the fans will run at high speed most of the time
Also as above if the DPF regeneration is part way through cycle fans run plus hot smell if you are stationary

 

[Phill D]

just over 1,500 miles on clock

still very new then, so i would still expect a bit of newness burning off but not to the extreme that i would be concerned it may catch fire!!!

as far as the DPF goes i doubt that after just 1500 miles it would initiate a regeneration unless you been running it at very low speeds and extremely short engine run periods to build up soot in the DPF sufficiently to cause the additional engine burn.

maybe a silly point this, but who knows; .... there is nothing that has got into the engine compartment / near the exhaust during lockdown...

 

[Teasy2007]

Many thanks for your comments, I have just spoken to the roadside repair man who suggested we turned it on again and see what happened. It turned off ok with no problem, so he suggested we go for another run before we go to Bridlington on Thursday. He gave me the direct line number so I can contact them again without the rigmarole of going through Fiat!

Giinny

 

[Deneb]

as far as the DPF goes i doubt that after just 1500 miles it would initiate a regeneration unless you been running it at very low speeds and extremely short engine run periods to build up soot in the DPF sufficiently to cause the additional engine burn.

They happen roughly every 800 miles on my van, so with a a number of very short distance movements and periods of idling during the delivery and conversion process it could put it around the ball park.

It does sound like a regen was in progress to me.

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[Phill D]

They happen roughly every 800 miles on my van, so with a a number of very short distance movements and periods of idling during the delivery and conversion process it could put it around the ball park.

It does sound like a regen was in progress to me.

it would certainly account for the high temp and excess burning smell

 

[Landy Andy]

DPF regen happening.

 

[Ernesto]

Defo DPF forced regeneration by the sounds of it.

Need to take the van for a longer trip more regularly to let it clear the filter ”naturally”

 

[Roger20]

Need to take the van for a longer trip more regularly to let it clear the filter ”naturally”

To get passive regeneration you need to run continuously for at least 20 minutes at a minimum 2-2500 rpm - every 1000 miles or so. Much better than letting the engine do a forced regeneration process which can ultimately contaminate oil

 

[ramsthom]

How do you know its doing a passive regeneration. There's no indication its doing one when driving. You need to drive 2000rpm or above most of the time.

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[Howard B]

My old Octavia regularly used to do the same ( DPF regen) when I parked up ofter the 20 minute run to work. Had me worried the first time. Never had a burning smell though

 

[dunnah01]

I can't get under my van due to **age/laziness/suppleness (** delete as appropriate) but does a 2009 build 3.0 160bhp Ducato have a dpf?. Nothing connects in MES and i've never felt any kind of regen symptoms.

 

[Phill D]

dont "think " Dpf's on the Ducato came in until late 2011.

 

[Landy Andy]

No DPF on yours , just CAT

 

[Realist]

I just keep my eye on the temp gauge and if all looks ok don't worry about it.

if yours had a DPF folder and it needed cleaning you would have a dash symbol show up.

Regards

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[irnbru]

I

I ring Fiat, who sent me round in a circle then disconnected me. When I rang back I was sent straight to a recorded message telling me to leave a message!

Snap, ive had the same Fiat round in circles service. its disgraceful.