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.
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.
Because turbochargers work by increasing the pressure inside your engine above normal levels, any blockages in your system can cause severe damage to the turbocharger. If you have a turbocharger and a blocked DPF, then your engine may be pressurised to dangerous levels, putting you at risk of gas and oil leaks.
Sometimes, a hot and pungent smell can also start coming from your engine as the soot is being burned away. Your stop / start function may also deactivate. Driving for 15 minutes as speeds above 40mph should provide your DPF filter with enough heat to burn away the soot by itself.
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.
Low engine RPM
Alongside the engine not producing much power, the engine may not be able to rev very high, sometimes reaching a top RPM of 3,000. This is a consequence of both the exhaust gases restricting the engine's usual cycle, and because of the lack of turbo pressure.
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.
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.
However, due to the nature of city traffic, the regeneration process can be interrupted when the vehicle completes its short journey and is turned off. If this occurs, the ECU is programmed to recommence the process when the engine is restarted and back up to temperature again.
Protecting Equipment. Today's aftermarket equipment makes it even more important to reduce idling. When idling, the vehicle is not operating at the ideal temperatures that allow soot to burn off the diesel particulate filter (DPF).
How to unblock a DPF? 1) DPF Regeneration - Find a motorway near you where you can drive at 70+ MPH for 30-45 minutes; this should provide the optimal conditions for the regeneration process to complete. If this works, consider a regular drive along a motorway regularly to allow the regeneration process to complete.
When the accumulating soot reaches about 45%, the DPF switches to active regeneration. The car forces higher exhaust temperatures, burning the soot in the process.
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 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 ...
If you notice a reduction in the car's power, acceleration, or fuel efficiency, then it is likely time to get your DPF checked. If your car is emitting more smoke than usual, it could be a sign that the DPF is clogged and needs replacement. A blocked DPF can also cause a foul odour to emanate from the car's exhaust.
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 ».
Since DPFs and EGRs effectively reduce engine performance by obstructing your exhaust and diluting the fuel/air mix in your combustion chambers, removing them may result in: Improved fuel economy. Decreased engine temperatures. Minor increases to engine power.
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.
To properly clean the Diesel Particulate Filter while driving, you will need to ride. The highway represents an ideal ground for this exercise, but simple roads will do the business. Maintain an engine speed of at least 3,000 rpm. Indeed, the engine's level of heating is indirectly linked to the heating of the DPF too.
When properly installed and maintained, DPFs should remain effective for the life of the vehicle, generally five to ten years or 10,000 or more hours of operation. Engine problems with fuel control or oil consumption may quickly deteriorate the performance of a DPF.
If the journey is too short or the vehicle does not have enough fuel the DPF regeneration process might not work. To allow the DPF to regularly regenerate it's advised the fuel tank is more than a quarter full, otherwise, the vehicle will opt to save fuel instead of redirecting it for DPF regeneration.
Heat the engine
The easiest and cheapest method of DPF filter cleaning is by driving the vehicle for a long-distance at high revs per minute.