Diesel Particulate Filter Cleaning

All Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF’s) including on road, off road, and stationary diesel engines, supplied by the factory’s original equipment manufacturers as of 2007, need to be cleaned at regular intervals as small amounts of inert debris, mainly ash and other debris from lubricating oil, engine wear metals, additive and air-induced dust build up in the filter substrate.

To ensure that an optimum level of performance is maintained, the filter must be cleaned. The back pressure monitor will indicate when the filter needs to be cleaned, on average, the filter should be cleaned on a yearly basis. Service also may be required when back pressure exceeds maximum manufacturers recommended limits clearly indicated in all DPF provider service manuals. Premature indicators of potential increased maintenance are: poor fuel economy, reduced power, or slow RPM response.

Historically poor engine performance could be noted by the exhaust i.e. black, blue, or white smoke. With a DPF system installed there is no longer any visible smoke. Some filters may need to be cleaned in shorter intervals depending upon vehicle maintenance and duty cycle.