1. Follow the DPF manufacturer’s cleaning schedule – Using the manufacturer’s recommendations as a starting point is the safest bet. If you are finding your DPFs are requiring frequent manual regeneration or clogging before that period ends, you should check for proper engine function.
If the engine is functioning within proper parameters, then the clogging maybe be a function of duty cycle, and you will need to shorten the interval between inspections and cleanings.
2. Do not rely solely on the warning light or regeneration to maintain your DPF – Many people mistakenly believe that “regeneration” and “cleaning” are identical. They are not. This misconception is often made worse by some marketing hype claiming “self-cleaning DPFs,” when there is really no such thing.
The function of DPF “regeneration” is similar to the “cleaning” cycle in your kitchen stove, where the oven burns off remnants of food and appears clean afterwards. However, this cycle still leaves remnants of ash at the bottom of the stove, which you have to clean out later after several burn cycles.
This is similar to DPF regeneration, which burns off the majority of contaminants, but still leaves ash and unburnt residue inside the DPF, which only a thorough off-equipment cleaning can remove.
3. If you have to replace or exchange DPFs, beware of “remanufactured” units – The term “remanufactured” is improperly used when it comes to DPFs. Unlike typical remanufactured parts (teardown, inspection, replacement of worn parts), DPFs are sealed (welded) units with no “wear parts,” and there is technically no way to remanufacture them at this time.
“Remanufactured” DPFs are typically units that either failed or were close to failing inspection for reuse (due to damage or structural problems) and turned-in as core exchanges for new DPFs. These units are then cleaned, repackaged and deceptively sold as “remanufactured.”
Clean Diesel Technologies (www.cdti.com) is a global vehicle emissions control system provider focusing on heavy duty and light duty diesel pollution control.
