Once you’ve figured out what the causes for DPF failure are, the real question is: how do you detect it? It is good to know that many visible signs show that your DPF is clogged.
Here are some of them:
WARNING LIGHT ON YOUR DASHBOARD
Today, diesel vehicles come with multiple sensors that monitor the efficiency and performance of engines. When they find issues with the performance of your engine they will report them to the computer on your vehicle. That is when the warning signs in orange on your dashboard illuminate.
Even though the sight of the dashboard of your car shining like a Christmas light is unpleasing, it could help you spot DPF-related problems and address them before they become more serious.
INCREASED FUEL CONSUMPTION AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER
An increase in the amount of fuel used is one of the most evident indicators that there is a DPF failure. The primary function of your dpf filter is to eliminate emissions from your car’s engine while trapping soot particles. So, when the DPF has clogged the exhaust gasses are not able to exit the engine as quickly as they should.
The accumulation of exhaust gasses can affect the performance of the engine which causes it to feel weaker. In this instance, drivers typically use gas to boost the engine’s performance. But, this strategy isn’t helping. The engine uses more energy to remove gases that are released from the DPF and leaves less energy to accelerate.
THE ENGINE WON’T START
The build-up of exhaust gasses could stop the engine from getting started. The engine won’t commence until the engine’s pressure lower.
It doesn’t have to necessarily mean bad. This is your vehicle’s strategy to prevent the destruction of your engine and diesel particulate filtration. The next step? Seek out a mechanic as quickly as possible.
TURBOCHARGER PROBLEMS
A blocked DPF can cause a variety of turbocharger problems, such as gas or leaks of oil. In particular, the gas that builds up within the engine is unable to go. That is why it starts leaking right from the turbocharger. This could lead to oil leaks, which can reduce the overall turbocharger efficiency.
DPF MAINTENANCE TIPS
To increase the condition for your diesel particle filter as well as increase its life expectancy You must ensure it’s able regenerate itself when overflowing with soot. Now, there are two main types of DPF regeneration: active and passive.
PASSIVE DPF REGENERATION
Passive regeneration happens at the point that the engine’s temperature gets over 350 degC. These temperatures permit the DPF to expel the build-up of soot, even when the car is used for normal driving.
One of the many benefits of passive regeneration is the fact that this is an automated procedure. It’s not even apparent to a driver. But it is passive DPF regeneration can only be achieved when the engine reaches the required temperature, usually over long distances and at higher speeds.
ACTIVE REGENERATION
As the levels of smoke in the DPF exceed the limit that is 45% pressure sensors record this. That’s the time when the engine management systems activates the injection of raw fuel into the diesel Oxidation catalyst (DOC). In this way, it raises the temperature of exhaust and ensures optimal conditions for active regeneration.
Similar to passive regeneration active regeneration is an automated process. It doesn’t require any effort from the driver. Similar to its passive counterpart, active generation is only feasible when the vehicle is driven for a longer duration and at higher speeds.