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.
A diesel particulate filter on a poorly serviced car may fail sooner than a well maintained one, generally, they should last for at least 100,000 miles.
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!
Over time, the DPF wears out. Regeneration cycles are absolutely essential as they intended to burn off the collected fine particles. Without them, the DPF would clog very quickly.
When mild service is necessary, the Bluechem DPF Top Gun Cleaner combined with the High Pressure Gun allows automotive service shop to clean the DPF without removing it from the vehicle. For High build-up of soot and residuals (Clogged DPF), severe service of the DPF flushing is the solution.
In these cases, the most common solution adopted by mechanics is to replace the DPF. Still, the diesel particulate filter should be replaced only if it is damaged, while in the event of a blockage, cleaning with specific and certified products is enough.
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.
Things to consider about Diesel Particulate Filters
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.
If you want to keep the cost of replacement down then you can purchase a new Diesel Particulate Filter online or at a garage and install it yourself at home to save on fitting costs. This is a step by step guide on how to replace your DPF should you need to.
REDUCE IDLING
Even at low engine speeds particulates are emitted by your engine, so keeping your engine ticking over when you're parked or not moving can clog your filter quicker, because DPF regeneration cannot occur at idle.
The DPF regeneration cycle takes approximately an hour and a half (1 1/2 hours) to complete and can be completed as part of a routine service.
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.
Businesses who delete/modify DPF systems: A person who removes, disconnects or impairs the operation of an anti-pollution device fitted to a motor vehicle is guilty of an offence under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997. On the spot fines of $1500 for a corporation and $750 for an individual applies.
In many cases, a proper DPF delete will result in gaining over 100 horsepower while improving your fuel mileage and the lifetime of your vehicle.
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.
The inner components of a DPF are expensive to manufacture as the soot / particulate they filter are so small. The matrix which catches the pollutants is also made from exotic materials such as porous ceramics and silicon carbide.
The easiest and most effective way to de-clog and maintain your DPF filter is to use a combustion catalyst called FTC Decarbonizer. This DPF cleaner has been used successfully in many 4WDs, trucks and bus engines where carbon and soot related problems have started destroying engines.
If you only ever use your car for quick trips, the DPF may not reach the temperature needed to regenerate, causing a blockage that could lead to a breakdown. So, if you drive a diesel, you should always make sure to take longer journeys every so often to keep your DPF clean and in good working order.
Do all diesel cars have DPF problems? All diesels built from 2009 onwards will have a DPF, and some diesels built before this will have one as well.