DPF Cleaning – Is it Effective?

DPF Cleaning – Is it Effective?

DPF is short for diesel particulate filter, and they are commonly used in diesel engine vehicles to help reduce the emission of black smoke. It is vital to keep your diesel particulate filter clean because if it gets too dirty, it can cause the engine to shut down.

There is a wide range of opinions about whether cleaning the DPF is necessary or not. Some manufacturers recommend that you clean your DPF every 30,000 miles, while other manufacturers suggest cleaning it every 50,000 miles. The frequency of cleaning depends on how much your car is used and where you drive.

However, you can extend the life of your Filter by doing some things to help it last longer, such as:

• Use quality fuel rather than low-quality fuel. If you buy cheap fuel such as diesel from gas stations, you might as well be throwing your money away. This is because low-quality diesel has a high water content and other contaminants, which can cause damage to your DPF filter. For this reason, using quality fuel is very important whether you are driving your car or truck regularly or just trying to get it started once in a while.
• Avoid idling for long periods
• Do not lug your vehicle without good reason.
• Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for maintenance.This will significantly extend the life of your DPF and will keep you out of the dreaded “check engine light”, and potentially save you money.
• Observe your engine’s oil levels
• Have your DPF cleaned every few years or as needed. If you are not comfortable performing an inspection yourself, then have someone inspect your DPF filter and follow their recommendation to clean it promptly. DPF cleaning is something that can help you extend the life of your Filter. For about $300 – $500, you can have a company clean your DPF. This can double or triple the life of your Filter. Most cleaning companies advertise their ability to restore the Filter to a new condition completely. Most can clean your Filter in less than an hour. These companies are also able to perform other services related to diesel certification.

How does it work

The process for cleaning the soot from the DPF is called regeneration. During this process which entails using dpf cleaning equipment, raw diesel fuel is injected into the exhaust manifold to burn off the accumulated soot. The exhaust gas temperature reaches up to 1000 degrees Celsius or more to burn off all the accumulated soot. This cleaning process can go through multiple stages depending on how much soot is accumulated on the DPF. The complete regeneration cycle can take anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours, depending on engine load and exhaust gas temperature.

Benefits of DPF Cleaning

If you have a diesel-powered vehicle, you might be familiar with the benefits of a DPF cleaning. But, if you haven’t, here are some reasons why you might consider getting your DPF cleaned. A clean DPF can:

#1. Improve Fuel Economy and Lower Cost of Ownership

Of course, the most obvious benefit of keeping the DPF clear is that you’ll spend less on fuel. The EPA estimates that emissions from vehicles equipped with DPF cost drivers $310 per year. When the DPF is clogged, vehicle emissions worsen, forcing the engine to work harder to expel those extra pollutants through the tailpipe. Keeping your DPF clean can also lower your vehicle’s maintenance costs and potentially extend the life of your engine.

#2. Save You Money on Maintenance Costs

A clogged DPF can increase your maintenance costs because it prevents the engine from getting the whole performance that it needs. You’ll probably need a lot more repairs and services to keep your vehicle running, which will cost more money in the long run.

#3. Save Fuel

You can also expect to see a drop in the greenhouse gas emissions that come from your vehicle. This is because a clean DPF will reduce soot buildup. In addition, fewer emissions mean less wear on your engine, which should help improve its life expectancy.

#4. Lower Service Costs

DPF cleaning is a relatively cheap service, so if your DPF is clogged, you might want to consider getting it cleaned professionally. Not only will it potentially save you a trip to the repair shop, but it can also cut down your annual maintenance and fuel costs. Claims have even been made that unclogging a DPF can add up to 40% more miles per gallon.

The excellent news is DPF cleaning is an option that many automotive technicians are familiar with and can handle easily. It usually involves high-pressure air washing and sometimes chemical treatment to clean out the DPF. Some DPF cleaning applications use liquid carbon soot products, which are sprayed into the exhaust stream to break up and dissolve the accumulated soot.

#5. Engine Life Improves

Unlike a traditional air filter, which is only designed to trap large particles, your diesel particulate filter (DPF) traps very fine soot. As such, they can get clogged if not cleaned regularly. But if you don’t get your DPF cleaned on time, it can also lead to increased fuel consumption and the need for an engine overhaul.

#6.Removes soot and deposits left behind from poor fuel economy

Ever notice that your car is sluggish and doesn’t seem to get as good gas mileage as you know it can? That’s because the DPF, or diesel particulate filter, is full of carbon. All that carbon acts as a heat sink, keeping the engine running hotter than it should. The result? The engine works harder and has to burn more fuel just to run at normal temperatures. If this seems like a vicious cycle, that’s because it is. That carbon starts accumulating as soon as you start driving your car, but it gets worse every time you drive it under a load. And because it’s not a resettable catalyst, it has to be cleaned out regularly to help your engine run smoothly again

#7.DPF cleaning helps with warranty claims

Your DPF can be a warrant claim issue if it is too clogged. If you are in the market for a car, this may not be an issue. However, if you are the proud owner of a used car, this could be a real problem.

Final Thoughts

Is DPF Cleaning Effective?

Yes, it is. If your car has a DPF, your truck or SUV has something called a catalytic converter. This device works by ensuring all the toxic fumes and harmful gases coming out of your exhaust pipe are cleaned up and converted into less harmful vapours. It’s an investment because if you want to clean it, you will need to hire a professional auto mechanic to come in and get the job done.

Interesting Related Article: “Petrol is cheaper than diesel again in the UK“

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By: Stephanie Ross
Title: DPF Cleaning – Is it Effective?
Sourced From: marketbusinessnews.com/dpf-cleaning-is-it-effective/273927/
Published Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2021 21:24:31 +0000