Things to consider about Diesel Particulate Filters It is illegal to drive a diesel vehicle without a DPF or remove the DPF from your car. Driving with a malfunctioning DPF filter may damage your car engine.
Don't ignore a warning light
If you get a warning light showing that the filter's blocked, it should be possible to complete an active regeneration cycle and clear the warning light by driving for 10 minutes or so at speeds over 40mph.
It's a failure to correctly regenerate that is the cause of most diesel particulate filter issues: they become blocked, which increases exhaust emissions, stifles engine performance and sometimes even puts the car into a restricted 'limp-home mode'.
The vehicle can still be driven, however it is advised that the customer should visit a dealer where they can perform a stationary service regeneration using a service tool.” That's pretty typical. It is also worth mentioning the fire risk.
A warning light letting you know your DPF is blocked should not be ignored, but can in many instances be remedied by driving in a way which initiates passive/active regeneration of the DPF. Driving for over 10 minutes at speeds in excess of 40mph will often be sufficient to clear the blockage and regenerate the DPF.
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!
You should take your car on a run to allow the regeneration process to take place. Most engine management systems will actively regenerate the DPF when the car is driven at speeds above 40mph for around 10 to 15 minutes.
Engine Low on power. Engine cannot rev to high RPMS. Black smoke from exhaust upon acceleration. Odour of diesel fuel into the cabin.
The use of improper fluid will trigger a decrease in engine performance. In the empty and ignored state, vehicle speed will be limited to 5 mph until DEF is detected in the tank. The parked regeneration may take up to 40 minutes.
One final consideration, it takes time for a DPF to block, sometimes years. Once blocked though, turbo failure can occur very quickly.
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.
The first and the most common way is to go for a long highway drive. Consistently heavy engine loads, high-RPM for 20min-30min, are generally sufficient for the exhaust gasses to turn hot enough to burn off the collected soot and clear the DPF.
A blocked DPF or obstructed exhaust will force your engine to work harder to expel exhaust gases, reducing available power and increasing fuel consumption.
It is illegal to remove or a PDF.
Australian Design Regulations are contravened when you change the vehicle from the tested and approved designn NSW, individual fines are up to $11,000 and company vehicle fines up to $22,000 and the EPA are implementing similiar legislation across Australia.
So how do you tell that your engine is performing an active DPF regeneration? One signal to look for is your cooling fans running at a higher capacity than normal, or the sound of your engine may change note. Sometimes, a hot and pungent smell can also start coming from your engine as the soot is being burned away.
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.
Act immediately or your only option will be to take the car to a garage for repair. There are no additives or methods that will clean a BLOCKED DPF. 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.
The most common reasons for DPF blockages are: Short journeys where the engine doesn't reach optimum operating temperature; Clogged EGR Valve increasing diesel soot passed to the DPF; Faulty fuel injectors sending too much fuel to the air/fuel mixture; Incorrect engine oil upon servicing the car ; Turbocharger failure ...
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.
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.
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. As long as you drive longer distances at least a couple of times a month, your DPF should have plenty of opportunities to regenerate itself.