Exhaust cutout blog

How to clean dpf filter

Author: SPELAB Mechanical Engineer (focusing on car modification for 10 years)

A diesel particulate filter, or DPF, helps reduce the number of dangerous particles that could be released from your truck's diesel exhaust. The filter is made to capture any unburned particles, preventing the air from becoming contaminated and your car from suffering any injury.

But it's incredibly simple for this dust and ash to accumulate in your DPF filter, causing it to function incorrectly or not at all. To make sure this filter is functioning effectively, it is advised that you routinely check and clean it. However, many individuals might not know the best cleaning method for a diesel particulate filter.

Why a DPF filter needs to be cleaned, the best ways to remove ash from a DPF, how to prevent a clog in the first place, how much DPF cleaning costs, and how professional cleaning compares to at-home DIY cleaning are just a few of the questions that can come up when someone mentions "how to clean a DPF filter yourself." With this manual, we aim to allay the doubts and concerns that a seemingly straightforward activity raises.

You must proceed carefully when clearing a blocked DPF filter, which is the first thing you should be aware of. Unfortunately, when cleaning a DPF filter, there are a few frequent mistakes people make that result in costly or permanent damage to the filter. Keep reading to learn more about these errors, how to avoid them, and how to unblock a DPF filter on your own correctly!

Step by Step Guide: How to Clean DPF Filter

Here are five easy steps you can take.

1.Take Out the Filter First

You may have to physically remove the filter from your car to clean your DPF completely. The first step is to remove any surrounding plates and grills, but this could differ from truck to truck. Make sure you set aside any screws, o-rings, nuts, or bolts in a location where you won't misplace them, such as a truck toolbox.

The DPF must be completely removed from the car and given a brief check before being put to the test. This will allow you to assess the filter's obstruction, clogging, and any damage. If you see little to no white or chrome on the filter's surface and if the debris clogging is severe, you'll be able to know if and how to clear a blocked DPF filter.

3.Clean with Compressed Air First

Using high-pressure, compressed air is a fairly popular approach to start cleaning a DPF. A high-pressure cleaning cabinet is the easiest way to do this since it encourages ash to push any obstruction out of the way by forcing pressurized air backflush into the filter. When using compressed air, you must take some crucial safety precautions:

• To determine your "pre-cleaning weight," weigh your DPF if necessary.
• Place the DPF into the blast cabinet with care, then firmly shut the door.
• Turn the device on so that high-pressure air can start being forced into the DPF. To aid in clearing any ash or debris, suction should also be provided at the DPF's base.
• Your filter has to be cleaned once it has been compressed. You might need to repeat this step to get rid of any soot or ash that wasn't completely moved on the initial try.
• After all the cells have been cleared of obstructions, you can take the DPF out of the cabinet and reinstall it in your car.

Use clean water to rinse the filter off after you've effectively cleaned the DPF's surface. But how can a DPF filter be cleaned with water? To properly clean the DPF, it is advised that you use a hose or faucet with a high-pressure nozzle and spray the filter down with a narrow jet. You should observe a jet of dirty water escaping the filter when you've angled the water to shoot out through both ends. Rinse your DPF until the dirty water runs clear.

5. Use a DPF Chemical Cleaner

Finally, using specially formulated DPF chemical cleaning solutions is a very quick and simple technique to clean a diesel particle filter. You won't even have to take the filter out for the majority of these cleaning additives!

You can find two different kinds of chemical cleaners on the market: gasoline additives and spray-on systems.

Fuel additives may typically be poured into the filter without having to remove it, making them perfect for maintaining a filter clear from the inside while it is in operation.

If the filter has already been removed for cleaning, spray-on solutions are advised to give a deeper, more effective cleaning by eliminating trapped particles that water and compressed air failed to remove. Using a chemical cleaner at some point during your at-home DPF cleaning procedure is advised for the greatest results.

6.7 Cummins dpf and EGR delete kit

What is a 6.7 Cummins DPF System?

Diesel particulate filter, or DPF. Diesel particulates are small solid particles that are released into the exhaust gas as a result of burning diesel fuel. These tiny, solid particles are toxic to human health since they are made up of hundreds of different substances. The particles are carcinogenic and can adhere to your lungs.

Oxidation catalysts, sometimes known as DOCs, are found in diesel engines and work similarly to conventional catalytic converters—these aids in cleaning exhaust gases but does not remove these solid particles.

What is EGR Deletes

The EGR system is another essential part of the emissions process. Since 2007, the 6.7 Cummins has had EGR. 5. A valve and a cooler are part of the EGR system. It pulls exhaust gases from the combustion chamber and flows them back through the intake manifold. By causing the gases to be burned, this lowers the amount of emissions-related byproducts.

6.7 Powerstroke DPF Delete

2011 saw the replacement of Ford's 6.4 Powerstroke with the 6.7 Powerstroke as a result of tighter pollution regulations for diesel trucks. Since its debut, it has gone through three successive generations, all of which have been better at reducing emissions. 6.7 Powerstroke emissions systems, on the other hand, frequently fail and are highly expensive to fix.

Duramax LML DPF Delete

In 2011, GM switched from the Duramax LMM to the LML in part because of emissions regulations. One of the LML's new features was the installation of the SCR system and DEF fluid, which according to GM, decreased emissions by over 50%. However, many early model LML vehicles had SCR and DEF issues, which led to high repair costs.