The current high emission’s standards are great for the environment, but they are confusing to diesel truck owners who are not sure what to do when it comes to their diesel particulate filter (DPF). If they do nothing then they face an eight thousand dollar repair bill when the entire exhaust and emission’s system has to be replaced due to damage done by a clogged DPF. The emission’s system is supposed to “regenerate” or clean the filter by increasing heat to the DPF to burn up excess soot, but it doesn’t always work very well. Thankfully, diesel truck owners have a few options when it comes to DPF cleaning.

Deciding Whether or Not to Extract the DPF

Before removing your DPF, check your region’s laws considering emissions. Some do not allow vehicle owners to do the cleaning of their DPF themselves. When a diesel truck’s emissions are tested, the truck might fail if the cleaning procedure was not done properly. Or, if there are any signs that the filter is no longer in a standard operating positions, it is an automatic fail of the emission’s test. This means that removing your DPF can mean your vehicle is no longer legal for road driving. So, always check before you proceed with any DPF cleaning procedure, and consider having a professional do the procedure if you have any doubts.

Buy an Adapter Kit

If you decide to go ahead with the cleaning yourself then you might choose a DPF rebuild adapter kit. Some auto parts stores and dealerships sell adapter kits, which make regular cleaning of the DPF easier. The DPF housing has to be cut away from the original inlet welded to install the adapter though. The new piece is a weld-free unit allowing the filter to be serviceable. The welded connection holding the DPF housing is one thing that safety inspectors check for when testing your emission’s system. If it isn’t present then your vehicle automatically fails inspection. So, as mentioned above, make sure it is legal where you live before you try installing an adapter kit.

Special DPF Cleaners

There are basically two kinds of cleaners made for DPF’s. One kind is put in to the fuel as a special additive, and the other kind is applied directly to the DPF. The DPF additives that are put in to the fuel mostly burn up during combustion. Little of their cleaning agents remain to help the DPF be free of soot. The kind that is applied directly to the DPF requires that it is completely removed from its housing. Sometimes, this kind of cleaner is the only way to help a completely blocked DPF. DPF fuel additive cleaners only work to help prevent a build up of soot, but there is nothing that they can do to help when it is completely blocked. In other words, they are mostly a waste of money.

Power Washing

Another method of cleaning helps some by itself but better when used in conjunction with a cleaner. The DPF has to be removed then washed with a high pressure power washer. The soot can be quite embedded in the filter, so sometimes, it has to be power washed then soaked for a while in a cleaning solution and power washed again.

Professional Cleaning

Professional DPF cleaning is the easiest method out of all of these. Having a professional, like Anosonics.com, to do the job not only ensures that your vehicle will pass inspection but also guarantees that the job will be done right.

Article By Lauren Williamson