If you're competent under a car with a set of spanners, there's nothing stopping the would-be DIYer from taking the DPF off their car, A few cuts, DPF internal gutting, and a competent weld up just might be enough to hide your illegal actions from your local MOT tester but ultimately, it'll be the ECU which will cause ...
Is it illegal to remove a diesel particulate filter? Yes, it is illegal. Owners face fines if caught and removing a DPF can also invalidate your car insurance policy.
A DPF delete removes a vehicle's DPF and configures the computer system to function without it. While there are an endless number of kits available, there are two main components to any DPF delete: the exhaust and the tuner.
If you do not remap your ECU and remove the DPF, the ECU would still be expecting sensory data and give you errors regarding a system malfunction. Most people opt for removing a DPF without remapping the ECU. They use sensors trickers that give a false reading to the ECU and cause it to feel everything is normal.
Businesses who delete/modify DPF systems: A person who removes, disconnects or impairs the operation of an anti-pollution device fitted to a motor vehicle is guilty of an offence under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997. On the spot fines of $1500 for a corporation and $750 for an individual applies.
Drilling holes in substrates of diesel particulate filters to make exhaust gases flow more freely through the honeycomb structures. This defeats the purpose of the DPF, which is to remove soot from the exhaust, and affects reliability of the devices, noted Kevin Otto, service director for Cummins Emissions Solutions.
Removing a DPF is easy !
The first is with software use. It consists of reprogramming the computer so that it no longer takes the diesel particulate filter into account. The second part consists of acting directly on the exhaust pipe. The DPF is then separated, vacated, and then again welded on the line.
One of the most critical issues is the increased risk of engine damage leading to higher maintenance costs and truck repairs. Without the DPF filter in place, diesel engines accumulated soot and other particulates can build up on engine components and cause excessive wear to trucks.
In many cases, a proper DPF delete will result in gaining over 100 horsepower while improving your fuel mileage and the lifetime of your vehicle.
Aside from increasing your risk of being charged with motoring law violations, removing your DPF and EGR can improve your car's power, performance, and fuel efficiency.
Perhaps the most critical disadvantage of removing DPF is the increase in soot and particulate matter volume in the air. Besides, you will be more likely to be fined for removing DPF based on the regulations that governments pass for climate control.
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.
DPF BENEFITS
Better fuel economy: Fuel economy is a big winner after deleting the DPF. Not only will a vehicle conserve the fuel that is utilized by the filter for regenerative purposes, but a cleaner running engine is also an engine that runs more efficiently.
No. If a vehicle is in good mechanical condition and has been well maintained then removing the DPF will not result in a smoke test failure. However, a mechanical engine issue which results in the engine running too rich and producing excessive smoke could lead to a failure.
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.
The DPF regeneration process creates very high exhaust gas temperatures and the exhaust will radiate a considerable amount of heat during and after DPF regeneration, and after you have switched the engine off. This is a potential fire hazard.
You feel a loss of power in your engine (limp mode). The DPF light will appear on your dashboard. Passive and active regeneration keep failing. A pungent smell of diesel.
This also means that if a car with a DPF is producing noticeable smoke, the DPF is very likely to have been removed or damaged. Black smoke is not the only smoke you might see from a diesel tailpipe - especially on a cold morning, you may well have seen white smoke.
All you have to do is get your car on an A road or motorway on a regular basis, such as every 300 miles. You then need to run it for 10-20 minutes at speeds in excess of 40mph. This will heat up your exhaust and burn off any soot in the filter.
No, it's illegal to remove or delete your EGR. Your vehicle has been designed by the manufacturer to operate with an EGR system. It is illegal and will also void the manufacturer's warranty on your vehicle and Australian consumer law protections.
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.
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.
The cost of a DPF delete can vary depending on several factors, including make/model/year of vehicle, what type of tuner you use, and which shop performs the work. Generally speaking, though, most people report spending between $400-$1,000 for their DPF deletes, including parts and labor.