Each engine combination and vehicle type has different reasons why diesel soot filters block. The amount of soot generated by your engine, the quality of oil or fuel, the driving style, including the location of the diesel soot filters in your vehicle exhaust system can possibly contribute to the blocking of the filter or not regenerating fully on a regular basis. Soot is unavoidable for diesel engine so using filters is recommended to give your vehicle a smooth run.
Most of the time, the issues come out in town stop driving where regeneration process may not be completed. A warning light or a message indicator will show up on the vehicle’s dash once the diesel particulate soot filter is full. If the driver continues to drive in the exact same manner and did not adjust accordingly the build-up of soot will increase thus another warning light will show up and your vehicle will turn to ‘limp’ mode, then your driving speed will get restricted.
When this warning arises you need to visit a mechanic so forced regeneration will be performed immediately for the filters. Forced regeneration is more expensive compared to other regeneration processes, like active and passive, therefore best to practice cleaning your filters on a regular basis.
Reasons Why Diesel Soot Filters Block
There are many reasons why diesel soot filters block and to give you the avoidable and unavoidable possibilities, read on the enumerated details below:
• Not using the proper oil prescribed for your engine
If you are not using the oil specified on the engine soot build up will significantly increase. This being the case you need to ensure that you seek advice from your vehicle’s manufacturer on the correct oil to use on your engine. Never take the risk of using a cheap oil as expense may be greater in the future.
• Diesel Biofuel
Using 100% diesel biofuel may contribute to the build-up of soot in the filter since biofuel cannot burn as effectively or as clean as other regular diesel fuels available in the market.
• City cycle driving
Not everyone is using their vehicles the same way. Some are using their vehicles for long driving and others limited only around town, if you are using yours only around town expect that soot will build up faster since the regeneration process might not be completed around town driving or in short city. It is recommended that you use your vehicle for long drives from time to time.
• Temperature
The diesel soot filters depend on the temperature to send out filter regeneration, possibly at around 600c, therefore low-speed driving and numerous short trips will not give your vehicle’s exhaust system enough temperature to complete regeneration, hence filter could block up faster. You are not advised to speed up to the maximum yet driving at a normal speed is recommended to avoid vehicle from heating.
• Vehicles with high kilometres
Just like any parts of a vehicle, diesel soot filters do wear out and in the long run may not be able to be repaired. Regeneration becomes harder as the system age even how consistent you are cleaning and emptying filter.
Cleaning and emptying filters are highly recommended to minimise the chances of blocked diesel soot filters. This is your greatest defence to give filters longer life.