TerraClean DPF Cleaning at Lansdowne Motors | Catering for Oldham Royton Rochdale

A diesel particulate filter (DPF) is a device which sits within a vehicle’s exhaust system and is designed to “capture” soot/diesel particles to reduce harmful emissions into our towns and cities. It became legal for vehicle manufacturers (VMs) to fit DPFs to all vehicles when “Euro 5” emissions standards came into force in 2009, although many VMs did fit them prior to 2009.

DPFs self-clean through a process called “regeneration”, this happens under certain diving conditions and the particles are emitted leaving only a small ash residue. Sensors in the DPF unit communicate with the vehicles central computer (ECU) to determine when to clean – regenerate the DPF.

So what’s the problem?

For a wide variety of reasons DPFs do not always regenerate when they should, this may be due to driving style or conditions or for technical reasons. As the DPF fills up a warning light is shown on the dashboard , if the problem is not addressed the vehicle’s performance will deplete, the vehicle may go into “limp mode” and become unusable until the issue is resolved.

How can TerraClean help?

A standard Diesel TerraClean service will help to remove particles from your DPF as part of a preventative maintenance programme. But when the device is too blocked there is a specific tool within the TerraClean range to remove the accumulated particles. This service is available from almost all of our TerraClean Service Centres and mobile engineers. TerraClean engineers who carry our DPF cleans have our full technical support and that of our network and there is regular training specifically related to DPF technology available, to ensure they are highly competent is diagnosing problems and identifying the correct resolutions.

There are companies who will offer to remove the DPF, but it is illegal to remove it and use the vehicle on a public highway, the fines are high and subsequent replacement is expensive. Fitting a new DPF is expensive and cheaper aftermarket units are sub-standard and will develop blockages earlier than the vehicle manufacturer’s specification, so keeping the one you have healthy and clean is important.

DPF’s can become blocked with Ash and Oil which a standard TerraClean service will not remove. There are “off-vehicle” solutions which will remove oil and ash from otherwise heathy DPFs. The whole TerraClean service centre network has access to this facility. This service involves removal of the DPF device from your vehicle for a few days whilst the unit is cleaned via a national service facility. With replacement DPFs costing up to £1000 for standard family vehicles and even more for higher specification vehicles the ability to investigate cleaning options is extremely worthwhile. Contact Lansdowne Motors for more Information.