THE SYMPTOMS OF A BLOCKED DPF
Once you’ve figured out what the reasons for DPF issues then the question is how to spot it? There are many indicators that can be easily identified to indicate that your DPF could be blocked.
Here are a fewof them:
WARNING LIGHT ON YOUR DASHBOARD
Today, diesel cars come with multiple sensors that can measure the effectiveness and performance of engines. When they recognize problems with your engine, they report them to the computer running on your vehicle. This is the reason why the warning symbols in orange on your dashboard light up.
Although seeing your car’s dashboard glow as the Christmas lights isn’t an enjoyable experience, it could assist you in identifying problems with the dpf filter and resolving them before they grow.
INCREASED FUEL CONSUMPTION AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER
An increase in the speed in the use of fuel is among of the most apparent signs of DPF malfunction. For starters, the principal function of your diesel particulate filter is to remove exhaust fumes from your engine while capturing soot particles. Thus, when the DPF is blocked and exhaust gasses are not able to exit the engine as quickly as they should.
The buildup of exhaust gases affects the efficiency of an engine, making it appear weaker. In this case, drivers typically employ gas to improve the performance of their engine. However, this approach doesn’t help. Actually the engine requires more energy in order to get rid of the gases released by the DPF that means it uses less energy for acceleration.
THE ENGINE WON’T START
The build-up of exhaust gasses can block the engine from beginning. The engine will not start until the exhaust gas levels are lower.
However, this doesn’t necessarily to mean that it’s that it’s bad. This is the way the vehicle uses to mitigate fatal damage to the engine and diesel particulate filtering. Your next move? Consult a mechanic as soon as you can.
TURBOCHARGER PROBLEMS
A blocked DPF results in a multitude of turbocharger issues, such as leaks in oil or gas. For instance gas accumulating in the engine has nowhere to go. This is the reason why it starts to leak at the source of turbocharger. This can result in leaks of oil which could reduce overall efficiency of the turbocharger.
DPF MAINTENANCE TIPS
To improve the state of your diesel particles filter and to extend the lifespan of its filter it is essential to ensure that it’s able regenerate itself after being saturated with soot. There are two basic kinds of DPF regeneration: passive and active.
PASSIVE DPF REGENERATION
Passive regeneration takes place when the engine’s temperature rises to over 350 degC. This allows the DPF to prevent the build-up of soot even when the car is not in use.
One of the biggest advantages of passive regeneration is that it’s completely automated. It’s almost invisible to a driver. However, dpf clamps ‘ regeneration can only be achieved when the engine is at the temperature required, typically in long drives and at speeds that are higher.
ACTIVE REGENERATION
When the levels of soot present in the DPF go over the limit of 45%, the pressure sensors report this. This is when your engine’s management triggers the process of adding raw fuel to the diesel oxygenation catalyst (DOC). This is how it raises the temperature of the exhaust, and provides the conditions that allow for active regeneration.
As with passive regeneration, active regeneration is also an auto process. It’s not dependent on the driver. Similar to passive generation it is possible to do when the vehicle is driving for a longer amount of time and at higher speeds.