Almost all diesel vehicles built after 2009 have a diesel particulate filter. A DPF is designed to trap particles that can cause the unit to release toxic gases. If you have a relatively new car, chances are you have a DPF installed as well.
Over time your engine becomes dirty, and you need equipment for cleaning to ensure the emissions don’t harm the environment.
How does DPF work?
A DPF removes soot from the exhaust, which helps reduce emissions from your vehicle. The DPF passes the exhaust gases through a ceramic wall where particles get trapped on the wall due to its porous structure.
The soot that builds up in the DPF must be cleaned frequently to ensure the filters functions well. You may have noticed black fumes from vehicles manufactured before 2008 because such cars didn’t have DPFs installed. Some of the harmful emissions DPFs help eliminate are;
- Nitrogen oxides
- Carbon monoxide
- Particulate matter
- Hydrocarbons
Did you know that it's illegal to have the DPF in your car removed? It may invalidate your insurance policy, and you could pay fines.
When is the right time to have your DPF cleaned?
It is recommended to have your DPF cleaned every 200,000 or 300,000 miles. This is dependent on your vehicle and oil type. It’s also essential to follow manufacturer recommendations for frequency of cleaning. Please don't wait for the dashboard indicators to tell you it’s time; you can be more proactive and watch out for warning signs that your DPF needs cleaning.
Warning signs to watch out for are a decrease in fuel economy and loss of power. Additionally, cars that idle more usually need DPF cleaning sooner than others. The amount of oil consumed in the rig and the engine hours are also crucial factors.
How do I maintain my DPF?
The primary key to maintaining a DPF is to ensure that the particulate can regenerate itself when there is soot and ash build-up. There are two kinds of regeneration;
Passive regeneration
In the after-treatment device (ATD), the exhaust usually passes over the DOC diesel oxidation catalyst through the DPF, which traps the particulates. Passive regeneration occurs when the heat in the engine builds to the point where soot is combined with oxygen creating carbon dioxide. Then the gas passes through the filters.
On the other hand, ash is a combustion byproduct because no amount of heat can convert it. So over time, the ash will build up to where the filter has to be removed and cleaned.
Passive regeneration happens as you drive your car normally but may not keep the DPF clean throughout a workday, so the filter may have to undergo active regeneration.
Active regeneration
Passive regeneration is usually part of regular engine operation; however, active regeneration requires the car engine to take action. For example, when a truck loaded with 50,000 pounds moving down the highway will have to create enough heat in the engine for a chemical reaction to happen - passive regeneration.
Active regeneration will occur when the engine is not creating the heat it needs. For example, this may happen in a truck that’s not fully loaded. Once the soot level has reached a certain point, the engine injects fuel into the exhaust stream, which goes over the DOC and oxidizes fuel to create heat. The heat from the fuel then converts soot to carbon dioxide.
Both these options happen automatically and without the driver’s input. However, these are great for cleaning the DPF, but you may still have to take your vehicle for cleaning by professionals.
What makes DPF cleaning beneficial for your vehicle?
Prolong your vehicles engine life
A DPF that’s working well traps toxic particulates and converts these through a regenerated process. However, this won't get the job done entirely if the unburned soot builds up and hardens inside the filter.
When ash blocks the airflow and the exhaust, it usually generates backpressure, which forces the engine to work harder and its components to wear out even more quickly. This happens if you travel in city traffic the stop and go traffic during rush hour. The engines work harder to lower gears to get moving after stopping in traffic repeatedly. In such cases, your DPF works even harder to remove particulates and other harmful emissions.
The filters can get regenerated; this is by clearing the emissions and particulates by burning them at high temperatures that are achieved over long drives. But for vehicles usually, in traffic, it can be challenging, so when you have your DPFs cleaned on time, it can help avert this problem.
Improves fuel economy
A dirty DPF will do more harm than wear out your engine; it also consumes more fuel. Since your engine is running inefficiently because of soot and ash build-up, this reduces the vehicle's fuel efficiency.
If you notice more trips to the pump or a considerable decrease in engine power and performance, then it’s probably time to have your DPF cleaned.
Better DPF performance
When soot and ash build up, they may cause the DPF to become ineffective. Over time the residue may even cause irreparable damage to the DPF and will need replacement, which may be costly.
When this happens, it may even cause downtime for you. However, you can steer clear of expensive replacements and lost income by cleaning your DPF regularly.
Avoid hefty fines and penalties.
One of the main benefits of DPF cleaning is complying with the Clean Air Act. Under federal law, it is required that all motorists adhere to strict regulations to maintain air quality, or they are liable to fines and penalties.
A dirty and clogged DPF does not reduce carbon emissions, causing air pollution. Thorough cleaning occasionally, however, will save you more money in terms of repair costs, fuel costs, and fines.
Replacing a DPF can be pricey and can set you back anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000. However, as your vehicle ages, the value decreases, so you may find the price for replacing a DPF in an older model may be more than the value of the car itself. So it’s easier to clean your DPF regularly to avoid such costly problems.