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.
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.
A full tank of additive should last around 70,000 miles.
Driving your car without a particulate filter, or removing the filter, is illegal and should not be attempted.
If this happens, the best thing that you can do is immediately take the car out on a dual carriageway or motorway for 15 minutes of continuous driving to give the DPF an opportunity to regenerate.
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.
Depending on the model of the car, every 120,000, 150,000 or 180,000 kilometres. Some drivers might struggle with a clogged filter as early as after only a few thousand kilometres.
One final consideration, it takes time for a DPF to block, sometimes years. Once blocked though, turbo failure can occur very quickly.
If your car has an automatic transmission, shift your gears in a manual mode by moving the gear shift gently. No need to use the speed limiter, it is with no seeming value added. Ride like this for a minimum of 30 minutes. This will initiate a regeneration cycle, and your DPF will be cleaned.
Perhaps the most critical disadvantage of removing DPF is the increase in soot and particulate matter volume in the air. Besides, you will be more likely to be fined for removing DPF based on the regulations that governments pass for climate control.
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.
A DPF delete, basically means to run the engine without having the diesel particulate filter installed. Therefore, the DPF must be removed and replaced with an exhaust pipe (downpipe) that does not have a filter installed.
The simple answer is no. DPF deletion does not affect vehicles' engine performance, power generation and horsepower.
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.
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!
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 ...
There are two main types of DPF regeneration: passive and active; however, DPF regeneration can be performed manually using a scan tool.
In most cases, the automated software won't delete these parts of the file, but then leaving part of the DPF file in place will also bring problems such as the vehicle falling back into limp mode, the DPF light coming back on, excessive smoke and as a result of this, an MOT Failure.
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.