DPF and white smoke

[t303]

while on the subject , i wonder what the chemicals in that smoke are ??

There's an interesting thought, something topical, useful and enlightening for a greens senator to chase up!

[nudgebar]

Sure, it may not be damaging the engine itself, but it has to be embarrassing for the driver and surely not healthy for anyone following closely behind

while on the subject , i wonder what the chemicals in that smoke are ??

[Falco80]

There is no way that the amount of smoke coming from these is "normal". That just sounds like an easy-out for Toyota, because i think they are going to be flooded with 2.8's suffering this problem. The Hilux i saw was literally leaving a white smokescreen behind him. Sure, it may not be damaging the engine itself, but it has to be embarrassing for the driver and surely not healthy for anyone following closely behind. I'd be driving straight to the dealer and demanding a loaner while they fix/replace the POS DPF.

[trueblue]

Bulletin

Just note - the service bulletin for the Toyota mechanics indicates that white smoke is normal - I have seen it and read it with my own eyes. It also states that a replacement should only be considered if the customer comes back time and again and has a concern. The message here is that if you see it once, call Toyota and get them to log it against your vehicle. It saves multiple trips.

Rather than having the DPF fall off, which affects legalities and resale - there are a couple of mobs that are stating they are developing a new high-flow DPF that is mated to a new exhaust system. I am sure it'll be pricey, but it'll be legal. That's where my money is headed as soon as they come out - pending other issues with this new car being resolved.

Thanks CamJam. I have not seen the bulletin myself but what you say about it seems accurate based on the feedback I got from his service advisers a few weeks before and then the service manager mentioned the bulletin. But logic should indicate to Prado owners that what Toyota are saying in that bulletin is not entirely correct. I suspect it may be an attempt at money saving by trying to minimize the quantity of DPF's that get replaced (I believe they are expensive). I base this on the below:
1. The sheer quantity of smoke I am seeing billowing out the back of my Prado at regen is now excessive. This was not present in the Prado from new to about 35000km. This immediately tells me something has changed and the DPF is now not working correctly.
2. The qty of smoke I am witnessing on my vehicle at regens is way excessive (large billowing plumes). It is worse than most trucks I see in traffic. I believe will be illegal under section 356 of the WA Road Traffic Vehicle Regulations and maybe even the EPA laws.
3. I raised the 2nd point above with the Toyota Dealer. To cover me legally they provided me with an official Dealership document noting the issue and that they are awaiting parts. (I did not ask for this but it was provided in case I get pulled up by police).
4. The ECU recall indicates an issue was developing for Toyota (Recalls are expensive, embarrassing publicly for the vehicle manufacturer and I suspect only done when it involves Safety, Bad publicity or Further expenses to Toyota if the issue is not addressed).
5. Toyota are instructing Dealers and technicians that the white smoke I am now witnessing in my Prado is normal and is not damaging the vehicle. The non-harmful to car claim may be true (time will tell) but they are avoiding the obvious that:
(The 2.8D 150 series Prados did not emit this qty of smoke from new.)
(Toyota seem to be overlooking jurisdictional vehicle regulations.)
(It is aesthetically embarrassing for owners and Toyota to see this qty of smoke from a new car.)

[CamJam]

Just note - the service bulletin for the Toyota mechanics indicates that white smoke is normal - I have seen it and read it with my own eyes. It also states that a replacement should only be considered if the customer comes back time and again and has a concern. The message here is that if you see it once, call Toyota and get them to log it against your vehicle. It saves multiple trips.

Rather than having the DPF fall off, which affects legalities and resale - there are a couple of mobs that are stating they are developing a new high-flow DPF that is mated to a new exhaust system. I am sure it'll be pricey, but it'll be legal. That's where my money is headed as soon as they come out - pending other issues with this new car being resolved.

[trueblue]

Another DPF replacement story. My 1/2016 2.8L Diesel Prado has just ticked over 40,000km. Normal use - tow a 6m boat and camper from time to time. Often do long runs into country areas but normal use is about 11kms to and from a train station twice a day for work. Up to about 4 to 6 weeks ago never had an issue with smoke and regens. Symptoms developed = When temp reaches about 1/4 on gauge it starts blowing lots of white smoke especially around 40 to 60 km an hour on very mild acceleration. Some smoke can be seen at take off from lights. Smoke would gradually disappear or reduce when it reached normal operating temp. This was occurring several days in a row.

Anyway took it into Scarboro Toyota for 40,000km service 2 weeks ago and reported that was recently seeing lots of plumes of white smoke come from my exhaust. So they did the service, reprogrammed the ECU and did DFP regen. I maintained my concern over the qty of smoke but was advised by the service adviser the ECU reprogram/recall will fix the problem as it addresses the DPF problems (plus a known Auto Transmission issue with a harsh downshift at slow speed). I was also advised the emission of white smoke was normal during a DPF regen. Anyway after two weeks the white smoke was back and has been emitting smoke all week. The smoke is so bad it is probably illegal at times. Anyway I spoke to the Service Manager and advised my concerns re the legality of the smoke being emitted, what has been posted online re DPS replacements and reiterated it had not been like this up to about 6 weeks ago.

They asked I bring the car in. After the Service Manager (who is a nice guy) spoke to the workshop foreman it was decided the DPF was faulty and required replacement. Parts will will take about a week to get in if they can source in Aust. If not 4 weeks away ex japan. The service manager advised that damage to DPS was likely due to the original programming of the ECU and the recall was to late to save my DPS (damage already done). Point is folks the emission of white smoke to the point you observe plumes in your mirrors and back window is not normal, the foreman stated that and Toyota are aware of it but obviously not advertising the issue. No recall on this but if customers report excessive smoke after the ECU upgrade Toyota have to do something about it as the excessive emission is bordering illegal/if not illegal. Hope this helps others who are researching this issue on their Prado.

[nudgebar]

Saw the white smoke for the first time. Another Prado was a driving in front and as it started white smoke from the exhaust. Maybe EPA is going to take Toyota to task over this?

I dont think anyone has been fined as yet but give it time. Like all government departments the EPA would just take the easy way out and fine the owner , then making it the owners problem .

[Falco80]

I was following a new model Hilux a few days ago and it looked liked it was on fire. Huge plume of white/grey smoke coming out of it! I'd be seriously pi$$ed if that was my brand new vehicle. Not acceptable. Thumbs-up for modern diesels, not!

[wanted]

Saw the white smoke for the first time. Another Prado was a driving in front and as it started white smoke from the exhaust. Maybe EPA is going to take Toyota to task over this?

[CamJam]

Another unlucky owner of Prado 2.8DT (Nov 2015 Build), car has done 30000KM, no mod, no tow, ECM updates (Recall Code GGG38) had done back to June 2017, mix 40/60 highway and city driving. Noticed from last week, when I drove off T junction, I saw white smoke from side mirror when PDF burn was in process, as the smoke wasn’t much so I thought it could be illusion. Until today, when I drove off from the traffic lights I saw huge cloud white smoke from side mirror and I now 110% confirm this, I’m casualty number X of Prado DPF I will talk to Toyota on Monday and book my car in for DPF checkup. Will keep you guys updated.

I'm X-1. Have it booked in for the same fault, exhibiting the same problems, at the end of this month.

[prodoco]

Another unlucky owner of Prado 2.8DT (Nov 2015 Build), car has done 30000KM, no mod, no tow, ECM updates (Recall Code GGG38) had done back to June 2017, mix 40/60 highway and city driving. Noticed from last week, when I drove off T junction, I saw white smoke from side mirror when PDF burn was in process, as the smoke wasn’t much so I thought it could be illusion. Until today, when I drove off from the traffic lights I saw huge cloud white smoke from side mirror and I now 110% confirm this, I’m casualty number X of Prado DPF I will talk to Toyota on Monday and book my car in for DPF checkup. Will keep you guys updated.

[Gurumuka]

This one fell off at 350km.

I am hoping mine might fall off as well, though try as I might I cannot find a suitable replacement! Live in the NT and cannot afford to have a DPF failure causing limp mode in the middle of nowhere!

Thoughts?

[cuda]

UPDATE

Had the DPF replaced on Thursday and used the vehicle this weekend towing a Jayco 16.49-3 which fully loaded comes in just under 2T. Drove down to the Waroona Dam and back and managed 13.5l combined. So far vehicle seems a little more responsive and fuel consumption seems lower. Incidentally the DPF did a burn at approximately 200km and seemed to use less fuel than normal. Will monitor and give more info over the next few thousand.

Thanks
Doug

[120D4D]

This one fell off at 350km.

You must have some really corrugated roads over there Dave!

[Richie]

My will be down as soon as warranty expires. Hope there will be demands for second hand DPF then. How is the car going without ?