This also means that if a car with a DPF is producing noticeable smoke, the DPF is very likely to have been removed or damaged. Black smoke is not the only smoke you might see from a diesel tailpipe - especially on a cold morning, you may well have seen white smoke.
Firstly, if you don't have the software to enable the car to function without the DPF it won't run at all. That said if you have the software to do so, yes your car will smoke, possibly a lot of smoke. But you will also likely get a modest bump in fuel economy and power (or throttle response).
If a filter has been removed, the car will fail its MOT. Removing the DPF will sometimes cause the warning light to glow – and this itself is an MOT failure point: no dashboard warning lights should remain on during the test.
One of the most critical issues is the increased risk of engine damage leading to higher maintenance costs and truck repairs. Without the DPF filter in place, diesel engines accumulated soot and other particulates can build up on engine components and cause excessive wear to trucks.
In a Diesel engine with a Diesel particulate filter (DPF) system, high-sulfur fuel causes white smoke containing odorous and harmful pollutants during DPF regeneration.
If you are noticing black smoke coming out of your diesel car then the chances are this is due to soot build up or the diesel particulate filter (DPF) cleaning itself. This could also result in a warning light flashing on your dashboard.
Billowing black smoke is generally a sign that the fuel-air ratio in your engine is too rich. This means that the fuel injectors are either adding too much fuel or that the intake valves aren't letting enough air in. This could be caused by a leaking fuel injector, a faulty fuel pressure regulator, or a bad air filter.
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.
DPF BENEFITS
Better fuel economy: Fuel economy is a big winner after deleting the DPF. Not only will a vehicle conserve the fuel that is utilized by the filter for regenerative purposes, but a cleaner running engine is also an engine that runs more efficiently.
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.
DPF removal is quite straight forward. We simply remove the DPF from your vehicle's exhaust system and disable any DPF functions on your ECU. All of these steps are reversible should you wish to re-fit the DPF in future.
Once the physical filter removal has been completed the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) is reprogrammed (Remapped) and any DPF related structures removed from the vehicles software. This will prevent the vehicle from sensing the missing filter and will prevent future DPF regeneration and DPF related warning lights.
Drilling holes in substrates of diesel particulate filters to make exhaust gases flow more freely through the honeycomb structures. This defeats the purpose of the DPF, which is to remove soot from the exhaust, and affects reliability of the devices, noted Kevin Otto, service director for Cummins Emissions Solutions.
Most common causes of black smoke from diesel engine include: Dirty air filter. Black smoke indicates that the fuel is not burned properly. The internal combustion process in diesel cars requires a certain mixture of fuel and air.
However, EGR system deletes are not how you roll coal. You get black smoke from incomplete combustion because the excess fuel in the engine causes the black smoke. Deleting the EGR system does not cause incomplete combustion. Therefore, it will not change the color of the exhaust.
How long does the regeneration take? 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.
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.
Loss of Power
A blocked DPF will prevent your engine from venting exhaust gases, meaning that your engine cannot cycle properly, reducing the power output and acceleration.
As a functioning DPF is vital for a functioning exhaust system, blockages can have knock-on effects that cause your engine to perform poorly. If your engine cannot easily vent exhaust because of a blocked DPF, then it will struggle to cycle, reducing the power output and acceleration of your vehicle in extreme cases.
There are three key benefits associated with DPF delete: more engine power, better fuel economy, and reduced maintenance costs. More power: After deleting the DPF, most owners report a better performing, faster responding engine. Better fuel economy: Fuel economy is a big winner after deleting the DPF.
After a diesel delete is completed, the soot-clogging issues are eliminated. There may also be performance improvements such as an increase in torque/horsepower as well as an improvement in fuel economy. These positive changes can depend on the tuner, the after-market software, and the engine hardware.
However, if you see a continuous stream of black smoke pouring from your exhaust, it's best to stop driving and get expert help. Driving while your gasoline or diesel fuel car emits black smoke can cause further damage to the combustion chamber, fuel pump, and more.
Regular maintenance and the use of the right oil for the application can prevent premature engine wear and deposits that contribute to black smoke. Fuel injector nozzles may need to be cleaned or replaced. Air cleaners may need to be checked and cleaned or replaced as necessary.
The car's computer system calculates the correct amount of fuel to supply in relation to this amount of air, so if the turbocharger is damaged or there is a 'boost leak' from a pipe (and some of the air is escaping before combustion), this could result in over fuelling and black exhaust smoke.