DPF Delete: The pros and cons of removing your pickup’s DPF exhaust system Ever since the first pickup truck was built, owners have been trying to get more power and performance from their engines. Today this is especially true of diesel pickups, as owners want increased performance and are always looking for ways to achieve their goals.
Removing your car's diesel particulate filter (DPF) might be tempting, because the damage caused by a clogged DPF can result in four-figure repair bills. An internet search reveals numerous companies advertising DPF removal services, but as well as being bad for the environment this is also illegal, and the Government has moved to tighten up the regulations concerning such practices.
In October 2013 Robert Goodwill, roads minister, announced that garages and testing stations will be required check for a DPF as part of the MoT test from February 2014. The vehicle will automatically fail test if the filter had been fitted as standard but is no longer present.
Located within the exhaust system, a DPF captures small soot particles, preventing them from being expelled into the atmosphere. As with any filter it needs emptying periodically and this is done automatically, by burning up the particulates in a process called regeneration.
To meet or exceed European-dictated emissions standards, DPFs have been fitted to most diesel cars for almost a decade and, because they need high temperatures to regenerate, low mileage stop-start motoring can cause them to block. Should a fascia warning lamp be ignored, expensive engine damage can occur.
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For them to work efficiently, the car needs to be driven at a constant speed, for at least fifteen minutes, to allow the DPF to heat up enough to regenerate. Certain motorists, such as urban commuters, might find this impossible.
The latest diesel engines are less prone to problems, because they are more efficient and burn off soot faster. Even in normal use, however, DPFs tend to need replacement after a certain mileage has elapsed, the rate of which varies between 80,000 and 150,000 miles, dependent on the car make and model, the type of use and whether or not the engine has had regular oil changes with a lubricant that does not contain additives that block the filter.
Instead of having a new DPF fitted, it is possible to have it cleaned. A handful of companies offer a mail-order chemical cleaning service, which means your car will off the road for at least 48 hours, but which could potentially save you hundreds of pounds.
Another alternative is to buy a new aftermarket DPF, which could save you up to 65% compared with the main dealership price. While carmakers might argue that the alternative part is inferior, all DPFs for cars made from 2009 and many prior to that date, are subject to independent Type Approval tests for performance and longevity.
The Government’s decision to actively enforce the regulations regarding DPF removal are welcome, since they remove any possible doubt concerning the issue and mean that a device designed to reduce pollution functions as it should.
Motorists may rue the financial implications of a clogged DPF, but technical advances are likely to continue to improve their efficiency and reliability.
If nothing else, the change in policy is likely to draw more attention to the issue and perhaps make buyers think carefully about their requirements when buying a new car. If your driving habits are not suited to keeping a DPF running smoothly, you should consider buying a petrol model instead.
What is a DPF Filter?
If you have heard this word for the first time then you may not know what it is. Diesel particulate filter or DPF traps soot from your vehicle’s exhaust along with ash from its motor oil. Much of the sediment gets burned off during a truck’s operation; nevertheless, ash remains inside the filter’s honeycomb substrate and gets removed only by periodic servicing. The DPF present on your vehicle catches particulates as well as burns these turning them into a type of fine gray ash while self-cleaning “regen” kind of cycles. As time passes, the fine ash gathers and gets the filter full. Therefore it then needs to be cleaned or also replaced.
Exhaust present in highway trucks tends to be often hot enough to burn off much soot during the process known as “passive regeneration.” Nevertheless, those that experience stop-and-go operations and which idle much are not able to make their exhaust get hot enough. The ideal case is that the latter should “actively” burn out soot specifically from the substrate. It is performed by injecting more fuel precisely upstream of the oxygen catalyst. It can also be done by plugging in some electric heater at the time it is parked.
The active removal of soot via on-board regeneration may happen about one or also more times in a day. This depends on the kind of operation it has. This usually is not noticed by the driver when an indicator light can be seen on in the instrument panel. Nevertheless, the warning can get more prominent via the light indicators. The driver should then stop and start an active regeneration.
The ash coming from motor oil remains in the filter’s substrate. This should often be blown or also washed out. To do this, the DPF gets removed from the vehicle. It is then put on a machine. After this, it sends compressed air via the substrate. In fact, it occurs in a series of some measured puffs.
DPF Cleaning Kits
When it comes to DPF cleaning kits these only function sometimes. You may be wondering do DPF cleaners work. They function by making the temperature of your DPF get increased moreover burning up accumulations particularly at a temperature that is more than reasonable. Due to the very high temperatures gained in DPF cleaning kit usage, it can work sometimes and provide the DPF more life, but sometimes it cannot clean the blockage.
Removing The DPF Filter
If you want to try and learn how to remove the DPF filter for cleaning, you need to very careful. This procedure needs to be done with the utmost care so that nothing gets damaged. When wanting to remove the DPF it depends on the vehicle you have. Below is an explanation of how to remove the DPF filter in a Ford or also Volvo truck. Start off by removing your engine cover as well as intake piping. You will have to disconnect the EGT, O2 sensor plugs, along with pressure. If you do not know where these are located, these plugs may be found along the firewall. After this, you will need to remove the heat shielding present around the DPF. The passenger side axle at the front should be removed.
After you have done this, then you will need to jack up your car. Do this carefully. Support your car securely so that it does not move.
After the car is securely fixed at one place, you should then disconnect the V-band clamps that are present on your exhaust system. It is essential that you divide the two huge bolts present on your vehicle’s DPF bracket.
If you have been able to do all of the above correctly, it will now be possible to remove the handy EGR filter carefully. The case may be so that you will often have to replace your EGR filter now also.
Your vehicle’s underbody heat shield bolts will now have to be removed. These are those that are around 3 feet long present below your truck. The cross-body brace also needs to be removed. You will notice that this possesses four bolts that connect the left along with right sides. It also goes under your vehicle’s exhaust.
Now it is time to remove the vital upper DPF bracket bolts. You should remove the plugs then set aside the wiring as required. You may need to lower the front subframe to get access. It also may be possible to do this by removing the passenger side axle simply. You need to be careful that the engine along with transmission are adequately supported from above. This is vital so that it does not fall. You may need to only lower it around 6 inches. Remember that losing the subframe can alter the alignment settings. Therefore, you may have to have a wheel alignment later.
At the time that you are snaking your DPF out, you should try and rotate it around 180 degrees to clear your steering rack. This same case is present when installing it. Invert the DPF moreover move this over your steering rack.
This is the way to proceed with diesel particulate filter removal so that you can clean it. The process to remove the DPF filter in a vehicle is somewhat complicated. If you want you can try it out, but you need to be very careful not to damage anything in the process.
Cleaning The DPF Filter
If you want to clean the DPF fully then it will be necessary to remove your filter from your vehicle physically. After this, the mechanical cleaning of the passages needs to occur:
Regeneration:DPF regeneration is the process by which soot is removed from the filter. This can occur in a number of ways known as active, passive and parked regeneration. For example, active regeneration can be achieved by driving at speeds of over 40mph for 10 minutes using at least 2500 RPM and sticking in 3rd/4th gear. However, your choice of active, passive or forced regeneration will depend on the condition of your vehicle. For example, vehicles used regularly for around town driving rarely achieve the conditions required for regeneration, resulting in the filter becoming blocked. In such cases, active regeneration is normally recommended. You can see more information here.
High-Pressure Cleaning Cabinets: High-pressure type of DPF cleaning cabinets tends to backflush compressed air specifically into the filter as well as capture the present fine ash. You need to take safety precautions while doing this.
Local DPF Cleaning Specialist: If you don’t have any experience with DPFs like most people, then you may want an expert to handle the DPF cleaning for you. If you live in the United States, there will more than likely be a DPF cleaner in your local area. However, we should warn you – it probably won’t be cheap.
How do you find a DPF specialist in your area? We found two handy tools that you can use to find a local DPF specialist:
1. DPF cleaner specialist:Find a DPF Specialist.
2. Carbon cleaner specialist:Find a Carbon Clean Specialist.
2. Carbon cleaner specialist:Find a Carbon Clean Specialist.
DPF Cleaning Additives: One quick and easy fix for a dirty DPF is a DPF cleaning additive. These DPF cleaners are relatively new to the market but are readily available online or even at your local motor shop.
How do these filters work? Well DPF cleaning additives contain cerine additives. These additives bond to the soot particles and by doing so reduces the temperature at which they combust. This ten enables the DPF to passively regenerate while you drive around town. Click here to learn more about passive regeneration.
Cut It Open: One can cut open the assembly to clean it themselves but this also needs good skill not to harm the insulation.
Alternatives To DPF Cleaning
It is very tough to clean the DPF by yourself unless you are an expert at this. An alternative is that you can buy a rebuilt DPF.
Precautions For DPF Cleaning
For those who are cleaning the DPF themselves, you should wear a respirator. You want to avoid breathing in the fine ash coming from engine combustion.