ProMaster DPF Issues Causing Power Loss and Smoke

Had the same symptoms on a 2017 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel. The diesel filter was completely clogged, causing serious engine performance issues and black smoke during acceleration. The exhaust system showed high back pressure readings, confirming the DPF was blocked. A filter replacement was necessary since multiple regeneration cycles failed to clear the blockage. The engine light kept coming on even after standard maintenance. This required complete removal of the old DPF and installation of a new unit. It was a major repair job taking two full days at the shop. After the fix, engine performance returned to normal and the smoke issue disappeared completely. Important to know: Driving with a blocked DPF can damage other engine components. The symptoms you describe match a severely restricted filter. Would strongly recommend getting it checked by a certified diesel specialist who can properly diagnose and perform the necessary exhaust system repairs. Regular DPF maintenance and allowing complete regeneration cycles helps prevent this issue from recurring. The repair was extensive but solved the problem permanently.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Going through similar issues with my ProMaster right now. After reading what you went through, I should probably get mine checked soon. The symptoms match exactly, low power and smoke issues during acceleration. Did you note the total cost for the filter replacement and sensor fault checks? Also wondering if any other problems showed up in the months after fixing the DPF? The engine light keeps coming on in mine too, so trying to get an idea of what to expect cost-wise.

Since my last post, I got the DPF issue fully resolved after visiting a certified diesel specialist. The repair bill came to 1550€, covering the complete filter replacement and related sensor fault diagnostics. After the fix, the vehicle inspection confirmed everything was working properly. The fuel efficiency improved significantly, and the proper regeneration cycles are now completing normally. The engine performance is back to factory specs with no more smoke issues during acceleration. The backpressure readings are now within normal range, and most importantly, the check engine light hasnt returned in the months since the repair. The investment was substantial but completely worth it for restoring proper engine function and preventing further damage. The key was finding a qualified technician who properly diagnosed the DPF system. Having a complete diagnosis before starting repairs helped avoid any surprise issues afterward. The vehicle has been running perfectly for several months now with no additional problems.

Thanks for the helpful advice. I finally got the DPF issue fixed last week. Found a certified diesel specialist who did a thorough job diagnosing the problem. The final repair came to 1620€ including a complete DPF cleaning and replacing some worn sensors. The exhaust system backpressure is now back to normal levels. Best of all, no more engine light warnings or black smoke during acceleration. The new shop did great work, they even showed me the clogged filter and explained how the regeneration process works. Much better experience than my previous mechanic. The whole repair took about 2 days but my ProMaster is running like new again. For anyone facing similar issues, dont wait too long like I did. Getting it fixed by a qualified technician was definitely worth the cost to prevent more serious engine damage. The performance difference is remarkable now that everything is working properly.