There is a narrow window where a mechanic can clean the DPF by forcing a regeneration but after this narrow window your only option is to fit a new filter to your car. Some cars are fitted with DPF's have a separate tank for a fuel additive which allows the engine to burn off the carbon at a lower temperature.
A local garage or mechanic can clean out your engine with a DPF clean. This chemical treatment will help to unblock and reduce the soot emissions produced by your engine.
There are several ways to clean your DPF filter, you can either clear it yourself by burning the soot away or have it cleaned professionally by a garage. If the blockage persists, you will likely need to replace your DPF filter, which can be costly.
Many mechanics advise having your DPF cleaned every 6-9 months to keep it operating at optimal levels, though you may need to clean it more or less frequently depending on your driving habits.
Some garages can clean blocked DPFs, in a process called forced regeneration. This usually costs around £100 and, while it's not a 100% guaranteed fix, it's usually successful in removing the excess soot and allowing the DPF to work and automatically regenerate again.
Blocked DPFs wreak havoc with the delicate balance of your engine by preventing the normal venting of gases, which causes a variety of engine issues, as described above. In addition to reduced power and fuel efficiency, a blocked filter may eventually cause a dangerous mechanical malfunction and break your engine.
Driving for over 10 minutes at speeds in excess of 40mph will often be sufficient to clear the blockage and regenerate the DPF. You should consult the handbook for your vehicle for more specific guidance on how you should drive to initiate regeneration of the DPF and clear the warning light.
Depending on the model of the car, every 120,000, 150,000 or 180,000 kilometres. Some drivers might struggle with a clogged filter as early as after only a few thousand kilometres.
A DPF can last up to around 100,000 miles if maintained properly. After the car has exceeded that mileage, you could be looking at paying a large amount of money for a replacement - so always properly check MoT and service records when buying a used car.
In these cases, the most common solution adopted by mechanics is to replace the DPF. Still, the diesel particulate filter should be replaced only if it is damaged, while in the event of a blockage, cleaning with specific and certified products is enough.
DPF cleaning involves the use of aqueous cleaning technology and specialist chemicals to reduce the soot emissions generated by your engine. Usually, your DPF removes soot automatically using passive regeneration. Our cleaning service removes the excess soot that is preventing regeneration from taking place.
The easiest and most effective way to de-clog and maintain your DPF filter is to use a combustion catalyst called FTC Decarbonizer. This DPF cleaner has been used successfully in many 4WDs, trucks and bus engines where carbon and soot related problems have started destroying engines.
DPF cleaning cost can be significantly lower than the cost of a replacement, and cleaning can restore the filter's efficiency and performance. The cost of DPF cleaning is around $179 to $500 for most models.
If the soot trapped by a DPF is not removed regularly, the filter can't work properly. This results in a vast build-up of soot. When the DPF is cleaned, the excess soot is burned off. This lowers dangerous emissions and will reduce the amount of black smoke emitted by your vehicle.
DPF Clean Team uses ultrasonic technology for a safe and thorough clean of these units, and has a 96% success rate.
Replacing a DPF can easily cost $4000 to $8000, and sometimes more, it's a big cost… particularly when a vehicle is out of warranty!
For on-highway vehicles, the DPF should be pulled off for its first cleaning after 150,000 to 200,000 miles, and then every 100,000 miles after that for preventive maintenance cleaning, Anderson notes.
Do all diesel cars have DPF problems? All diesels built from 2009 onwards will have a DPF, and some diesels built before this will have one as well.
One final consideration, it takes time for a DPF to block, sometimes years. Once blocked though, turbo failure can occur very quickly.
A forced regeneration can be performed by any service shop with the appropriate diagnostic software. The cost for a forced regeneration varies. Generally, it is between $300-$700 depending on the technician's required diagnostic time and the length of time your DPF regeneration lasts.
Can you ignore the DPF light and carry on driving? Technically yes, but we would not recommend it. If you ignore the DPF light and continue driving, the build-up of soot will soon reach a point whereby your car has to enter 'limp-home' mode in order to prevent any damage to the engine.