When soot builds up inside the diesel particulate filter (DPF) to the extent where the vehicle is no longer functional, a forced regen occurs. When this happens, the vehicle must pull over and begin a self-cleaning process that can take up to 40 minutes — time that could have been spent driving.
How often does a diesel Regen?
Diesel engines emit a lot of soot (particulate matter), which can irritate the lungs and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Since 2009, modern diesel cars have been required to incorporate a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) in the exhaust system to prevent soot from entering the atmosphere.
The goal is to reduce particle emissions by 80%, however the technology isn’t without flaws, and our patrols are frequently called to cars with a blocked DPF.
A DPF must be drained on a regular basis to preserve performance.
When the exhaust temperature is high enough, on motorways or fast A-roads, this is normally done passively in a process known as’regeneration.’
- The ash cannot be removed until the DPF is removed from the vehicle and submitted to a specialist for cleaning, but a well maintained DPF should last far over 100,000 miles.
Active regeneration
Because many automobiles don’t get enough use for passive regeneration to operate, automakers include ‘active’ regeneration, in which the engine control software detects that the filter is becoming clogged and injects additional gasoline into the engine to raise the exhaust temperature and initiate regeneration.
Active regeneration occurs every 300 miles or more, depending on how you drive, and takes 5 to 10 minutes to finish. However, if your journey is too short and the regeneration does not complete, this is a problem.
Don’t ignore a warning light
If a warning light indicates that the filter is blocked, you should be able to complete an active regeneration cycle and clear the warning light by driving at speeds of over 40 mph for 10 minutes or so.
If you ignore a DPF warning light and continue to drive in a sluggish, stop/start pattern, soot will build up in the filter, causing it to go into’restricted performance mode,’ which will protect your car from damage.
- They may have to replace the filter in extreme circumstances, which can cost up to £1000 plus labor.
In most circumstances, there is only a short period of time between the DPF becoming partially blocked and the requirement for manual regeneration.
The engine management light may illuminate if there’s a problem with the DPF or the differential pressure sensor, which informs your automobile about its health.
What triggers DPF regeneration?
If your diesel vehicle was built after 2009, it will include a device known as a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). DPFs, which were introduced by carmakers to assist cut exhaust emissions, have an obvious drawback in that they can easily become blocked, resulting in the inconvenience of a breakdown and a possibly expensive repair expense.
While you might think that blocking the exhaust DPF would be difficult, it’s actually a lot easier than you might think with normal driving. A blocked DPF can be caused by frequent short trips, using the improper engine oil, or having problems with other engine components, and the problem is thought to have plagued thousands of drivers since they were first introduced.
To assist you avoid the trouble of a blocked DPF, we’ve put together some additional information on what it is and how to avoid it.
What is a DPF?
The Diesel Particulate Filter was created to assist diesel vehicles in passing increasingly stringent emissions tests. Its job is to capture soot particles produced by diesel combustion and keep them from entering the atmosphere. DPFs, like any other filter, become clogged after a certain number of kilometers and must be cleaned.
What is DPF regeneration?
Instead of cleaning the DPF, professionals refer to it as ‘DPF regeneration,’ because the soot particles are burned out of the filter to’regenerate’ it. When the engine reaches a particular temperature — commonly at highway speeds or throughout a long drive if you’re going slowly — this happens automatically. This is known as passive DPF regeneration since neither the driver nor the vehicle does anything unusual; it just happens.
Why do they go wrong?
If a car spends most of its time being driven around town on short start-stop travels, the exhaust does not get hot enough to burn off the soot, and the DPF does not automatically’regenerate.’
Thankfully, the engine monitors the DPF and will tell the driver if it begins to become clogged; this is usually indicated by a dashboard warning light. The engine management system needs to ‘actively’ regenerate the DPF if the DPF warning light turns on. To allow the regeneration process to take place, you should take your automobile for a drive. When the car is driven at speeds above 40 mph for 10 to 15 minutes, most engine management systems will actively regenerate the DPF. The trapped soot particles in the filter will eventually burn away, and the warning light will turn off. Just remember to stay below the speed limit, as a speeding ticket is the last thing you want!
What happens if my car breaks down due to a blocked DPF?
If the dashboard warning light is ignored, or the DPF is not regenerated by driving on the highway for a long time, the DPF can get increasingly blocked, causing the engine to fall into’safe’ or ‘limp’ mode. At this time, a new dash warning will most likely appear, indicating that the automobile should be taken to a mechanic for repair, which could be costly.
By connecting the engine management system to a diagnostics equipment, the garage may be able to force the DPF regeneration. This usually costs around £250, but it can also cause heat shock to the DPF. Replacement DPFs cost around £1,000, so no matter how late you are for work, it’s not worth it to let yours become clogged.
Also, don’t expect to save money by having the DPF filter removed. While it is technically feasible for the car to continue to function normally without a DPF filter, a missing DPF filter will result in an automatic MOT failure and may void the car’s warranty, resulting in higher repair costs.
What happens if you don’t Regen a truck?
The process of regenerating, or regenerating, the DPF filter is the process of burning the soot deposit inside the filter. If you can’t start a regen, you’ll get trapped in a derate, which will eventually cause the engine to shut down.
Does a regen stop on its own?
A parked regen is managed by the computer system in your truck and simply requires that certain circumstances be met. The procedure should take no more than 45 minutes to an hour. Something is wrong if your parked regen takes longer than this or doesn’t finish. Take your truck to a mechanic as soon as possible to get it looked at.
The idle returning to normal speed, a clear smell of burnt soot coming from the tailpipe, and an increase in temperature on the exhaust components throughout are all evidence that your parked regen has completed successfully.
Can you regen while driving?
There’s never a good time for downtime, especially when it comes unexpectedly. Forced regens are another issue that many fleet drivers overlook.
Consider yourself fortunate if you haven’t yet encountered this problem. When soot builds up inside the diesel particulate filter (DPF) to the extent where the vehicle is no longer functional, a forced regen occurs. When this happens, the vehicle must pull over and begin a self-cleaning process that can take up to 40 minutes — time that could have been spent driving.
Forced regens, on the other hand, do not have to be the prevalent issue that they are for many fleet drivers. Forced regens can be minimized with one easy adjustment, allowing you to keep your rigs in service longer.
Why regens occur in diesel vehicles
It’s critical to comprehend some mechanics in order to gain the upper hand over forced regens. The type of soot buildup that necessitates a regen happens inside the diesel particulate filter, a specific component of the exhaust system (DPF).
DPFs have become prevalent in diesel-powered vehicles in recent years as a technique of reducing pollutants. Medium- and heavy-duty vehicles are required to fulfill tougher emissions regulations as part of the Clean Air Act, particularly Phase 2 enacted by Congress in 2016. To meet the mandate, the industry began installing DPFs on a larger scale, which trap soot inside a vehicle before it can be released into the air, lowering emissions.
This is accomplished by driving exhaust through a porous ceramic wall, which allows vapor to pass but traps pollutants.
What happens during a regen
DPFs clean themselves periodically to avoid clogging by burning off collected soot. The DPF is striving to “regenerate” itself to its original state, which is why the process is called regeneration.
When everything is working properly, regeneration takes place automatically and unnoticeably while the vehicle is in motion. Soot is burned off the DPF as rapidly as it collects, thanks to the heat of the exhaust. Passive regeneration is the term for this.
When the exhaust isn’t hot enough to burn off soot on its own, the vehicle can pump fuel into the DPF, raising the temperature and allowing the soot to be burned away. Active regeneration, as opposed to passive regeneration, is usually unnoticeable by the driver.
When normal regeneration is insufficient to burn away soot, danger ensues. A forced regen is required in these circumstances, and the motorist must pull over and wait while the DPF completes a more thorough self-cleaning operation. Failure to undertake a forced regen when your vehicle’s indicator system alerts you to do so can result in serious engine damage.
How to reduce forced regens
The good news is that forced regens don’t have to be a constant annoyance if drivers restrict the amount of pollutants entering the DPF from the start.
DPF regeneration can be reduced by using a premium diesel fuel like Cenex Roadmaster XL. Roadmaster XL provides a cleaner, more complete burn thanks to an additive mix designed to match the demands of today’s high-performance diesel engines. Roadmaster XL can assist prevent soot-related difficulties like forced DPF regens by minimizing soot during combustion.
DPFs will likely continue to play a role in the industry for the foreseeable future, with Phase 2 emissions restrictions affecting rigs through model year 2027. Learn how Roadmaster XL helps keep your DPF clean and your operation running smoothly.
How far do I need to drive to clean DPF?
Passive and active regeneration are the two types of regeneration. Passive regeneration occurs more frequently at faster speeds and at higher engine revs.
Most manufacturers recommend that the automobile be driven for more than 15 minutes at a continuous pace in excess of 40mph every few hundred miles to ensure that the regeneration takes place. The filter should be cleared as a result of this.
If the DPF cannot regenerate on its own, the car’s onboard computer will have to intervene to keep the filter from being clogged.
Should diesel cars be driven daily?
No, the Morden Crdi technology diesel engine does not need to be run on a daily basis; instead, it can be used after 15 days of perfect performance, much like a petrol engine. Only if you drive 1500 kilometers per month does a diesel car make sense.
Does AdBlue stop DPF problems?
As the gases flow through the filter, the soot trapped in the DPF begins to clog the filter. This system, however, is not a replacement for a DPF, as automobiles with AdBlue tanks will always have a DPF as part of the overall emissions control system.
How long does Duramax Regen last?
lights turned on, and it was as if they were ticking away like a clock. After 45 minutes, the idle returns to its regular burble. You climb out of your pickup and inhale the wonderful scent of achievement (or burnt soot if this is going as glorious as we imagine). This would be the typical experience for most other operators who use our product for preventative maintenance. Unfortunately, all too often, things do not go as planned.