What is a DPF?
A diesel particulate filter (or DPF) is a device designed to remove diesel particulate matter or soot from the exhaust gas of a diesel engine that could be otherwise harmful to the environment & humans alike.
A DPF or Diesel Particulate Filter is a part within the exhaust system of diesel engines that removes diesel particulate matter or soot (the black stuff that comes out of the exhaust) from the exhaust gas as it flows out of the engine.
The device looks like a big metal container with metal pipes coming out of either end. Inside the DPF are special metals that look like a grate. As exhaust gas flows through the grate soot is left behind. Overtime, or due to incorrect oils or maintenance, your car, truck or van’s DPF can become blocked causing expensive problems.
Diesel particulate filters usually remove 85% or more of the carbon build up in your exhaust and under certain conditions can even remove almost 100% of soot.
DPF’s are designed to burn off the accumulated particulate, either passively, through the use of a catalyst or actively by using a fuel burner which heats the filter to soot combustion temperatures. Active methods to do DPF burn offs are programmed into your engine’s management system by the Manufacturer. When your engine management system recognizes that your DPF is full exhaust temperatures will be raised to burn off the excessive soot build up on the DPF. Some burn off systems also use an extra fuel injector whereby they inject fuel into the exhaust stream, when the fuel enters the stream it ignites burning off the accumulated soot which is then converted into ash. Unfortunately the systems designed to keep your DPF clean and unblocked can be unreliable, ineffective and damaged by poor or incorrect maintenance.
Failure of fuel injectors or turbochargers can result in contamination of your DPF with raw diesel or engine oil thereby damaging the DPF.
