Do you need a diesel particulate filter cleaning Wiltshire? Come to Povtec - DPF cleaning specialists

Povtec was created in 2020 by Tom and Steve Povey, who brought expertise from various areas of the automotive industry to the table.

For the past three years, Tom has been running his own profitable business, specialising in a wide range of car repair and tuning services. He started his career as a vehicle diagnostic and air conditioning mechanic before moving into the fast growing disciplines of carbon cleaning and car tuning and remapping.

Tom has had the fantastic privilege of witnessing both businesses flourish and collaborate with significant corporations as a Tec4 carbon cleaning specialist and an Avon tuning approved agent, joining a recognised network of 150 agents globally.

Steve began his career as a mechanic and worked his way up through the ranks of the shop, eventually becoming a Service Manager and then a Snap-on and Tool Truck Business Development Manager. Steve has seen these firms grow and expand, as well as important technology and research and development advancements.

If you are having any problems with your DPF or have any other issues swith your vehicle, please do not hesitate to give us a call 

Other services we perform are performance and re-mapping, carbon cleaning, vehicle diagnostics, air conditioning, servicing and breakdown service.

What is a diesel particulate filter?

 

A diesel particulate filter (DPF) is a filter that catches and stores exhaust soot (also known as soot traps) in order to minimise diesel vehicle emissions.

However, because they have a limited capacity, this trapped soot must be cleaned or 'burned off' on a regular basis in order to regenerate the DPF. This is called "DPF cleaning" or "DPF regeneration".

This regeneration process effectively burns off the excess soot accumulated in the DPF, lowering harmful exhaust emissions and preventing the tell-tale black smoke associated with diesel vehicles, especially while accelerating.

DPFs were made required by Euro 5 exhaust emissions law, which was adopted in 2009 to assist reduce automotive CO2 emissions. Since then, nearly one out of every two new cars has been diesel-powered.

It's against the law to remove your DPF. If detected, owners face fines of up to £1,000 for cars and £2,500 for vans, and removing a DPF might make your motor insurance policy worthless.

An orange light will normally display on the dashboard if the DPF becomes clogged with soot or if a malfunction develops in the system. They normally have a piped box with dots in the middle, however this might vary slightly depending on the manufacturer - consult your guide for additional information.

Blocked diesel particle filters are most commonly caused by short trips at low speeds. This is why vehicle manufacturers frequently advise city-bound short-trip drivers to opt for a petrol car rather than a diesel (and why diesels are a rarity in the city car sector).

Poor servicing can be really bad for a DPF. A poorly serviced DPF may fail sooner than a well-maintained one, but they should last at least 100,000 miles in most cases.

It's also crucial to use the correct oil; some oils have additives that can actually clog filters.

A DPF can be damaged by performance upgrades, bad-quality fuel, and even driving the car on a low fuel level regularly, as the automobile may forego DPF regeneration to conserve fuel.

 

What is DPF regeneration?

The easiest way to keep a DPF efficient and working is to make sure it can regenerate itself when it's clogged with soot; a warning light will appear.

Passive and active regeneration are the two types of DPF regeneration which will work automatically.

Passive regeneration - Passive regeneration happens when the car is travelling at a high speed on a long highway drive, allowing the exhaust temperature to rise to a greater level, allowing the excess soot in the DPF to be burned off cleanly. To help clear the DPF, drivers should give their diesel vehicle a solid 30 to 50 minute run at sustained speed on a motorway or A-road on a frequent basis.

Active regeneration - Active regeneration is when a filter hits a predetermined limit (usually around 45 percent), more fuel is injected automatically as part of the vehicle's ECU to increase the temperature of the exhaust which in turn, burns off the soot.

However, if the journey is too short, problems may arise since the regeneration process may not be completed completely.

In this instance, the warning light will remain illuminated, indicating that the DPF is still partially clogged.

In that instance, completing a regeneration cycle and clearing the warning signal should be doable by driving for 10 minutes or more at speeds greater than 40mph.

There will be a change in the engine, colling fans will be running, there will be a little rise in fuel consumption, increased idling speed, deactivation of auto start/stop, and a hot, acrid smell will come from the exhaust if active regeneration is taking place.

 

What do I do if my DPF stops automatic regeneration?

If your warning light remains illuminated, goes red, or other DPF lights illuminate, don't wait too long to have it looked out. This can result in greater damage, and what could have been a cheap fix can turn into something much more costly.

In a procedure known as forced regeneration, some garages can clean blocked DPFs. This normally costs around £100 and, while it's not a 100% sure remedy, it usually succeeds in removing the excess soot and allowing the DPF to work and regenerate automatically again.  It is recommeded to use a DPF specialist for your DPF cleaning because to properly clean a DPF, you need specialist equipment and skill.

Most diesel particulate filter troubles are caused by a failure to regenerate properly: the filters become blocked, which raises exhaust emissions, stifles engine performance, and occasionally even puts the car into a restricted 'limp-home mode.'

On some models, the engine may not restart after a certain number of miles – reference your owner's manual for more information. As a result, modern diesel automobile owners must be aware of the need of keeping their diesel particulate filter clean through their driving habits and practises.

Please note: 

Since February 2014, the MOT test has included a check of the DPF. The car will fail its MOT if a DPF has been removed.

When your DPF is removed, the warning light may come on and this is a MOT failing point. No dashboard warning lights should remain illuminated during an MOT.

If you have this warning light showing and it does not go away on its own, please contact us to book your DPF cleaning appointment today.  You can reach Povtec by telephone or email

 

How much does it cost for a DPF clean?

Your car's DPF may become blocked over time as a result of soot buildup. If this happens, a DPF clean or flush may be required. This necessitates the inspection of the DPF by a professional mechanic or DPF specialist, as well as the determination of the cause of blockages and the cleaning of the filter.

DPF cleaning (also known as flushing) is a relatively straightforward procedure when done as part of periodic maintenance. If there isn't already a problem or obstruction, such as with the DPF.

If your car does not regenerate actively or passively, you may need to force regeneration.

Forced regeneration - The blocked DPF must be cleaned by the garage or a DPF specialist. For a simple job or as part of routine maintenance, this will cost between £85 and £100. It can cost as much as £300 if your filter is broken or has another severe problem that needs to be fixed.

 

Can I clean my DPF filter myself?

When a DPF becomes clogged, you may usually clear it out by driving the DPF clean. 

 

When driving a long distance, the car usually performs this automatically, but many cars require a little extra assistance.

For starters, it's important to be aware that manufacturers are being pressured to meet ever-increasing emissions standards. 

Various solutions are being researched for this without affecting the car's power, for example. 

 

 

However, there are certain disadvantages to these improvements. Internal pollution is one such example. Because exhaust gases pass through the circuit several times before being emitted, the DPF, the EGR valve, and the turbo, among other things, become heavily polluted.

It's not always possible to intervene before it is too late. If this happens, it is best to find a way to clean the DPF. After all, replacing is a very costly endeavour. The diesel particulate filter can be cleaned in two ways. You can hire a skilled company to clean it for you. 

It's a lot less expensive than changing the particulate filter, but it's still a big investment. Another alternative is to use an additive to clean it yourself.

 

You may clean your DPF yourself using products such as Lindemann's Total Care Diesel. 

This substance decreases the temperature at which soot burns, making it simpler to burn. It also has a high concentration of active cleaning ingredients.

Using products such as this won't provide a permanent solution but it can help matters, this is why it is recommended to use a DPF specialist for your DPF cleaning. This will ensure the work is done properly and will bring the best results. Call Povtec now to book your DPF cleaning appointment.

 

 

Is it worth getting DPF cleaned?

A DPF cannot function correctly if the soot captured by it is not cleared on a regular basis. As a result, a large amount of soot accumulates. The excess soot is burnt off when the DPF is cleaned. This reduces harmful emissions and the amount of black smoke produced by your vehicle.

When it comes to DPFs, prevention is unquestionably better than cure. After catching a blocked DPF in one of my vans, I narrowly avoided the horrors of vehicle repair and replacement.

Learn from my mistakes and have your DPF cleaned to avoid future diesel vehicle troubles. Furthermore, cleaning your vehicle's DPF can improve the performance, resale value, and useful life of your vehicle.

If your DPF warning light is illuminated, there's no need to contact the RAC or AA. As previously stated, it can occasionally be resolved by taking a lengthy drive; if this does not work, take your automobile to a mechanic.

Remember that the orange DPF warning lights are merely advisory; red warning lights, on the other hand, demand immediate attention and frequently compel you to stop the vehicle as soon as feasible.

 

How often does a DPF need cleaning?

Trucks' diesel engines can emit harmful emissions. Fortunately, a diesel particulate filter is in place to prevent those emissions from causing significant damage (DPF). 

A DPF will catch the soot coming from the engine. Cleaning the DPF on a regular basis is required to keep it operational. 

 

 

 

 

Soot in the DPF should be cleaned out every six months, according to some manufacturers. Some versions, on the other hand, can go longer between cleanings. Some suppliers may give you a mileage recommendation, saying that you should clean your car every 200,000 miles.

 

 

The quality of your engine even influences how often you should have your DPF cleaned. If the DPF is not kept clean, it will stop working properly with time.

DPF cleaning needs to be performed on a regular basis to keep the vehicle and its components in good working order. If you do not clean your DPF at least once a year then you may be liable for huge driving fines.

Consult your manufacturer for suggestions on how frequently you should clean your diesel particulate filter. Understanding the symptoms that it's time to clean the filter is also beneficial.

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