How to clean a diesel particulate filter

Pollution of various kinds can adversely affect the operation of the car and its individual components. How to clean the particulate filter at home.

Principle of operation

Diesel engines are becoming more and more popular. In 2011, European emissions regulations tightened, requiring manufacturers to install particulate filters on diesel vehicles. In perfect condition, the diesel particulate filter cleans almost 100 exhaust gases.

The principle of operation of the filter is quite simple: the soot resulting from the operation of the engine accumulates in the catalyst and burns out. Combustion occurs in the regeneration mode, when the fuel injection is increased, as a result of which the remains of these particles are burned.

Signs of contamination

The particulate filter has its own outlet. Soot itself is formed as a result of the combustion of diesel fuel and air, it settles on the filter honeycombs. After that, afterburning of hydrocarbons occurs, as a result of which resins are formed. Then they stick together, which leads to clogging of the filter. The main reasons for refusal are:

• use of fuel with a large amount of harmful impurities or low-quality fuel;
• use of low-quality motor oil;
• mechanical damage, including blows from below the car or collision;
• incorrect regeneration or the impossibility of its implementation.

The following factors may indicate a deterioration in the performance of the particulate filter:

• the car began to start worse, or did not start at all;
• increases fuel consumption;
• the appearance of an unpleasant smell in the car;
• the color of the smoke from the exhaust pipe changes;
• the fault indicator lights up.

Note! Experts advise to carry out diagnostics at least 2 times a year.

For each brand of car, there is special software that is installed on a laptop. With the help of the program, the car owner can check the condition of the engine and the car as a whole. In the absence of such an opportunity, the test can be performed at any diagnostic center.

The particulate filter may be completely worn out and mechanically broken, or simply clogged with burnt particles. In the first case, the filter must be replaced, and in the other it can be cleaned. The particulate filter can be cleaned both by specialists and with your own hands.

Use of additives

When figuring out how to clean the particulate filter at home, it should be noted that a regeneration mode is provided to combat pollution. To do this, the engine needs to warm up above 500 degrees, and the electronic system will increase the fuel supply. As a result, the residues in the filter will burn out.

In modern road conditions, achieving such heating is quite problematic. Therefore, you can use the services of gas stations, where the car is accelerated to the optimum speed.

You should also use special additives that are added to the gas tank and clean the particulate filter while driving. Additives must be filled every 2-3 thousand km. Experts do not advise mixing different types of additives.

Note! Manual cleaning of the filter can be done by disassembling it or cleaning it directly in the car. The first method will lead to a complete cleaning, but it is labor-intensive and time-consuming.

With dismantling

Disassembly can be complicated by the fact that the mounting bolts will have to be carefully cut off and then replaced with new ones. After disassembly, inspect for mechanical damage. After that, a special cleaning liquid is taken, poured into the filter and the technological holes are clogged. You can also immerse the filter in a container and simply pour the liquid.

Then read the instructions. As a rule, cleaning takes 8-10 hours. Only quality petroleum-based fluids should be used. On average, 1 full 5-liter jar is needed. After that, the particulate filter is washed with water and dried thoroughly. When installing, it is better to coat the joints with sealant. After installation is complete, start the engine and warm it up. The remaining liquid will come out as vapor.

Additional Methods

There are also two ways to clean the particulate filter at home. Fundamentally they do not differ, only one is a little faster. To prevent fire, use alkaline-water mixtures, as well as special cleaning liquids. It will take about 1 liter of cleaning fluid and about 0,5 liters of detergent.

It is necessary to warm up the engine and call the overpass. Using a pressure gun, pour the cleaning liquid into the hole. To do this, unscrew the temperature sensor or pressure sensor. After that, you need to install the sensors in their places and drive the car for about 10 minutes. During this time, the soot will dissolve. Then it is necessary to drain the washing liquid and fill in the washing in the same way.

Then it is necessary to unscrew the temperature sensor or the pressure sensor and use the injection gun to fill in the cleaning liquid. It should be washed for about 10 minutes, with short injections of 10 seconds, trying to get into all hard-to-reach places. There should be gaps between injections. Then you need to close the hole, repeat the procedure after 10 minutes. After that, you need to use washing liquid. Cleaning is over, it remains only to start the car and wait for the end of the regeneration mode.

Made! The car owner must understand that cleaning the diesel particulate filter is not a panacea. The filter is designed for a mileage of 150-200 thousand km with proper operation.

In order for the particle engine to last longer, you need to follow simple rules:

• use only high-quality diesel fuel and engine oil;
• use suitable soot burning additives;
• wait for the end of the regeneration and do not turn off the engine earlier;
• avoid bumps and collisions.
• be examined at least 2 times a year.

After cleaning the particulate filter, the car will have lower fuel consumption, the engine will work much more responsively, and the amount of exhaust gases will decrease. Proper maintenance of your diesel particulate filter will extend the life of your vehicle and also protect the environment from harmful exhaust emissions.