DPF Cleaning

Regeneration of the DPF is when the excess stored soot in the filter, is burnt off reducing harmful exhaust emissions and helps prevent the black plumes of smoke sometimes seen with older diesel vehicles when they accelerate. There are three types of regeneration – two of which are performed with the driver of the vehicle known as Passive and Active. The third is performed by a specialist repairer known as a Dynamic regeneration.

A regeneration involves the heating up of the system of which most of the soot is then expelled through the exhaust as finer particles of harmless ash. However, residual ash will be left behind. Each time a regeneration occurs more particles of ash build up in the system. Over time this will block the DPF and a regeneration will not be possible on any level.

If a regeneration is not possible and the soot level is too high, the DPF will remain blocked. The two options remaining are to either replace the entire DPF system or clean it. Replacing the DPF system can be extremely costly and could cost anywhere from £1,000 up to £3,500.

The cost effective alternative is to clean the DPF itself. This will involve removing the DPF from the exhaust system and performing a treatment process to break down the ash content of the filter. This is shortly followed by flushing through the DPF to remove the remaining ash content in the filter. This will restore the values of the DPF allowing the DPF to be refitted and provide it with a new lease of life.