Learn More About DPFs - FAQs & Information On the Cleaning Process
A DPF Filters Particulate Matter Left from the Combustion Process in the Cylinder (SOOT) by Forcing That Exhaust to Pass Through the Pores in Ceramic:
The Cleaning Process
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- DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) or DOC (Diesel Oxidation Catalyst) is physically inspected for damage or cracks.
- Part and serial numbers are recorded. Restriction measured on flow bench.
- DPF or DOC is installed in the cleaning machine for the pneumatic cleaning process.
- This process takes 22 minutes. During the first 4 minutes, technician watches and can see most internal failures during the diagnostic portion of the machine process.
- DPF or DOC goes back to the flow bench.
- The restriction is compared to a chart by part number for what the restriction could be. At this point, we will either get:
- Not enough restriction, indicating a failed filter,
- A green tag, which is good enough to put back on the truck and within 10% of new,
- A yellow tag, which could be put back on the truck but it SHOULD be baked, or
- A red tag, which need to be baked.
- IF it needs to be baked, the filter goes in the oven.
- The oven basically performs a regen on the filter and warms slowly to 1128 degrees, where it sits for 4 hours. It then turns off, and slowly cools off. Slow temp changes prevent damage. Total bake process takes about 16 hours.
- After it's baked, filter goes back to the pneumatic cleaner, more ash ALWAYS comes out after a bake. Some companies will specify to do a bake for this reason, every time their filter is out. The cleaner that filter comes out, the longer it will last before it needs to be cleaned again.
- After the second pneumatic cleaning, restriction is measured again and compared to the red, yellow, or green charts. At this point, green goes back on the truck, yellow CAN go back on the truck, but it's recommended to consider replacing that filter. Red must be replaced.
Frequently Asked Questions
A regeneration is the process of that DPF heating up to clean itself. Hydrocarbon particles (SOOT) evaporate into a gas at approximately 750 degrees F, and then pass through the filter and exit the tailpipe.
Diesel oxidation catalyst, basically a catalytic converter. It uses precious metals to heat the exhaust.
After the exhaust is filtered, diesel exhaust fluid, or urea, is added to the exhaust to chemically treat it. That chemical reaction changes the exhaust makeup to be more environmentally friendly.
This is another catalyst that slows the exhaust flow and ensure mixing of urea with exhaust to allow the chemical reaction to happen.
- If you bring to us - $259 for pneumatic cleaning and $400 for pneumatic + thermal (if it needs to be baked)
- NOBODY in Denver Metro that has the FSX equipment is cheaper!
- We are so confident in our machine's ability that if you have your filter cleaned by anyone else's machine and bring it to us immediately after (before reinstalling it), we will clean your filter for FREE while you watch and you'll be able to SEE the difference *limit one FREE cleaning per customer.
Ash is left in the DPF, ash is what's left from non-hydrocarbons (synthetics) burning. Ash is always a byproduct of the additives of fuel and engine oil, and coolant if you get coolant in the exhaust.
** We ALWAYS recommend that if you're cleaning your DPF, you clean the DOC as well.
If we clean your DPF, we will clean your DOC at the same time, for free. If the DOC is brought in by itself or separately, there will be a separate charge.
We also recommend that after installing or cleaning a DPF, make sure a regeneration is run, and temperatures are watched with a diagnostic tool to ensure the system is operating correctly. Temperature should always increase across the DOC (catalyst), decrease across the DPF surface, and reach approximately 1100 degrees on the DPF outlet.
PLEASE NOTE: If DPF or DOC are wet from fuel, oil, or coolant, they cannot be cleaned and must be replaced.