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.
If a journey is too short, the regeneration can't be completed so the warning light will continue to appear since the DPF is still partially blocked. If this is the case, driving for 10 – 20 minutes at speeds greater than 40mph, you could complete a regeneration cycle and clear the warning light.
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.
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.
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.
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.
DPF deletion does not affect vehicles' engine performance, power generation and horsepower. It can improve performance by freeing up space in the engine bay and reducing weight. However, there are some potential drawbacks to consider before going ahead with a DPF delete.
Once blocked though, turbo failure can occur very quickly. If you don't check for a DPF issue when installing a replacement turbo, there is a very high chance the replacement turbo will suffer the same failure, as it will be subject to the same operating environment as the previous unit.
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 ...
A blocked DPF or obstructed exhaust will force your engine to work harder to expel exhaust gases, reducing available power and increasing fuel consumption.
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.
Signs of a clogged DPF include reduced engine performance, increased fuel consumption and exhaust emissions… or simply the display of the DPF light in your cockpit.
If the DPF warning light comes on it's because the engine management system needs to 'actively' regenerate the DPF. You should take your car on a run to allow the regeneration process to take place.
However, the average DPF replacement cost is around £1,000-£2,000 in the UK. However, the usual price range can be between £750-£3,000. The majority of the cost is the material cost for the filter. The diesel particulate filter cost can range from £600-£2,600, while labour costs average around £150-£400.
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.
When an EGR valve becomes clogged or stuck close, it can increase the amount of diesel soot passed on to the DPF, contributing towards faster blockage. A clogged EGR valve alone can cause a rough idle and heavy knocking, both of which are tell-tale signs of pre-detonation.
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.
Removing the DPF from your car is an illegal operation that can cost you dearly. The article L. 318-3 of the highway Code prohibits very explicitly since 2014 to « remove a pollution control device ».
Although some people think of DPFs as a liability because they can affect engine performance when they get clogged, removing your DPF is generally not worth the risk.
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.
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.
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.