Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) issues and comments

patman99

The reason a company will remove the core from the DPF section is that when the plate is welded back on, a visual inspection will not reveal the missing DPF.

The emissions test for diesels is smoke only. Garages simply do the same test as for petrol engines, then fail a car that should pass if done correctly. I take my car & van to my local Fire service workshop where they do the MOT correctly. I never get an exhaust emissions print-out because they simply don't do anything other than 3 full revs when the engine is warm.

DPFs take little or nothing out from the exhaust gases these days. When DPFs were launched, diesel fuel was not as advanced as it is now. Low sulphar fuels produce 1% of the soot that fuel from 10 years back did.

DPFs (and CATs) have hampered engine design for years. Even Ford admit that they would be 15 years further along the engine design front if it were not for the need to fit a catalytic converter to their petrol vehicles.

Luckily, I have a Skoda Octavia 1.9TDi. This does not have a DPF.

For those that do, try running on biodiesel. This burns somewhat hotter than regular diesel so will clean-out a clogged DPF a treat.

cepheus

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Personally, I like the DPF. It's nice to drive a diesel car that doesn't stink or blow soot out of it's arse.

And it's nicer to drive behind one as well!

Johnmcl7

Gloomendoom wrote: »

My car has a DPF. I'm a member of a very active owners' forum and, to date, only one member had a problem with the DPF. It was of his own making as he drove the car in limp mode for weeks. Unfortunately, in limp mode the DPF regen process is disabled so the filter clogged solid. Nobody else has reported any problems at all.

Which model of car is that? It certainly isn't typical of a DPF as DPFs are known troublemakers on any car forum I've been on.

Personally, I like the DPF. It's nice to drive a diesel car that doesn't stink or blow soot out of it's arse.

It's not so nice having to hire a car and leave your DPF equipped car at home though because a DPF sensor has failed...again. I can't blame my car for it though instead I blame the stupid EU laws that forced such a fundamentally flawed system onto diesel engines. I very much miss the older VW 1.9 engine which had no DPF, sounded like a tractor and had tremendous turbo lag on the 150 version because without any special treatment the engine never had any problems, it was more efficient and the tax was lower.

John

andygb

patman99 wrote: »

The reason a company will remove the core from the DPF section is that when the plate is welded back on, a visual inspection will not reveal the missing DPF.

The emissions test for diesels is smoke only. Garages simply do the same test as for petrol engines, then fail a car that should pass if done correctly. I take my car & van to my local Fire service workshop where they do the MOT correctly. I never get an exhaust emissions print-out because they simply don't do anything other than 3 full revs when the engine is warm.

DPFs take little or nothing out from the exhaust gases these days. When DPFs were launched, diesel fuel was not as advanced as it is now. Low sulphar fuels produce 1% of the soot that fuel from 10 years back did.

DPFs (and CATs) have hampered engine design for years. Even Ford admit that they would be 15 years further along the engine design front if it were not for the need to fit a catalytic converter to their petrol vehicles.

Luckily, I have a Skoda Octavia 1.9TDi. This does not have a DPF.

For those that do, try running on biodiesel. This burns somewhat hotter than regular diesel so will clean-out a clogged DPF a treat.

What year is your Octavia Patman99, because this may well be one less thing for me to worry about as well.

Gloomendoom

Johnmcl7 wrote: »

Which model of car is that? It certainly isn't typical of a DPF as DPFs are known troublemakers on any car forum I've been on.

Chrysler 300C.

Johnmcl7

andygb wrote: »

What year is your Octavia Patman99, because this may well be one less thing for me to worry about as well.

They have been offering 1.9tdi engines in the Octavia up to fairly recently, it doesn't matter the year as none of them have the dpf. The only problem is while this engine was originally offered in a range of power outputs, latterly it was only available with 105bhp. If that is too low, the older pd 2.0tdi 140 engine didn't have a dpf, there is no clear cut changeover but around 2008 the new version of the engine (the common rail cr) was available which does have a dpf. All the 2.0tdi 170 engines have the dpf.

John

Gloomendoom

Johnmcl7 wrote: »

I very much miss the older VW 1.9 engine which had no DPF, sounded like a tractor and had tremendous turbo lag on the 150 version because without any special treatment the engine never had any problems, it was more efficient and the tax was lower.

John

Yes, my wife had a SEAT with that engine. It was a nasty, noisy and smelly thing though. Good power and excellent economy was its redeeming feature.

pinkteapot

jodun wrote: »

I have an Audi A4 and recently had problems with the particulate filter. My car is still under warranty (just) so the dealer fixed it no problem. I do a fair mix of short town drives and longer ones, but the guy at the dealership advised me to really 'open her out' every couple of weeks. If I remember rightly it says in my book to drive at 2500 revs for 20 minutes every so often to keep it clear.

We've got a Mondeo with a DPF and I'd heard the same advice about 2500rpm for 20 minutes.

In our car, sixth gear at motorway speed is only around 2000rpm, so every so often we drive in fifth instead of sixth to get the higher revs. Not sure if that's necessary or not (I'm betting there's people out there who always drive at less than 2500rpm) but we've never had any trouble with ours.

pinkteapot

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Personally, I like the DPF. It's nice to drive a diesel car that doesn't stink or blow soot out of it's arse.

Although it stinks to high heaven (outside the car) while the regen cycle is running. We once stopped after quite a short motorway trip and interrupted it. Delightful odour.

Bluenose12

I have a Seat 1.4 TDI ecomotive and had issues with the dpf which actually turned out to be a sensor, but then I started reading all the horror stories concerning these filters, luckily my local garage got to the problem fast and only had a bill for £170 including a regeneration. My wife used the car for 2 trips to work 20 mile trip and local driving. I now realise that this car was probably not the correct option for her so have got her a petrol and I will drive the Seat to work and give it a blast on an A road a couple of times a week!
I also discovered that Halfords sell an additive called Halls Diesel Particulate Filter Cleaner and Regenerator that you add to 40 litres of diesel that lowers the burning temperature of the soot and regenerates the filter, it states it helps with urban diving so maybe worth a try £9.99 you are supposed to add it every 3000km. I am trying out so will report back in a few months.