Land Rover DPF Crisis: Black Smoke and Power Loss Help

Hey there! Had the exact same symptoms on my 2005 Land Rover Discovery 3 Diesel. The black smoke, power loss, and high fuel consumption really got me worried. The exhaust back pressure sensor was giving false readings, making the ECU think the DPF was blocked when it wasn't. Last time at the garage, they had to replace the pressure sensor and clean the DPF. It was more complex than just a sensor swap because they needed to check the entire exhaust system for any damage. The mechanic showed me how the faulty sensor was causing the engine to run in "safe mode," which explained the power loss. It's definitely a serious issue that needs proper attention, running too long with these symptoms can damage your DPF and potentially your engine. Make sure whoever works on it has experience with Land Rover diesel systems, as the diagnosis requires specific knowledge. After fixing mine, the engine ran smooth again, and fuel consumption went back to normal. No more black smoke or power issues since then. Best of luck!

Hey, thanks so much for sharing your experience with the Discovery! Really helpful to know it worked out for you in the end. Just wondering, do you remember roughly how much the whole fix set you back? And has everything stayed running smoothly since the repair, or have you had any other niggles pop up? I'm trying to get a feel for what I might be looking at cost-wise with my Freelander. Cheers!

Hey again! Great to hear back from you! Yeah, I can totally put your mind at ease about the costs. Just had mine fixed last month and it came to 250€ for replacing the exhaust back pressure sensor. The mechanic sorted out that low DPF differential pressure issue completely, it's running like a dream now! My Discovery's been purring like a kitten since the repair, no more black smoke, power's back to normal, and fuel consumption is way better. Haven't had a single problem since. The difference is seriously night and day! The DPF warning light's stayed off too, which is always a good sign. Looking at your Freelander, you're probably looking at similar costs since it's pretty much the same issue I had. Just make sure you get it sorted sooner rather than later, these things can get pricey if you let them drag on too long. Drop me a line when you get it fixed, would love to hear how it turns out! These Land Rovers can be quirky, but they're worth the hassle when they're running right. Cheers!

Thanks for all that detail! Actually, just got back from the mechanic today. You were spot on about getting it sorted quickly! Took your advice and found a specialist who really knew their stuff. Turns out it was exactly what you mentioned, faulty pressure sensor messing with the DPF readings. They did the sensor replacement and gave the DPF a good clean while they were at it. Bill came to about 300€, bit more than yours but included the cleaning too. Can't believe the difference! No more black smoke, engine's got its punch back, and the fuel gauge isn't dropping like a stone anymore. Such a relief to have it sorted properly. The mechanic even showed me what was wrong with the old sensor, pretty interesting actually! Really appreciate you sharing your experience, helped me avoid getting ripped off and gave me the confidence to get it sorted. Definitely owe you a drink for that one! Cheers for the help!