Finally, one very quick and easy way to clean a diesel particulate filter is to use specialty-made DPF chemical cleaning solutions. For most of these cleaning additives, you won't even need to remove the filter!
A pressure gun and compressed air can be used to remove loose ash in the filter, but not the stuck soot particles. Pressure-wash the DPF filter with heated water, spraying in the opposite direction of the exhaust flow. If all else fails, schedule service at a -area service center.
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.
How Long Should A Diesel Particulate Filter Last? 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.
Nevertheless, a general rule of thumb to follow is that you should run the engine at least 40 mph and at least 2500 rpm. Ignoring the DPF light, or failing to clear the blockage in a timely manner, will lead to continued soot build up in the DPF.
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.
clean it! A diesel particulate filter is a device that traps unburned carbon particles, commonly known as fine particulate matter. These pollutants are produced during normal engine operation and the role of the particulate filter is to clean them out.
There are many tell-tale signs you can look for if you suspect your DPF is blocked. When the filter becomes faulty or clogged up with soot, you will normally be alerted to this by an orange light on your dashboard. The emission of black soot is another sign that you need to have your DPF cleaned.
While your vehicle won't stop running the moment the light turns on, continuous driving can lead to more severe issues like decreased fuel efficiency, reduced performance, and in the worst case, engine damage. An illuminated DPF light will cause an MOT failure.
Manual regeneration is often required when vehicles are driven at insufficient speed to allow regeneration to be carried out automatically by their engine management control software. The vehicle is already suffering with driveability and lack of power problems.
Drive over 40 mph (64 kph) to begin active regeneration.
Begin driving and pay attention to both the engine and vehicle speed. Try to keep the engine speed around 2500 rpm. Active regeneration increases the temperature in the DPF to turn the particles into gas which can be expelled.
Rinse it off: After you have sufficiently cleaned the surface with compressed air, you can take a garden hose, stretch it out and attach a high-pressure nozzle. Spray down the DPF with a powerful, narrow jet of water and thoroughly clean it out, shooting water through both ends of the filter.
Things to consider about Diesel Particulate Filters
Driving for short periods at low speed reduces the lifespan of your DPF. 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.
High amounts of carbon build-up within the VNT mechanism and lever arms indicate a blocked DPF, and the driver may experience turbo lag or over boost of the turbo.
If it gets bad enough, a dusty air filter can cause damage to the engine, catalytic converter, DPF filters, oxygen sensors, and other vital components resulting in costly repairs.
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 ...
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 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.
Here's how to look after your particulate filter
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.
The garage may be able to force the DPF regeneration by connecting the engine management system to a diagnostics machine. This typically costs around £250, but can also damage the DPF through thermal shock.
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.