It's true, a DPF might last 200,000 miles before getting clogged and sending the engine into limp mode. However, when that DPF is cleaned, there will be a large amount of hardened ash, which might not be able to be completely removed. By the second or third cleaning interval, the DPF could be irreparably damaged.
A DPF can last up to around 100,000 miles if maintained properly. After the car has exceeded that mileage, you could be looking at paying a large amount of money for a replacement – so always properly check MoT and service records when buying a used car.
Over time, the DPF wears out. Regeneration cycles are absolutely essential as they intended to burn off the collected fine particles.
Car fleets name the Mazda 6 as the most problematic vehicle fitted with a DPF, with 21% of enquiries coming from this model. The BMW 120, 320 and 520 series comes a close second with 13% of enquiries. BMW 330 and 530 models also made the top five.
Alter your driving habits
Do your research and find out how many miles you need to drive, and at what speed, to initiate the regeneration process and allow it sufficient time to complete. This will prevent any build-up of soot and particulates in the filter and extends the life-expectancy of your DPF.
How Often Does DPF Regeneration Occur? Active regeneration happens roughly every 300 miles and is triggered by your car's electronic control unit (ECU) once your soot level is approaching 40 to 45%. Passive regeneration should occur when you take your car on longer journeys at higher speeds.
The easiest and cheapest method of DPF filter cleaning is by driving the vehicle for a long-distance at high revs per minute.
There are many articles and technical documents relating to how a faulty turbo can lead to DPF damage, however, the DPF is actually responsible for more turbo related failures than you might think.
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.
Poor servicing and vehicle maintenance can also cause a DPF to become blocked. Generally, a DPF should last at least 100,000 miles if the vehicle is well serviced and looked after. Book a your vehicle in for a service now on Caura to ensure your engine and all its parts are running efficiently.
The cost of a diesel particulate filter replacement can vary greatly depending on engine power and vehicle make. However, the average DPF replacement cost is around £1,000-£2,000 in the UK. However, the usual price range can be between £750-£3,000. The majority of the cost is the material cost for the filter.
When you take your car to a professional garage for a DPF clean, the whole process can take up to 2 hours to complete. An expert mechanic can put your DPF through a process called forced regeneration. During this process, a mechanic will be able to burn away the soot particles in your diesel particulate filter.
clean it! A diesel particulate filter is a device that traps unburned carbon particles, commonly known as fine particulate matter. These pollutants are produced during normal engine operation and the role of the particulate filter is to clean them out.
For on-highway vehicles, the DPF should be pulled off for its first cleaning after 150,000 to 200,000 miles, and then every 100,000 miles after that for preventive maintenance cleaning, Anderson notes.
Many mechanics advise having your DPF cleaned every 6-9 months to keep it operating at optimal levels, though you may need to clean it more or less frequently depending on your driving habits.
Newer vehicles today perform automatic active DPF regeneration when the filter reaches a certain capacity of around 45%. The automatic DPF regeneration also happens for every 300 miles driven. The process lasts for about 10 minutes.
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.
Nevertheless, a general rule of thumb to follow is that you should run the engine at least 40 mph and at least 2500 rpm. Ignoring the DPF light, or failing to clear the blockage in a timely manner, will lead to continued soot build up in the DPF.
The filter regeneration is automatically triggered by the engine control unit after a driving distance between 300 and 1000 km.
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.
If your DPF is blocked, your engine will have to work harder to expel exhaust gases, reducing available power and increasing fuel consumption. To bring your engine efficiency back to normal levels, you will need to clean your DPF filter, so consider DPF cleaning in the UK if you notice any of these symptoms.
DPF, especially when clogged, affects airflow and causes delays in the exhaust process. Additionally, it affects the overall engine performance and power. When you remove the DPF, fuel flows better into the engine, boosting power generation and pressure. DPF delete is a sure way to increase engine horsepower.
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).
Is premium diesel better for a car's DPF? There is no evidence to suggest that premium diesel makes much difference to the DPF, however running your car with a low tank can cause issues. If your fuel warning light is on, some cars won't start the active regeneration process as it increases fuel consumption.
Unfortunately, the soot (or particulate matter) which has accumulated in the filter leads to clogging and decreases in efficiency. You'll therefore likely come across terms like 'DPF regeneration' or 'burning of the FAP filter' when looking for information about diesel particulate filters.