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Renault Scenic: 1.5 dCi (K9K) EGR and DPF clogging

1.5 dCi (K9K) EGR and DPF clogging is a common engine fault on the Renault Scenic on the 2005–2016 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $450 to $2,200 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 6 documented faults on the Renault Scenic.

Vehicle
Renault Scenic
Engine
1.5L
Years
2005–2016
Fuel
diesel
System
Engine

This page covers the Renault Scenic as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Renault Scenic faults6 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Diesel particulate filter or EGR valve yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The 1.5 dCi K9K diesel fitted to Scenic II and III suffers heavy carbon build-up on the EGR valve and clogging of the diesel particulate filter, especially on cars used mainly for short urban trips that never complete a full regeneration. Symptoms include power loss, black smoke, raised fuel use, limp mode and glow-plug or engine warning lights. Left unaddressed the DPF can require replacement, and injector and turbo issues often follow.

What you would notice

  • Loss of power or limp mode
  • Black smoke from the exhaust
  • Increased fuel consumption
  • DPF, glow-plug, or engine management warning light
  • Rough idle or hesitation

How to check it

Where to look. EGR valve on the intake side of the engine and the diesel particulate filter in the exhaust after the turbo

On a diesel example, ideally scan for stored DPF and EGR fault codes and check the DPF soot and ash load, which climbs on short-trip cars typically between 90,000 and 160,000 km. Ask how the car is driven, since mostly short journeys prevent regeneration. On a test drive watch for lag, smoke under load, and limp mode, and check service history for EGR cleaning, injector work, and evidence of oil dilution.

Parts involved: Diesel particulate filter, EGR valve.

What it costs to put right

$450 to $2,200 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

  • “Is the car driven mostly on short urban trips or longer highway runs?”
  • “Has the EGR valve been cleaned or replaced, or the DPF serviced?”
  • “Have there been any limp-mode events or DPF warning lights?”

Now check the Renault Scenic you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in the sources below. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them.

  • AUTODOC Blog (autodoc.co.uk) - Renault Scenic common problems and faults
  • Auto Gas Gaga (gaga.ba) - Renault Scenic 3 1.5 dCi common faults K9K
  • AutomotiveFaults (automotivefaults.com) - Renault Scenic II diesel common faults

Renault Scenic buyer questions

Is 1.5 dci (k9k) egr and dpf clogging serious on a Renault Scenic?

We rate it major and common on the Renault Scenic. The 1.5 dCi K9K diesel fitted to Scenic II and III suffers heavy carbon build-up on the EGR valve and clogging of the diesel particulate filter, especially on cars used mainly for short urban trips that never complete a full regeneration. Symptoms include power loss, black smoke, raised fuel use, limp mode and glow-plug or engine warning lights. Left unaddressed the DPF can require replacement, and injector and turbo issues often follow.

How much does it cost to fix on a Renault Scenic?

$450 to $2,200 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Renault Scenic years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2005–2016 Renault Scenic. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

On a diesel example, ideally scan for stored DPF and EGR fault codes and check the DPF soot and ash load, which climbs on short-trip cars typically between 90,000 and 160,000 km. Ask how the car is driven, since mostly short journeys prevent regeneration. On a test drive watch for lag, smoke under load, and limp mode, and check service history for EGR cleaning, injector work, and evidence of oil dilution. Look here: EGR valve on the intake side of the engine and the diesel particulate filter in the exhaust after the turbo