Retro fitting a DPF to beat the LEZ

TheWM

TheWM

Free Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2015
Posts
445
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450
Location
London
Funster No
35,228
MH
Rapido 9010df
Exp
Newbie, but over 10 years in a campervan
So, part of my ongoing research into getting a MH I thought I would see whether anyone on here has had a DPF fitted to their MH.

I know of problems with vehicles that have DPFs from new that travel short distances and get clogged up, but given that MHs by their very nature will be travelling long distances can anyone advise on whether this could be an option?

Also if I should consider if I do go down this route whether to enquire about blanking plates, and does anyone know whether a light gets retrofitted to the dash to advise when it needs clearing?

I have found a place that will do it for £2k and they have a franchise less than 5 mins from me. So it's doable - just want to know from anyone that has had experience or knows someone that has so I am aware of the potential pitfalls. Thanks.
 
Put DPF into search and you should get a raft of information.
 
daveandsan said:
Put DPF into search and you should get a raft of information.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I spent a lot of time reading this morning. A poll seems to suggest that the majority of people have no problems with a DPF on their MH - but it doesn't seperate those that have a retrofitted rather than from new, if that makes sense?
 
@TheWM Going back to your original question I have had problems with my DPF .
The motorhome is based on 2.4 tranny on a 10 plate, bought private second hand the warning light came on when I was driving it home. To cut a long story short I had it reset twice then took it to the main Ford dealer, they checked it out and said the DPF was OK and it was to do with the ecu. Their answer was when turning on ignition wait till the warning lights go out before cranking the engine over. Been OK since I have followed that advice but I do put a DPF cleaner in the diesel twice a year.
 
Need to factor in with a retro fitted one is they need cleaning out every year at a cost of around £150-200, the engine won't have the electronics, sensors etc. for auto regeneration.

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Been mentioned on here a few times, dont know if anyone every got around to doing it as it appeared to be not only expensive but there was doubt the powers in London would accept the modification..
Somewhere way back in my brain I seem to re-call someone having one fitted and then they would not pass it..
SO BE CAREFUL before you spend your cash

Try doing a search on LEZ and read through all those posts first.

Broken Link Removed
 
The power of FUN. !! A 1 minute search and I found this from a 2011 post..
It's a quoted from elsewhere but re-posted here on Fun..

"We live inside the LEZ and our motorhome is a Rapido the engine is a 2006 Mercedes Euro Sprinter 316cdi 2686cc which ment we had to have a filter fitted.
After lots of research we have now had our motorhome updated to comply for the LEZ in London. At a total cost of £2006 +£32 VOSA certification.

Dave Thomsett has fitted us with the Clean diesel filter under the Clean diesel trial but they are now in production.
Thomsett Church Farm, Stockbury (next to the Church) Sittingbourne, KENT. ME9 7RD
TEL: 01795 841007"
 
Thanks all! Will get reading!
 
They also require a visit to a VOSA test station every year for a mandatory test and certication .
I went into this twaddle when I got a letter from them after a diversion down the A13 and the fine was going to be £1000 if I did it again. even though my van has approval, but was upweighted to 3860kgs so it became a lorry and the approvals changed for them in 1012.
 
Ok - I'm not convinced that this is the best route for me to go down. Appreciate your comments.

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When we lived in London I spent nearly £3,000 on one to suit the LEZ, had nothing but trouble with it. In the end after so much stress we sold the motorhome without it on and it now sits in my shed. I do kick it every time I enter the shed and swear a lot thinking about the loss. :mad:
 
I am still trying to understand the problem here.
Motorhomes registered after 2002 at less than 3500kg, no problem. Over 3500kg registered after 2006, no problem.
I have just been on the LEZ website & my 2008, 4500kg motorhome is compliant.
 
jay said:
I am still trying to understand the problem here.
Motorhomes registered after 2002 at less than 3500kg, no problem. Over 3500kg registered after 2006, no problem.
I have just been on the LEZ website & my 2008, 4500kg motorhome is compliant.
Click to expand...

Hi Jay. The two 'possible' options that I saw and wanted to view as they were 30 mins away were a 2003 and 2004 Swift Sundance. 10 cm longer than our drive but would probably get away with it. Anyway - they were 3800kg and thus non compliant. But as I could get a DPF for under 2k thought about it. Of course I could go for a 2006 onwards version but they are 2ft(ish) longer and have the potential to have soggy floors. Therein lies my problem.
 
I'm not sure about this, our 2012 mh at 4000kg is le zone compliant, it is euro 1v but does not have a dpf, why would fitting a dpf make a difference?
 
@TheWM
I seem to remember you asking about what MH to get a few days back. IMHO you would be better to spend an extra couple of grand on something that's LEZ compliant rather than retro-fitting an exhaust system.

Don't know your circ's but I know that you were given 'budget approval' for the MH ;) so maybe you have a spending limit? The temptation is, to get a low headline figure and then buy add-on's. Rarely works in this case because it's quite an outlay. My respectful advice is to get something compliant if you can.

My motto is, "It's easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission!

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Sorry, but I must have mixed you up with someone else, I thought you only had 3.5 ton licence.
As regard the rest of the problem try looking for something under 3.5 or after 2006.
Fitting a DPF to an old van is a waste of money. It might be worth considering if you already owned it but not in the circumstances.
 
wingman said:
@TheWM
I seem to remember you asking about what MH to get a few days back. IMHO you would be better to spend an extra couple of grand on something that's LEZ compliant rather than retro-fitting an exhaust system.

Don't know your circ's but I know that you were given 'budget approval' for the MH ;) so maybe you have a spending limit? The temptation is, to get a low headline figure and then buy add-on's. Rarely works in this case because it's quite an outlay. My respectful advice is to get something compliant if you can.

My motto is, "It's easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission!
Click to expand...

My original budget was 18k. Don't ask me why I just figured I could get something around that mark. Even coming from the VW scene that would get you a decent motor. I'm now prepared to up that to 28k. I'd rather not given that I've got 2 young kids but - whaddayado? Now even 28k I'm having trouble getting what I want. I mean I could get an Autoquest 145 but the consensus is that they could be hit and miss. I agree with you though. I should get the best thing that I can afford.
 
jay said:
Sorry, but I must have mixed you up with someone else, I thought you only had 3.5 ton licence.
As regard the rest of the problem try looking for something under 3.5 or after 2006.
Fitting a DPF to an old van is a waste of money. It might be worth considering if you already owned it but not in the circumstances.
Click to expand...

Yes I do only have a normal 3.5 license. Happy to up it to a LGV. In the meantime her indoors can ferry me around.
 
jay said:
I am still trying to understand the problem here.
Motorhomes registered after 2002 at less than 3500kg, no problem. Over 3500kg registered after 2006, no problem.
I have just been on the LEZ website & my 2008, 4500kg motorhome is compliant.
Click to expand...
jay said:
I am still trying to understand the problem here.
Motorhomes registered after 2002 at less than 3500kg, no problem. Over 3500kg registered after 2006, no problem.
I have just been on the LEZ website & my 2008, 4500kg motorhome is compliant.
Click to expand...
Any MH under 2,5t is classed as a car !! & exempt. (y)
I've still got to register with the LEZy barstewards though, being foreign .:(
 

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