My XF has different regeneration system to my older S Type diesel. The S type (2005 RH drive 2.7 twin turbo diesel 33k miles) occasionally produces a "parafin type smell" and clouds of smoke from the LH front wheel arch, which is the particulate filter burning off the excess carbon.
yesterday we did a couple of hundred miles in the car at motorway speeds, and on returning home noticed the "hot parafin" like smell. Today after a few miles the car went into "Restricted Performance Mode" which I think may be that it did not complete its regeneration cycle.

Has anybody any idea of how to make it manually perform the task again? Presumably there must be a sensor somewhere inside the unit which indicates the filter system is full and initiates the burn off process.

Secondly has anyone taken the filter to pieces to clean it and if so how?/

 

I can't help you DB, but which of your two cars has the problem? I have seen this covered over in the S Type section.

 

The S type is the problem at the moment, but also the XF on occasions. Mainly due to short journeys, and engine not getting hot enough. The S type was on a 200 mile motorway journey the day before it went into restricted mode, and should have regenerated on the long journey. At Goodwood today Jaguar told me to raise the engine rpm to 3000 for 10 minutes, to clear the DPF.
Worringly the new XF has a 8 speed gearbox, so will cruise at even lower speeds, and hence will suffer even more DPF problems. About time there was some sort of manual override so that the owner can do it on a regular basis if doing short journeys or stop start.

 

You may be right, I am not totally conversant with the problem but have read stories of total engine loss due to oil dilution IIRC, that should not happen with normal driving.