[m.rk77]

bmw particulate filter regeneration takes place every 300 to max 2000 km. It takes place when you drive at an average speed of 50 km/h for 20 minutes. Computer will take over and your vehicle will drive as in Sport mode. The particulate filter will heat up in order to burn everything that's stuck inside of it.

BMW diesel owners: Do you have a strong burnt smell when this particulate filter regenerates?



http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.d...43&hg=18&fg=10

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/t...le_filter.html

[beemerbird]

No smells noticed whatsoever in 6k now and I'd say I have quite a sensitive nose. I used to get alot of sulphur smells from my E90 330i coming into the cabin. I was puzzled as to why the filters didn't block the smell. Could yours be a combination of exhaust leakage/inefficient filters/DPF?

All I've noticed is as stated in part of the text posted by red-max in the other thread:

"The somewhat delayed response under acceleration, mainly at low engine speeds, results from the reduction of intake air by the throttle valve during regeneration, which does not need to open fully again until there is a significant increase in load. The maximum engine power output available remains available even during regeneration."

Hope you get this sorted.

[dxb335d]

Mrk buddy your poll is flawed, how will people who say ''no'' even know its happened. So that one is not valid.

To be fair how will anyone really know when their car has been thru a regeneration without a BMW technician beign there to tell you ''its now happening''

[Dave_3]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

To be fair how will anyone really know when their car has been thru a regeneration without a BMW technician beign there to tell you ''its now happening''

It is actually in the Manual, Carl. Sigh.

So you obviously don't know the answer to your question. And if you were sensitive to the driving characteristics of your car you can feel it too.

I can sense it when it is operational. And you can notice a slightly sweet burnt caramely aroma if you are driving in traffic, come to a stop, wind blowing in the right direction with your window open.

It is exactly the same kind of effect as when your hot exhaust burns off mud or a plastic bag.

Never with the windows shut.

D.

[dxb335d]

Love you to Dave. Also Dave does it say in the manual where in the exhaust system the DPF is situated?

[m.rk77]

the DPF should be right around the turbos
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.d...43&hg=18&fg=10

[m.rk77]

go here: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.d...43&hg=01&fg=05

Select: Exhaust System

Exhaust System front

[red-max]

I voted "I don't know", since I have never noticed it. Anyone know if there's any indication in the cabin (on the multi-function display) to let you know the regeneration is happening?

I do quite a lot of fairly long runs, so perhaps I've never stopped and got out during one of these...?

[creepy coupe]

Whats sports mode, mines always in sports mode

[Dave_3]

Originally Posted by red-max

I do quite a lot of fairly long runs, so perhaps I've never stopped and got out during one of these...?

That's probably right.

It feels the same way as when the air-con kicks on a moderatey powerful car. Subtle draw on the power. When you are cruising you might not notice.

Most of my trips are short and in the town - I would imagine that mine forces itself on sometimes

D.

[m.rk77]

good info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_particulate_filter

do read the regeneration section

[creepy coupe]

Sounds a strange system to me, what it’s supposed to do is burn soot, which I thought was burnt anyway, it sounds as if the filter stores the soot until a convenient time, when it can burn it and not affect emission values and claim cleaner engine outputs.

[e-maps]

Originally Posted by red-max

I voted "I don't know", since I have never noticed it. Anyone know if there's any indication in the cabin (on the multi-function display) to let you know the regeneration is happening?

I do quite a lot of fairly long runs, so perhaps I've never stopped and got out during one of these...?

A BMW tech I know told me that the only way you can tell the car is in regeneration mode is the gearbox goes into 5th gear and you cant push it manually into 6th. This is to keep the rpm up so the exhaust temps are high enough to burn off the soot.

I'm not 100% sure on this, might be something to watch out for if you think your car is in regeneration mode.

[roofer]

As Dave says, describes the smell acurately as well imo.

[m.rk77]

there's no indicator light , there's no message to let you know the process if taking place. One way you know is that the car will handle as if it is in DS mode (Sport mode) to ensure higher temperatures.

If you suspect you are in regeneration mode you can pull over and place your hand CAREFULLY on top of the air filter box. It will be HOT! This box almost never becomes hot except if the car is going through regeneration. I am talking HOT not warm so be careful!

Everything in the engine compartment will be hotter then usual.

[quattrogmbh]

I can smell Diesel exhaust fumes (Pre-filtered fumes since they don't have the ammonia smell) around the particulate filter and turbo manifold. This often enters the cabin if at a standstill or in traffic. I havent experienced a Sweet Caramel smell, which suggests its likely to be the lacquer burning off the particulate filter.

[m.rk77]

you should smell it much stronger when the regeneration is active. Can you feel a lot of heat coming from down there?

The regeneration process creates a lot of heat, much hotter then the regular engine heat

Originally Posted by quattrogmbh

I can smell Diesel exhaust fumes (Pre-filtered fumes since they don't have the ammonia smell) around the particulate filter and turbo manifold. This often enters the cabin if at a standstill or in traffic. I havent experienced a Sweet Caramel smell, which suggests its likely to be the lacquer burning off the particulate filter.

[Dave_3]

Originally Posted by quattrogmbh

I havent experienced a Sweet Caramel smell, which suggests its likely to be the lacquer burning off the particulate filter.

Must be SOME laquer to do that even after a year of everyday use ....

D.

[m.rk77]

the laquer burns off after the first regeneration...

The regeneration process can reach 600 degrees Celsius


the last time I had the regeneration my engine compartment was so hot that I could not touch anything in there. I almost burned myself just by opening the bonnet.

Originally Posted by Dave_3

Must be SOME laquer to do that even after a year of everyday use ....

D.

[roofer]

The exhaust is a sealed system, the only smell will come from the rear, as stated, when the wind is blowing in the right direction.

[quattrogmbh]

agreed - "Should" be a sealed system ;-)

[m.rk77]

yea, should be sealed and there should be absolutely no exhaust smell or any kind of burned smell around the engine...

But that is not he case with my vehicle...

This my be my first and my last diesel purchase...