THE SYMPTOMS OF A BLOCKED DPF

THE SYMPTOMS OF A BLOCKED DPF

Once you’ve figured out what the causes of DPF problems then the question is how to be able to identify it? There are a myriad of indicators that are easily identifiable to suggest that your DPF could be blocked.

Here are some examples:

WARNING LIGHT ON YOUR DASHBOARD

Nowadays, diesel vehicles have multiple sensors that can determine the efficiency and performance of engines. If they detect issues with the engine, they notify the computer in your vehicle. This is the reason why the warning symbols in orange on your dashboard light up.

Although seeing the dashboard of your car glow like the Christmas lights isn’t enjoyable, it can aid you in identifying DPF-related issues and fix them prior to them growing.

INCREASED FUEL CONSUMPTION AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER

A rise in the amount of consumption of fuel is one of the most evident signs of DPF malfunction. The primary purpose of the diesel particulate filter is to eliminate exhaust fumes from your engine, while also capturing soot particles. Therefore, if the DPF is blocked the exhaust gases are unable to escape the engine at the speed they should.

The buildup of exhaust gases affects the efficiency of an engine, making it appear less powerful. In this case, drivers usually use gas to boost the performance of their engine. But, this strategy doesn’t help. Actually the engine consumes more energy in order to remove the gases released by the DPF which results in less energy to accelerate.

THE ENGINE WON’T START

The accumulation of exhaust gases can prevent the engine from starting. The engine will not start until the exhaust gas levels are lower.

However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s bad. This is the method used by vehicles to prevent catastrophic damage to your engine as well as diesel particulate filtering. What’s next? Seek out a mechanic as quickly as you are able.

TURBOCHARGER PROBLEMS

A blocked DPF can cause a variety of turbocharger problems including leaks of oil or gas. For instance, gas that’s building up in the engine is unable to go. This is the reason that it starts to leak out of the turbocharger. This can cause leaks of oil, which could reduce the efficiency of the turbocharger in general.

DPF MAINTENANCE TIPS

To enhance the quality of your diesel particles filter, and to prolong the life of your filter, it is crucial to make sure that it can regenerate itself following a period of saturated soot. There are two basic kinds of DPF regeneration that are active and passive.

PASSIVE DPF REGENERATION

Passive regeneration happens when the temperature of the engine rises which exceed 350 degrees Celsius. This permits the DPF to prevent the build-up of soot even when the vehicle is in normal usage.

One of the biggest advantages of passive regeneration is that it’s completely automated. It’s virtually invisible to a driver. But, the dpf regeneration of the clamps is only feasible when the engine is at the temperature required, typically when driving for long periods and at higher speeds.

ACTIVE REGENERATION

When the levels of soot in the dpf surpass the limit of 45%, the pressure sensors register this. This is the moment that the system for managing the engine initiates the process of adding raw fuel into the diesel catalyst for oxidation (DOC). In this way, it increases the temperature of the exhaust and creates the perfect conditions to activate regeneration.

As with passive regeneration, active regeneration is also an automatic process. It’s not dependent on the driver. Like passive generation, it can be achieved when the vehicle is driven for a longer period of time and at greater speeds.