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.
Never attempt to remove a DPF and to start forced regeneration. This should only be done by a qualified mechanic, as it's easy to accidentally damage your vehicle.
The forced regeneration process can take up to 30 minutes. DPFs require more maintenance than catalytic converters. The ash from the engine oil accumulates on the inner walls of the ceramic and in the pores. This increases the pressures in the DPF and if clogged, can even damage the engine.
If your vehicle has switched to 'limp' mode it will not be possible to regenerate the DPF filter automatically and will need to be professionally cleaned.
The easiest and cheapest method of DPF filter cleaning is by driving the vehicle for a long-distance at high revs per minute. Doing this increases the heat of the exhaust and burns the soot blocking the DPF filter. It's best to drive on a motorway or A road where you can keep the vehicle at a consistent speed.
To make sure that the regeneration takes place, most manufacturers suggest that every few hundred miles, the car is driven for a period of more than 15 minutes at a consistent speed of more than 40mph. Doing this should kick-start regeneration and clear the filter.
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.
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. Nevertheless, a general rule of thumb to follow is that you should run the engine at least 40 mph and at least 2500 rpm.
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.
Regeneration, or regen, of the DPF filter, is the process that burns the soot accumulation that is inside the DPF filter. If you can no longer start a regen then you will eventually get stuck in a derate which will then lead to an engine shut down.
On average, it takes between thirty and sixty minutes to complete a forced regeneration. The substantial heat required for the regen renders the engine and aftertreatment system untouchable until it has time to cool down.
How long does a parked DPF regen take? It takes approximately 20-60+ minutes. It will continue to regen until the soot level has reached 'low' or '0%. ' Some trucks will let you monitor your soot level gauge on the dashboard.
How Often Does DPF Regeneration Occur? Active regeneration happens roughly every 300 miles and is triggered by your car's electronic control unit (ECU) once your soot level is approaching 40 to 45%. Passive regeneration should occur when you take your car on longer journeys at higher speeds.
If this happens, just carry on driving, keeping your engine speed above 2,000 revolutions per minute and shifting down if necessary. The filter-cleaning process will start - and we recommend you don't stop the journey or switch off the engine until it's finished.
The DPF will not regenerate if:
The engine management light is on for any fault; There is a faulty EGR valve; There is less than 20 litres of fuel in the fuel tank, if the fuel light is on or the engine management light is illuminated.
A blocked DPF or obstructed exhaust will force your engine to work harder to expel exhaust gases, reducing available power and increasing fuel consumption.
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.
One final consideration, it takes time for a DPF to block, sometimes years. Once blocked though, turbo failure can occur very quickly.
Although it is not illegal to remove a DPF filter form your vehicle, it is an offence under the Road vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations (Regulation 61a(3))1 to use a vehicle which has been modified in such a way that it no longer complies with the air pollutant emissions standards it was designed to meet.