Check engine light while traveling

[BigTexEd]

Hello,

I’m about 800 miles from home. I got a check engine light (non flashing) on the way to Colorado Springs. I have an OBDII scanner and it flagged P24D1 which is a soot particulate sensor issue. It won’t clear after over 200 miles of driving up here. I tried to clear it with the OBD tool, but it returned immediately. I called MB and they said they will tow it anywhere. I called the nearest services center and they said it would be 6-8 weeks before they could look at it.

Do you think it’s ok to drive home (800 miles) with this code persistent?

2021 View 24D. 3.0 Diesel.

 

[Winterbagoal]

If your OBDII scanner can monitor real time engine data, you might set it to watch exhaust temperature before SCR, and exhaust back pressure. If there was a soot build up, it would probably cause those 2 items to rise above their normal (assuming you've watched them before and know what normal is) readings. That might indicate a problem, but if the ride is mostly freeway, it should keep the DPF cleaner than low speed driving/idling. Did you notice any performance issues during the 200 miles trying to clear the CEL?
6-8 weeks for the MB dealer to look at it? Keep in mind it's a chassis issue, not coach (WGO).

 

[BigTexEd]

If your OBDII scanner can monitor real time engine data, you might set it to watch exhaust temperature before SCR, and exhaust back pressure. If there was a soot build up, it would probably cause those 2 items to rise above their normal (assuming you've watched them before and know what normal is) readings. That might indicate a problem, but if the ride is mostly freeway, it should keep the DPF cleaner than low speed driving/idling. Did you notice any performance issues during the 200 miles trying to clear the CEL?
6-8 weeks for the MB dealer to look at it? Keep in mind it's a chassis issue, not coach (WGO).

Most excellent idea. I’ll watch the back pressure. This is 100% freeway driving. I didn’t notice any drop in performance during the 200 miles with the light on. I didn’t think to check the back pressure before this. I’ll watch the trends to make sure not rising. Thank you.

 

[Winterbagoal]

You're welcome. I have the Scangauge II, and added a whole wack of MB 3.0L V6 X-Gauges to it, that were a pita to add, but you never know when you might need them. Those 2 items are among the list of add ons.
While I can't say categorically that everything will be perfect, I'd give it a shot if it were me, and keep watch on those items for any steady or sudden increase in numbers. If there is a problem further down the road, I'd hope that the rest of the sensor array will trigger more CELs, hopefully before any real problems occur.
It's only another 800 miles further? What could possibly go wrong?
Good luck with it. Fingers crossed.

 

[BigTexEd]

Does my sprinter have a “forced regeneration button?” I thought that was done automatically. I don’t know if the 2021 has a button for the forced regeneration. Do you know?

 

[Winterbagoal]

Does my sprinter have a “forced regeneration button?” I thought that was done automatically. I don’t know if the 2021 has a button for the forced regeneration. Do you know?

I don't have one on my 2017 NCV3 cab chassis (2018 Navion 24V). I suspect it's a "unicorn" on your VS30 chassis, too.
The official word on regens is they only happen when the ECU thinks they're necessary, or when they are forced by the dealership service techs. I watch my fluid temp X-Gauges (oil, coolant, trans fluid) and if I see them spike, I'm probably in regen mode. I also have a "RGN" X-Gauge that tells me when one is happening.

 

[lenore-WO]

Yes I wish we could force Regens, I have seen my Scanguage read 100 for a long time than finally a regen happens. The EGR system on these guys can cause lots of issues.

 

[BigTexEd]

Update. Drove home 800+ miles while observing back pressure and a few other things. CEL stayed on the whole time. This morning I fired it up and CEL was off. Nothing to see here.

 

[Winterbagoal]

Update. Drove home 800+ miles while observing back pressure and a few other things. CEL stayed on the whole time. This morning I fired it up and CEL was off. Nothing to see here.

Thanks for the update. It might help someone else with a similar issue.
Glad it worked out well.