If you own a diesel vehicle, there’s a strong chance a diesel particulate filter (DPF) is fitted to the exhaust system. These devices have been a legal requirement on diesel vehicles since 2009 and are designed to remove and store exhaust soot and particles.
Over time, carbon deposits build up in DPF filters and your engine, negatively impacting your vehicle’s power, performance, and environmental impact.
To regenerate your DPF, these carbon deposits require cleaning with professional services or ‘burning off’. If you often make short journeys with frequent stop-start driving, your engine may not reach the temperatures required to burn off carbon deposits, making you more likely to need our mobile DPF cleaning service.
Keep reading to learn what a DPF is, does, and when to have them cleaned.
Vehicle Brands We Offer DPF Cleaning To
We offer DPF cleaning to ALL road-legal diesel vehicles, including:
- Audi
- BMW
- Mercedes-Benz
- Range Rover
Understanding DPF Cleaning
You want what’s best for your car, and so do we. As such, you’ll want to understand what a DPF is, its purpose, and how often you should have it cleaned.
What Is a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)?
A Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) is a filter, usually fitted to a vehicle’s exhaust system, that captures and stores exhaust particles or soot to reduce harmful emissions from diesel cars and carbon buildup in engines. DPFs have been a legal requirement on diesel vehicles since 2009 and help meet European emission standards. It is illegal to remove
What Is DPF Cleaning?
Exhaust soot builds up in DPFs and your engine over time, leading to blockages and a loss of efficiency. As they have a limited capacity, they occasionally require cleaning to restore their filtering performance.
How Long Does DPF Cleaning Take?
Our DPF cleaning service usually takes 90 to 120 minutes. The process is as follows:
- Diagnostic scan of vehicle’s codes.
- Find soot and carbon deposits and back pressure.
- Locate the pressure sensor and check the manual gauge.
- Pump solution into DPF and soak for a minimum of 20 minutes.
- Recheck pressure, pump more solution into the DPF, and run the vehicle at 3000rpm to start cleaning.
- Run stages 1, 2 and 3 again to ensure DPF is clean.
How Often Should I Get My DPF Cleaned?
Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) are vital for maintaining a clean engine by removing soot and ash. Over time, they can lose efficiency, leading to blockages and a negative impact on power, performance, and fuel economy.
How often you should have your DPF cleaned depends on a number of factors. Essex Tuning recommends you use our DPF cleaning service every six months or after driving 75,000 miles (120,000 kilometres).
However, if you often make short journeys with frequent stop-start driving, your engine won’t meet the required temperatures to burn off excess carbon deposits, meaning you may need to clean your DPF more often.
Look out for warning signs and book our service accordingly.
Warning Signs That Your DPF Needs Cleaning
If you frequently engage in short trips and stop-start driving, your engine may not reach the required temperature to burn off excess soot. Look out for warning signs such as:
- DPF warning light
- Black smoke from the exhaust
- The stop-start system not working
- Poor fuel economy
- Excessive cooling fan activity
- Reduced engine power
- Increased regeneration cycles
Benefits Of DPF Cleaning
Carbon deposits have a negative impact on your engine’s power and fuel economy. There are several benefits to DPF cleaning you should know:
- Better fuel economy and engine performance.
- Removes clogging before it gets any worse.
- Reduces black exhaust fumes and emissions
- Avoid replacement part expenses.
- Better filtration reduces the environmental impact of your vehicle.
Book DPF Cleaning With Essex Tuning
Essex Tuning specialises in DPF cleaning, offering convenient mobile DPF cleaning service across Essex, Suffolk, and London. If your diesel vehicle is negatively impacted by carbon deposits in its DPF and engine, or if you’re aiming to ensure a smooth MOT pass, reach out to us. We’ll visit you at your convenience, completing the entire process within 90-120 minutes.
Restore your vehicle’s power, performance, and fuel economy with Essex Tuning’s mobile DPF cleaning service. Contact us today to elevate your driving experience.
